Now You Know

FRIEND
So you've made a mistake
So you're singing the blues
So you'll take some time
Go visit some places

MARY
You've got to be somewhere
Where there's nothing to remind you
Right?

FRIEND
What you need is a break
I'll arrange a nice cruise
You'll relax a bit and
See some new faces

CHARLEY AND MARY
You've got to do something
Only never look behind you

FRIENDS
Right?

Best thing that ever could have happened
Right

So you'll sit in the sun
You'll come back with a tan
Then we'll do that show
You've always been talking

The side is retired
So we start another inning
Right?

On a boat is such fun

You'll come back a changed man

I've had lots of guests and
No one's squawking

CHARLEY AND MARY
Feels like an ending
But it's really a beginning
Right?

FRIENDS
Best thing that ever could have happened
I say, best thing that ever could have happened

Best thing that ever could have happened

One more thing not to think about

FRANK
Right

MARY
All right
Now you know:
Life is crummy
Well, now you know

I mean, big surprise:
People love you and tell you lies
Bricks can tumble from clear blue skies
Put your dimple down
Now you know

Okay, there you go
That's the sum of it
Now you know

It's called flowers wilt
It's called apples rot
It's called thieves get rich
And saints get shot
It's called God don't answer prayers a lot
Okay, now you know

Okay, now you know
Now forget it
Don't fall apart at the seams
It's called letting go your illusions

And don't confuse them with dreams
If the going's slow
Don't regret it
And don't let's go to extremes

It's called, what's your choice?
It's called, count to ten
It's called, burn your bridges
Start again
You should burn them every now and then
Or you'll never grow!

Because now you grow
That's the killer is
Now you grow

All right, nothing's fair
And it's all a plot
And tomorrow doesn't look too hot
Right
You better look at what you've got:

Over here, hello!

Okay, now you know

Right?

FRIENDS
So you'll find a new gal

So you'll write a new play

In a month or two
You're going to thank us

MARY
You may have missed one road
But there's plenty more to follow
Right?

FRIEND
We'll go through the canal
Up the coast to LA..
You'll come see the place
I'm building at Trancas

CHARLEY
You hang around here, pal
And you're only gonna wallow
Right?

FRIENDS
Right!

Best thing that ever could have happened!

MARY
I mean, you'll come back
I mean, what's the fuss?

CHARLEY
I mean, sea and sun and comfort plus

CHARLEY AND MARY
I mean, after all, you've still got us

FRIENDS
Best thing that ever could have happened!
Best thing that ever could have happened!
Best thing that ever could have happened!
It was all getting much too complicated
Best thing that ever could have happened!

FRANK
Right!
You've gotta let go
Gotta do it from scratch
Take a long deep breath
Go back to your sources
A little vacation
Which is all about forgetting
Right?

ALL
Right!

FRANK
Right!
Then we'll do a new show
No, we'll do a whole batch
Maybe one that's all about divorces!
I mean, a divorce court
What a fascinating setting!
Right?

ALL
Right!

FRANK
Right!

ALL
Best thing that ever could have happened
Best thing that ever could have happened
I say, best thing that ever could have happened
It's your time, your time
Yesterday is done
See the pretty countryside
Soon enough you're merrily, merrily
Rolling along
Rolling along
So you'll sit in the sun
You'll come back with a tan
In a month or two
You're going to thank us
It's your time
It's your time

What's your choice?
It's called, count to ten
It's called burn your bridges
Start again
You should burn them every now and then
Or you'll never grow!

Because now you grow
That's the killer
So now you grow

MARY
You're right, nothing's fair
And it's all a plot
And tomorrow doesn't look too hot

ALL
Right, you better look at what you've got:
Over here, hello?
Over here, hello!
Now you know!
Now you know!
Right!
Right!
Right!
Right!
Now you know!