[Verse 1:]
I was Cleopatra, I was young and an actress
When you knelt by my mattress, and asked for my hand
But I was sad you asked it, as I laid in a black dress
With my father in a casket, I had no plans
And I left the footprints, the mud stained on the carpet
And it hardened like my heart did when you left town
But I must admit it, that I would marry you in an instant
Damn your wife, I'd be your mistress just to have you around
[Chorus:]
But I was late for this, late for that, late for the love of my life
And when I die alone, when I die alone, when I die I'll be on time
[Verse 2:]
While the church discouraged, any lust that burned within me
Yes my flesh, it was my currency, but I held true
So I drive a taxi, and the traffic distracts me
From the strangers in my backseat, they remind me of you
[Chorus:]
But I was late for this, late for that, late for the love of my life
And when I die alone, when I die alone, when I die I'll be on time
[Bridge:]
And the only gifts from my Lord were a birth and a divorce
But I've read this script and the costume fits, so I'll play my part
[Verse 3:]
I was Cleopatra, I was taller than the rafters
But that's all in the past now, gone with the wind
Now a nurse in white shoes leads me back to my guestroom
It's a bed and a bathroom
And a place for the end
[Outro:]
I won't be late for this, late for that, late for the love of my life
And when I die alone, when I die alone, when I die I'll be on time