The casino doesn't like
When you run the tables
And though the box is wrapped up nice, it's just a cage to you
Those electric fences buzz
The stallion flees the stable
And that small town's even smaller now in your rearview

You ran with all the wild things
A liberated libertine who then longed for home

'Cause it's where you're from
Aunt Virginia with a church dress on
No elbows on the table, and the neighbor's lawn
Always looked better
Your hand-me-down sweater should've been from the mall
And you hate this song
But you wake up on the train with your headphones gone
Then that melody is all you want
You never knew that it was Babylon
Till it was gone

Give the people what they want
Then you keep it moving
Make your plans and friends, a stranger's makeup on your tie
Twenty watches in the safe
'Cause your time is money
Love is ice upon the ladder that you need to climb

She captured your attention, so free of all pretension
It stopped you cold

Because she loved you so
Pretty as a picture that you didn't post
Looking at you like you're made of solid gold
Never official
You mention you're single to the girls at the bar
You hate this song
But you wake up on the train with your headphones gone
And then that melody is all you want
You never knew that it was Babylon
Till it was gone

You're using nostalgia as a weapon to hurt yourself
But, darling, you end up hurting everybody else
The self-harm of never being where you are
It's bedtime, but you're sitting in your car
You're missing all the best parts

And they're all at home
She's hanging Christmas lights with your son
Sneak into the bathroom to call her mom
And say: It's not working
It's just not worth it if we're not what he wants
But you love this song
You wake up on the train with your headphones gone
Then that melody is all you want
You never knew that it was Babylon
And now it's almost gone

Aunt Virginia with a church dress on
No elbows on the table, and the neighbor's lawn (it's almost gone)
Always looked better
Your hand-me-down sweater should've been from the mall
But you love this song
You wake up on the train and you're all alone
Then that memory is all you want
You never knew that it was Babylon
Till it was gone