The Distance

They deftly maneuver and muscle for rank
And long ago somebody left with the cup

She's all alone, all alone in her time of need
Because he's racing and pacing and plotting the course
The green light flashes, the flags go up
Because he's racing and pacing and plotting the course
And thinking of someone for whom he still burns

He's going the distance
She's hoping in time that her memories will fade
No trophy, no flowers, no flashbulbs, no wine

The arena is empty except for one man
He's going the distance, he's going for speed
Still driving and striving as fast as he can
But he's striving and driving and hugging the turns
He's racing and pacing and plotting the course
She's all alone, all alone in her time of need

Bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse

As they speed through the finish, the flags go down
He's haunted by something he cannot define
He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse
He's going the distance, he's going for speed
He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse
Assail him, impale him with monster-truck force
And thinking of someone for whom he still burns
But he's driving and striving and hugging the turns
Fuel burning fast on an empty tank
He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse
He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse
'Cause he's going the distance, he's going for speed
And long ago somebody left with the cup

The fans get up and they get out of town
Reckless and wild, they pour through the turns

The sun has gone down and the moon has come up
'Cause he's racing and pacing and plotting the course
Their prowess is potent and secretly stern
The sun has gone down and the moon has come up
In his mind, he's still driving, still making the grade
Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup