These lyrics were written after a friend of mine told me about her parent’s divorce after twenty-five years of marriage.

One evening her father came home from work and told his wife that he was leaving her. He moved out the same day giving no explanation. The first verse is the only true part of the whole piece. When I wrote the final verse, I couldn’t let her drown alone and added the, ‘Angel at her shoulder’ line.

Even though it’s fictional, I wanted someone with her at the end.

Verse 1

She doesn’t understand,

As he lets go of her hand,

The life she knew is walking out the door.

There’s a pain in her chest,

Suddenly she’s second best,

She’d like to stand and fight him,

But she just can’t find the floor.

All this precious time now baby,

Lying next to you.

Forever you and me babe.

Forever me and you.

Chorus

Twenty-five years for nothing.

Twenty-five years has come to this.

If I’d known there’d be a time,

That you’d not be mine.

Would’ve ended our love,

After our first kiss.

Trying hard to fight the tears,

Of my wasted twenty-five years.

Verse 2

Friends and family call,

But they’re no use at all.

She just can’t see the rainbow’s end,

Her heart is colour blind.

Letters sent and read,

Lie scattered on the bed.

She burns her memory scrapbook,

Scared of what she’ll find.

Built ourselves a fortress baby,

No-one could break through.

Clever you and me babe.

Clever me and you.

Chorus

Twenty-five years for nothing.

Twenty-five years has come to this.

If I’d known there’d be a time,

That you’d not be mine.

I would have ended our love,

After our first kiss.

Trying hard to fight the tears,

Of my wasted twenty-five years.

Verse 3

Her heart is caving in,

Where does she begin?

She tries to write a letter,

Tears wash the words away.

Love seems so unkind,

Scared she’ll lose her mind.

The night time brings the loneliness,

The morning brings the pain.

Spiteful words on tracing paper,

The ink forever new.

Tether you and me babe.

Tether me and you.

Chorus

Twenty-five years for nothing.

Twenty-five years has come to this.

If I’d known there’d be a time,

That you’d not be mine.

I would have ended our love,

After our first kiss.

Trying hard to fight the tears,

Of my wasted twenty-five years.

Verse 4

She goes back to the start,

Where he stole her heart.

The stars up in the velvet sky,

Reflect across the bay.

There’s silence all around,

As the current drags her down.

The angel at her shoulder says,

‘It’s got to be this way’

This knife of water helps me baby,

Do what I must do.

Sever you and me babe.

Sever me and you.

Chorus

Twenty-five years for nothing.

Twenty-five years has come to this.

If I’d known there’d be a time,

That you’d not be mine.

I would have ended our love,

After our first kiss.

Trying hard to fight the tears,

Of my wasted twenty-five years.

March 1990