Words & music By Paul Simon 1982
|D |
I have a number in my head
|G Am7| G|
Though I don't know why it's there
Am D7 |G |
When numbers get serious
C/E |D/F# |
You see their shape everywhere
D |G |
Dividing and multiplying
Bm7/F# |Em |
Exchanging with ease
C/E |G
When times are mysterious
|Am/C D |G Am|G |
Serious numbers are eager to please
F#7 |B |
Take my address. Take my phone
F#7 |B |
Call me if you can
F#7 |B |
Here's my address. Here's my phone
F#7 |B
Please don't give it to some madman
|F#7 |B
Hey hey, whoa, whoa
|F#7 |B |
it's a complicated life
F#7 |B
Numbers swirling thick and curious
|Em7 |
You can cut them with a knife
|C/E D/F# |G Am/D|
You can cut them with a knife
G |D |
Two times two is twenty-two
|G Am7| G|
Four times four is forty-four
Am D7 |G |
When numbers get serious
C/E |D/F# |
They leave a mark on your door
D |G |
Urgent. Urgent. A telephone
Bm7/F# |Em |
ringing in the hallways
C/E |G
When times are mysterious
|Am/C D |G Am|G |
Serious numbers will speak to us always
F#7 |B |
That is why a man with numbers can
F#7 |B |
put your mind at ease
F#7 |B |
We've got numbers by the trillions
F#7 |B
Here and overseas
|F#7 |B
Hey hey, whoa whoa
|F#7 |B |
Look at the stink about Japan
F#7 |B |
All those numbers waiting patiently
Em7 | |
Don't you understand?
C/E D/F# |G Am/D|G |
Don't you understand?
|D |
So wrap me, wrap me, wrap me do
|G Am7| G|
In the shelter of your arms
Am D7 |G |
I am ever your volunteer
C/E |D/F# |
I won't do you any harm
D |G |
I will love innumerably
Bm7/F# |Em |
You can count on my word
C/E |G
When times are mysterious
|Am/C D |G |
Serious numbers will always be heard
C/E D7/F# |G
When times are mysterious
|C/E D7/F# |G |C/G |G |Eb/G |
Serious numbers will always be heard
Bb | | | |
And after all is said and done
Ab | |
And the numbers all come home
| Gm Fm7 |Eb | |
The four rolls into three
|Eb9 |Ab | |
The three turns into two
| Gm Fm7|Eb | | | |
The two becomes a one
|