What Do I Know

Peter Mealy

A tune about false impressions and prejudging situations. We were playing in a bar in Arlington, VA, and out of the corner of my eye I saw a woman sitting at the bar wearing what appeared to be a wedding dress. When I turned to get a better look I realized that it was a woman with big blond hair wearing a big flowing diaphanous white dress. The image stuck, and song evolved from there.

G D C G D C 

G

She sat at the bar in her wedding dress

D

Engaged in a drink and a cigarette

Em

Sad song on the radio

C

She could have been the video

G

Did you lose your nerve to say I do?

D

Or were you left in an empty pew

Em

Are you dressed up for Halloween?

C G D C

Or is this your only dress that’s clean

G Am

What do I know what did you say

C D

Did I hear you in the right way?

G Am

Let the lights dim and the sound die

C D

Till we both see through the same eyes

Em G Am G/B C D

What do I know what did you say what do I know

G D C G D C

I pulled I the lot of a late night store

A man in shadows by the door

I smelled trouble he smelled fear

I locked my door left the car in gear

I said are you waiting for a ride

Or planning you next homicide

Are you a cop out on the street?

Or one more victim of the street

Chorus

Em D C D

We only see what’s relevant like the blind man and the elephant

Em D

We search in the dark with just our hands

Em C D G

Then our eyes met and we did a little dance

G DC D G D C D G D C D

We meet by chance we meet by force

We meet like pieces on a big chessboard

Read each other second guess

Watch for signals assume the rest

But I see you like I see stars

Brightest light in the darkest dark

Mystery deep as the deepest stare

And when I look up you’re always there

What do I know what did you say

Did I hear you in the right way?

When the lights dim and the sound dies

Will we both see through the same eyes?

Em D/F# G

What do I know what did you say what do I know

A

What did you mean

Am G/B C D

What do I know

G D C G D C