Marilyn Rucker

Lyrics

Last Days of Pompeii

Words and music by Michael Smith

On the last day of Pompeii
Thought I heard some poor boy say
Oh wow man, if I knew then what I know now
I would have done more
Been more than I’ve been
Would have had fun more
Sinned more mortal sin
Oh wow man, if I knew then what I know now.

I would have sent back that steak that was so overdone.
Grabbed that big break while there was time, time, time.
Turned my life into a fantasy
Hot stuff for me to remember

And now that I’m a goner
All that lava rushin round the corner
Oh wow man
I ain’t complainin’
Only thinkin’ out loud,
But my life would be different
My love would be different
If I knew then what I know now.

On the last day of Pompeii
Thought I heard some poor girl say
Oh wow man, if I knew then what I know now
Would have taken up the saxophone
Had a garden and grew my own
Oh wow man
If I knew then what I know now.

I knew I should’ve taken that Meditteranean cruise
Loaded up on chocolates and cigarettes and booze
Given some perfect stranger the blues
Hot stuff for me to remember

And now Vesuvio’s come to call
Arivederci, I had a ball
Oh wow man
I ain’t complainin’
Only thinkin’ out loud
But my life would be different
My love would be different
If I knew then what I know now!