The Duke of Oklahoma

Well the Duke of Oklahoma’s had a pretty bad year;
he had hoped it would be champagne, but it turned out to be beer,
and he’s alone- he’s alone, and more alone with every day.
And the best years of his life, they feel like they’re just slipping away.

He’s in love with a woman that works at the County Hall.
He flirts with her by e-mail, but she never reads them all,
and she’s alone- she’s alone, and that’s the way she wants to be.
And the Duke of Oklahoma is a passing thing, as far as she can see.

Oh, but trying not to fall in love
is like trying to forget your own name:
It takes all kinds of chemicals,
and lots of time,
and there’s no guarantee that you will ever be the same…

He parks outside her office on the days when she’s at work,
blowing kisses at the windows like a lovestruck jerk,
he’s such a fool: He’s a fool to think this dream is coming true.
In the School of Hard Knocks, he’s got his very own Diploma:
It’s been a bad year for the Duke of Oklahoma.

The Duke of Oklahoma knows his love is all in vain,
he’s eight miles out of town and on the wrong damned train,
she doesn’t care. She’s got her eye on something further down the line.
She never asked for this attention, and his neediness puts shivers down her spine.

Oh, but trying not to fall in love
is like trying to forget your own name.
It takes all kinds of alcohol,
and lots of time,
and there’s no guarantee that you will
ever be the same…

His mental state’s on roller skates, flying down the hill.
He says he’ll swing by your house, but you hope he never will.
He’s such a fool. He’s a fool to think this dream is coming true.
Everything he touches has the same cheap aroma:
It’s been a bad year for the Duke of Oklahoma.