E Circumstances eat themselves A A/Ab F#m The present tense has been B Fill the fancy bowl up A E At the present tense tureen. E I once had a girl, she lived in the past A E It was clear that relationship wouldn't last B It was clear from the way she had to sleep south A E It was clear from the lines around her mouth So I went for a walk in the ravine A E I came upon an unbelievable scene B In a tiny creek there's a tiny boat A E With a tiny man in a tiny coat I said "Hey man, do you think you can help?" A E He said "Of course I can - I'm an elf B We're not just fictional device A E We sail ravines and give advice" I said "My baby is what it's about" A E He cried "Helms a-lee, boy, I'm comin' about B Don't fill me in on right or wrong A E Take these ropes and sing this song" E Circumstances eat themselves A A/Ab F#m The present tense has been B Fill the fancy bowl up A E At the present tense tureen. E His eyes were afire, he lit up a coal A E Handed me a ladle and a little white bowl B Put the pot on the fire, he opened a book A E And said "sit down, the thing's gotta cook" "That's the loveliest pot I've ever seen" A E He said "it's not a pot, it's a tureen B And what's inside will make you well A E So ring this little dinner bell" Then he giggled in french - that's what he did A E Like a kid at Christmas, as he opened the lid B "Help yourself" he beamed with pride A E But there was no sweet soup inside. Silence fell on the cooling night A E I thought I better fake it just to be polite B Smallest friend, biggest moon A E Empty bowl, empty spoon. E Circumstances eat themselves A A/Ab F#m The present tense has been B Fill the fancy bowl up A E At the present tense tureen. E Circumstances eat themselves A A/Ab F#m The present tense has been B Fill the fancy bowl up A E At the present tense tureen.