The song came and went Like the times that we spent Hiding out from the rain under the carnival tent I'd laugh and he'd smile And it would last for a while You don't know what you got 'til you lose it all again Chorus: Listen to the mandolin rain, listen to the music on the lake Listen to my heart break, every time that he goes away Listen to the banjo wind, a sad song drifting low Listen to my tears roll, down my face as he turns to go A cool evening dance Listening to the bluegrass band takes the chill From the air 'til they play the last song And I'll do my time Keeping you off my mind but there's moments That I find, I'm not feeling so strong Chorus Running down by the lakeshore He did love the sound of a summer storm It played on the lake like a mandolin Now it's washing him away once again Once again, once again Chorus Listen to my tears roll, down my face as he turns to go