Text: John Hiatt. Beneath This Gruff Exterior. Missing Pieces.

i spent all day staring al a leaf

i know my time here is brief

i'd like to get some details down

before i move on to another town



i met a man, he lost both arms

got 'em caught up in her charms

she look the kids and the color tV

he said, "I wish she'd taken the rest of me"



CHORUS:

this Travelin' life, well it ain't no good

i'd quit it honey, oh if i could

a puzzle to me why i even care

the missing pieces are everywhere



he drove to dixie to hush his mouth

she started talkin', like to wore him out

but they found love 'neath the southern stars

and some bruises and some scars



he sees her on that back porch swing

and i believe he would do anything

stand all night in the pourin' rain

to wash her memory from his brain



CHORUS:

this Travelin' life, well it ain't no good

i'd quit it honey, oh if i could

a puzzle to me why i even care

the missing pieces are everywhere



a false move here, a stumble there

a box of letters and a lock of hair

that's all that's left when i turn out the light

i count the missing pieces every night



CHORUS:

this Travelin' life, well it ain't no good

i'd quit it honey, oh if i could

a puzzle to me why i even care

the missing pieces are everywhere



CHORUS:

this Travelin' life, well it ain't no good

i'd quit it honey, oh if i could

a puzzle to me why i even care

the missing pieces are everywhere