What happened to your cigarettes
What happened to your coat and hat
Another day's gone missing
And it's just another part
Of that parade of clowns and men in suits
The marching boots of the 9th Brigade
Your best laid plans are giving way
To whiskey shots and cover bands

Is this the new year, honey, that you thought it would be?
You don't have to justify your life to anyone
Not even me

It was the 21st of May last year
When he got onto the plane
To go away for twelve whole months
A summer job, a first year at school
Is the hardest time to remember you
Is separation temporary
Know he'll call and keep you warm
At least it wasn't February

Is this the new year, honey, that you thought it would be?
Don't circumscribe your life
And look out with jealousy

Another day of moving sideways
Another day of asking why
So many friends you used to know
Are only postcards sent to show you
Who they met in smoky bars
The girl who sings and the boy's guitars
Their best laid plans are bearing fruit
Plans of being young and finding truth

Is this the new year, honey, that you thought it would be?
You don't have to justify your life to anyone
Not even me

What happened to your cigarettes
What happened to your coat and hat
Another long day's done, and where's the fun in that
Same old fight
It's not so wrong that everyone
Deserted you for the city lights
Best laid plans, but all they are
Just whiskey shots at the corner bar

Is this the new year, honey, that you thought it would be?
Don't circumscribe your life
And look out with jealousy
Is this the new year, honey, that you thought it would be?
You don't have to justify your life to anyone
Not even me