Now in my younger days I used to sport a shag
When I went to school I carried lunch in a bag
With an apple for my teacher 'cause I knew I'd get a kiss
Always got mad when the class was dismissed
But when it was in session, I always had a question
I would raise my hand to make her stagger to my desk
And help me with my problem, it was never much
Just a trick, to smell her scent and try to sneak a touch
Oh, how I wish I could hold her hand and give her a hug
She was married to the man, he was a thug
His name was Lee, he drove a Z
He'd pick her up from school promptly at three o'clock
I was on her jock, yes indeedy, I wrote graffiti on the bus
First I'd write her name then carve a plus
With my name last, on the looking glass
I seen her yesterday but still I had to let her pass
She keeps on passin' me by
She keeps on passin' me by
She keeps on passin' me by
She keeps on passin'
When I dream of fairy tales I think of me and Shelly
See she's my type of hype and I can't stand when brothers tell me
That I should quit chasin' and look for something better
But the smile that she shows makes me a go-getter
I haven't gone as far as asking if I could get with her
I just play by the ear and hope she gets the picture
I'm shootin' for her heart, got my finger on the trigger
She could be my broad, and I could be her nigga
But, all I can do is stare back
As kids we used to kiss when we played truth or dare
Now she's more sophisticated, highly edumacated
Not at all over-rated, I think I need a prayer
To get in her book and it looks rather dry
I guess a twinkle in her eye is just a twinkle in her eye
Although she's crazy steppin', I'll try to stop her stride
'Cause I won't have no more of this passin' me by
Time for me to voice my opinion of not even pretendin' she didn't have me
Strung like a chicken, chase my tail like a doggie
She was kind of like a star, thinking I was like a fan
Dude, she looked good, down side, she had a man
He was a rooty-toot, a nincompoop
She told me, "Soon your little birdie's gonna fly the coop"
She was a flake like corn, and I was born not to understand
By lettin' her pass, I had proved to be a better man
She keeps on passin' me by
(Passin' me by)
She keeps on passin' me by
She keeps on passin' me by
(Passin' me by)
She keeps on passin' me
Now there she goes again, the dopiest Ethiopian
And now the world around me begets movin' in slow motion
Whenever she happens to walk by, why does the apple of my eye
Overlook and disregard my feelings no matter how much I try?
Wait, no, I did not really pursue my little princess with persistence
And I was so low-key that she was unaware of my existence
From a distance I desired her, secretly admired her
Wired her a letter to get her, and it went
My dear, my dear, my dear, you do not know me
But I know you very well
Now let me tell you about the feelings I have for you
When I try, or make some sort of attempt, I symp
Damn I wish I wasn't such a wimp!
'Cause then I would let you know that I love you so
And if I was your man then I would be true
The only lying I would do is in the bed with you
Then I signed sincerely, 'The one who loves you dearly
P.S. love me tender'
The letter came back three days later
'Return to sender', damn!
She keeps on passin' me by
She keeps on passin' me by
She keeps on passin' me by
She keeps on passin' me by
She keeps on passin'
Passin' me by, passin' me by
She keeps passin' me by
She keeps passin' me by
She keeps passin' me by
...