Modern Instincts - December 1969 Lyrics

Turn the months by page, the book named after you
And its day by day, remember what we choose
Words of innocence we cannot pronounce
With due diligence we could be like that now

Tessellated rooms well-read but misinformed
In the lightened moon we crave and we are torn
Motives ulterior, keep your glasses on
Hard to feel superior, victims of contretemps

But I've been trying not to get much worse (How am I to phrase that?)
If I do it would not be a first (I'm not supposed to say that)
Take a picture and go back in time (It could take us way back)
To December 1969

Skip ahead some time, wait for Saturn's return
So we ossify after what we've learned
Ten questions from someone who doesn't know a thing
This delirium marked like a coffee ring

But I've been trying not to get much worse (How am I to phrase that?)
If I do it would not be a first (I'm not supposed to say that)
Take a picture and go back in time (it could take us way back)
To December 1969

Late to the party, subtle escape
I think I liked me better that way
After all this time away show me what you learned
Twenty thousand times around it feels like I have turned

How am I to phrase that?
I'm not supposed to say that
It could take us way back

But I've been trying not to get much worse (How am I to phrase that?)
If I do it would not be a first (I'm not supposed to say that)
Take a picture and go back in time (it could take us way back)
To December 1969