Jackson Browne: "First Girl I Loved" Lyrics

(from the album rubaiyat: elektras 40th anniversary; performed by jackson browne with david lindley)



First girl I loved--

Time has come I will sing the sad goodbye song

When I was seventeen, I used to know you

And I havent seen you now in so many years

And the last time I saw you

You said you joined the church of jesus

But me I remember your long red hair

Falling in our faces as I kissed you



I just want you to know I just had to go

I just want you to know I just had to grow

And youre probably married now

With a house and car and all

And you turned into a grown-up female stranger

If I was lyin by you now, I wouldnt be here at all



Well we parted so hard

Me rushing round new york with a guitar

Making love to people I didnt even like to see

And I still sometimes think of you

As I lay here in the six at morning

And in the lonely midnight

Ive got to hold your face before me



I just want you to know I just had to go

I just want you to know I just had to grow

And youre probably married now

With kids and all

And you turned into a grown-up female stranger

If I was lyin by you now, Id just have to fall



And I never slept with you

Though we must have made love a thousand times

cause we were just young

Didnt have no place to go



I just want you to know I just had to go

I just want you to know I just had to grow

So its goodbye first love

And I hope youre fine

I have a sweet woman

Maybe someday shell have babies by me

(she pretty)

Shes a true friend of mine