Two Americans In Paris

Dashing up the stairs
Following the signs
I don't speak the language
You lead
But I'm not far behind

The car is downstairs on the street
In twenty minutes
We must meet the driver
To take us to the airport
Fly home

But you said
"You must see the Mona Lisa
Before we leave this place"
Running breathless through the Louvre
Foolish Americans race

Down another hall
Up more marble steps
I say, "Let's go right"
I'm wrong
We go left

Another lengthy corridor
Another flight of stairs
We know she's here
We're just not sure where

You say
"You must see the Mona Lisa
You must see her face"
Running breathless through the Louvre
An impossible race

We run the length of
One more cavernous hall
A knot of people has gathered
Round a certain painting
On that wall

You push me toward the front
Of the reverent crowd
Yes it's her, I know that smile
Can we leave now?

But you whisper
"Look at the Mona Lisa
Look at that face"
But I'm thinking
Of the waiting cab
And flying back home to the States

You hold me by the arm
Say, "Count to twenty-five
Oh, don't miss this opportunity
It makes me feel alive"

But I'm looking at my watch
And I'm telling you that we must go
But you can't release your grip
You just shake your head, "No"

"Look at the Mona Lisa
Stare at that face
I will do the counting for you
Just stand here in place"

Un, deux, trois
Quartre, cinq, six, sept
Huite, neuf, dix, onze, douze, treize
Quartorze, quinze, seize, dixsept, dixhuite, dixneuf, vingt
Vingt-de-un, vingt-deux, vingt-trois, vingt-quartre, vingt-cinq

I saw the Mona Lisa
I saw her face
Running breathless through the Louvre
Two Americans race

Un, deux, trois
Quartre, cinq, six, sept
Huite, neuf, dix, onze, douze, treize
Quartorze, quinze, seize, dixsept, dixhuite, dixneuf, vingt
Vingt-de-un, vingt-deux, vingt-trois, vingt-quartre, vingt-cinq

Un, deux, trois
Quartre, cinq, six, sept
Quartorze, quinze, seize, dixsept, dixhuite, dixneuf, vingt
Vingt-de-un, vingt-deux, vingt-trois, vingt-quartre, vingt-cinq