It Should Have Been You Lyrics

Can I believe my ears ?
Is this really you
Pacing the floor with one eye on the door
Watching the winners go through ?
Why do you hang back now ?
Why'd you hesitate ?
You know fires don't burn
For he who waits
Out of all the people
That I ever knew,

If one should have made it
It should have been you

I know who I'm looking for
But I can't believe my eyes
The sight of you with your head hung low
Is a sick sad surprise
Why do you hang back now ?
Why'd you hesitate ?
How dare you throw it all away then tell me
"Aw man, it must have been fate"
Out of all the people
That I ever knew
There had to be one I could believe in
And it should have been you

A gift that dies is a tragic thing
And it happens all the time
But a gift that's wasted, thrown to hell
Is the worst of crimes
I saw you hang back now
I watched you hesitate
You're a well respected man but bullshit !
You could have been great

Out of all the people
That I ever knew
There should have been One !
And it should have been you

Aldridge Road Villas, London August 1982

On "The Waterboys"