"The Other Side Of The Reservoir" lyrics - GRAHAM PARKER

What were they thinking
When they dug that hole
And bulldozed that town down
Wall by wall
Laying the asphalt and
Diverting that rolling river
So there'd be water for us all
I got some photographs
I don't know if they're us or not
Ah but my memories fading fast
They might as well take that too
It's no use to me or you
I guess it was not designed to last

I heard you live there now
And that you've settled down
And accepted the vastness of it all
Maybe I'll write a letter
'Cos I've heard that life's much better
On the other side of the reservoir

Well time has a funny way
Of doubling back on itself
And showing the things that really last
Was it just yesterday
You left for greener pastures
Or was that way back in the past
I got some photographs
Of a long lost valley
Now filled with water shore to shore
That rolls under miles of land
Right down to new york city
But at least no one's thirsty any more

I heard you live there now
And that you've settled down
And accepted the vastness of it all
Maybe I'll get in touch
I've heard that there's so much
On the other side of the reservoir

So what were they thinking
When they dug that hole
And flooded the meadows green and fair
Was it so satisfying
They didn't hear people crying
As they watched their lives
Get moved elsewhere

Well I hear the trees grow tall
By that retaining wall
And there's always a rainbow in the sky
Maybe I'll write a letter
'Cos I've heard that life's much better
On the other side of the reservoir
On the other side of the reservoir