Nenikḗkamen Lyrics

I remember that day

Daydreaming just to pass the time away

Of all the cafes, she walked into mine

And I forgot what to say

Started sweating and my tongue was tongue tied

Her beauty hit me that way, like a landslide

I had seen her before

While reading 'bout the Greek and Persian wars

And sitting in the corner with my coffee

She walked in that door

And lit up every inch inside the store

So I got up and implored if they were hiring

Then it was just before dawn

She had her brightest neon running shoes on

Bells went off like alarms, and inspired me

I said that I ran too

A little fiction now and then won't hurt you

If that's really true, it would surprise me

You just put one foot before the other

One step and then another

I wasn't out to win the race

But I'd do anything to keep her pace

So I started my training

What had I gotten into?

What would Pheidippides do?

Run until there's nothing left

Then shout with a dying breath

"Nenikḗkamen!"

Long runs by her side

Panting breath but we talked all the time

And her beauty magnified every mile

Even falling behind

It had its perks and I took 'em in stride

Watching her backside as she ran in style

I'd follow her to the moon

With all our miles, we'd be getting there soon

I followed her to the bed, now I'll be quiet

We were from that time

Running partners of a different kind

Yeah, we'd stay side by side, we decided

You just put one foot before the other

One step and then another

I wasn't out to win the race

But I'd do anything to keep her pace

So I started my training

What had I gotten into?

What would Pheidippides do?

Run until there's nothing left

Then shout with a dying breath

"Nenikḗkamen!"

Ten years to the day

Since we started saying more than what friends say

And I still catch my breath, whenever I see her

She still runs before dawn

I get up and put the coffee on

And the kids wait out on the lawn, just to greet her

Life isn't that long

It's not a sprint but a marathon

Then we'll all join in the song, Nenikḗkamen!