"The Joke Explained" lyrics - WILCO

I never held your gaze
I never know my place
I stare at the eyes staring at my face
It always ends in a tie
There is no knitting the divide
I cry at the joke explained

Ah but if I had known
If I had known
If I had known
I would have never believed

I never smoked my chain
Whoever measures the crest
Ah they can have my broken chest
It's a staring contest, in a hall of mirrors
I sweat tears but I don't ever cry

Ah but if I had known
If I had known
If I had known
I would have never believed

I never knelt at the news
My parrot perished in the pews
I climb back into the yolk
It always ends in a tie
There is no knitting the divide
I cry at the joke explained

Ah if I had known
If I had known
If I had known
I would have never believed [3x]