When Numbers Get Serious Songtext
von Paul Simon

I have a number in my head
Though I don′t know why it's there
When numbers get serious
You see their shape everywhere

Dividing and multiplying
Exchanging with ease
When times are mysterious
Serious numbers are eager to please

Take my address
Take my phone or
Call me if you can
Here′s my address
Here's my phone now
Please, don't give it to some madman

Hey-hey, whoa-whoa
Complicated life
Numbers swirling thick and curious
You can cut ′em with a knife
You can cut ′em with a knife


Two times two is twenty-two
Four times four is forty-four
When numbers get serious
They leave a mark on your door

Urgent, urgent, a telephone
Ringing in the hallway
When times are mysterious
Serious numbers will speak to us always

That is why a man with numbers
Can put your mind at ease
We've got numbers by the trillions
Here and overseas

Hey-hey, whoa-whoa
Look at the stink about Japan
All those numbers waiting patiently now
Don′t you understand?
Don't you understand?

So wrap me, wrap me, wrap me do
In the shelter of your arms
I am ever your volunteer
I won′t do you any harm
I will love innumerably
You can count on my word


When times are mysterious
Serious numbers will always be heard
When times are mysterious
Serious numbers will always be heard

And after all is said and done
And the numbers all come home
The four rolls into three
The three turns into two
The two becomes a one