The all-clear came last night
A thousand glowing tail lights
Crawled back up toward the mountain
Mile-long traffic queues
Exhausted cops on foot
Overtook the cars on State Street
Just like '89
But the fire ran wild this time
Almost pushed us all into the sea
Come now my painted princess
Reward my toil and tears unless
You have something else to say
Lost her out there someplace
Distracted by the blaze
Now I think I'll rest awhile with you
There are roads I never learned
People using turn by turn
All their landmarks burned and black and fallen
People stop to clear the streets
Children's toys and buckled wheels
Pushed aside beneath the cypress
I've been here since '95
But I still get lost sometimes
I guess I'll have a better chance this time
Come now my painted princess...