Cracking my neck in the consulate line While a homesick American flag's hanging by in the fluorescent light Up close I see how they stitched on the stars and stripes If I were honest and if you were brave You'd ask me your question and stay for the answer I like the way that you tell all your tales Would it kill you to listen? And I get homesick before I go away I get homesick before I go away, away Green origami, needles and grapes You cry like an army, you drive like P-plates There is much to be said for the way that you brake When a red light's in front of you You ask me to give you my world and a day We'll do this together we've got years to waste You've got plots and persuasions and time to explain But I've only got time for lunch And I get homesick before I go away I get homesick before I go away Before I go away Before I go away