Something Broke

I was out In the yard Taking down the bed sheets When my neighbor yelled across: "The president's been shot" I remember where I was Just exactly where I was In the yard out back "The president's been shot" I was getting me a shoeshine Folding sheets When I heard We were waiting for a carriage Newsboys Suddenly there's shouting in the street Lizzy's sheet "The president's been shot" I'll remember it forever And I thought: Where I was What I was doing Something just broke... "The president's been shot" My God I was up near the ridge Plowing We were working at the plant I was halfway through correcting the exams When my wife It was Mike She comes tearing 'cross the field Mike the foreman In runs Billy I mean, he was crying He was crying She was crying I'll remember it forever... And I thought: "The president's been shot" You know what? There are presidents who aren't worth a lot I kept thinking: There's the kind that gets elected, then forgot Mr. Garfield Mr. Lincoln He's a hack Bill McKinley He's a giant He's a joke Still, something just broke "The president is rallying" "The president is sinking" "The president is dead" Something just broke I was down at the Exchange Something just made a little dent I'd been shopping I'd been sick Something just broke All I know, it was a Friday Only for a moment I remember it exactly Something got bent I'm taking the order Something just left a little mark I was getting dressed Two potato soups Something just went a little dark Something just went And I wondered I was scared of What would follow... Something to be mended Made me wonder who we are Something we'll have to weather It was seeing all those torches Bringing us all together He was me... He was us... If only for a moment I'll remember it forever Nothing has really ended Where I was, what I was doing Only just be suspended Like a flash 'Cause something just stirred And I thought And I thought to myself (and I thought) Something just broke And I thought I kept thinking Something just spoke Something I wish I hadn't heard Something bewildering occurred Fix it up fast Please 'Til it's just smoke 'Til it's only "Something just passed" Nothing that will last Where I was, what i was doing Nothing but the moment Just an awful moment But something just-