(Bruce Hornsby/John Hornsby)

The song came and went
Like the times that we spent
Hiding out from the rain under the carnival tent
I'd laugh and he'd smile
And it would last for a while
You don't know what you got 'til you lose it all again

Listen to the mandolin rain, listen to the music on the lake
Listen to my heart break, every time that he goes away
Listen to the banjo wind, a sad song drifting low
Listen to my tears roll, down my face as he turns to go

A cool evening dance
Listening to the bluegrass band takes the chill
From the air 'til they play the last song
And I'll do my time
Keeping you off my mind but there's moments
That I find, I'm not feeling so strong

Listen to the mandolin rain, listen to the music on the lake
Listen to my heart break, every time that he goes away
Listen to the banjo wind, a sad song drifting low
Listen to my tears roll, down my face as he turns to go

Running down by the lakeshore
He did love the sound of a summer storm
It played on the lake like a mandolin
Now it's washing him away once again
Once again, once again

Listen to the mandolin rain, listen to the music on the lake
Listen to my heart break, every time that he goes away
Listen to the banjo wind, a sad song drifting low
Listen to my tears roll, down my face as he turns to go

Listen to my tears roll, down my face as he turns to go