The song describes a narrator sitting in a diner, waiting for coffee and observing the people around them. As the narrator waits, they see a man look out the window at a woman entering and greeting her with a kiss. The narrator pretends not to see, reading the paper instead. They then notice a woman outside fixing her skirt and stockings while her hair gets wet in the rain. As the morning continues and bells ring from the cathedral, the narrator thinks of a past voice and picnic before it was time to leave on the train.

1. Susanne Vega – Tom’s Diner
I am sitting in the morning
At the diner on the corner
I (1) am waiting at the counter
For the man to pour the coffee
And he fills it only halfway
And before I even argue
He (2) is looking out the window
At somebody coming in
"It is always nice to see you"
Says the man behind the counter
To the woman who has come in
She (3) is shaking her umbrella
And I look the other way
As they (4) are kissing their hellos
I'm pretending not to see them
Instead I pour the milk
I open up the paper
There's a story of an actor
Who had died while he was drinking
It was no one I had heard of
And I (5) 'm turning to the horoscope
And looking for the funnies
When I (6) 'm feeling someone watching me
And so I raise my head
There's a woman on the outside
Looking inside, Does she see me?
No she does not really see me
Cause she sees her own reflection
And I (7) 'm trying not to notice
That she's hitching up her skirt
And while she (8) 's straightening her stockings
Her hair has gotten wet
Oh, this rain it will continue
Through the morning as I (9) 'm listening
To the bells of the cathedral
I (10) am thinking of your voice...
And of the midnight picnic
Once upon a time
Before the rain began...
I finish up my coffee
It's time to catch the train...
On the board:
To listen
kiss
sit
feel
try
wait
think
straighten
look
shake
turn
Meanings:
• Counter: a long flat-topped
fitment in a shop where food and
drinks are served.
• To pour: prepare and serve (a
drink).
• To argue: To discuss.
• As: in the process of, while...
• To hitch up: remangarse,
subirse, levantarse (clothes)
• Through: (in time) During.
• Cathedral: /kəˈθiːdrəl/

2. SusanneVega – Tom’s
Diner
Comple the gaps with Present Continuous!
I am sitting in the morning
At the diner on the corner
I (1) __________________ at the counter
For the man to pour the coffee
And he fills it only halfway
And before I even argue
He (2) ________________ out the window
At somebody coming in
"It is always nice to see you"
Says the man behind the counter
To the woman who has come in
She (3) _________________ her umbrella
And I look the other way
As they (4) ______________ their hellos
I'm pretending not to see them
Instead I pour the milk
I open up the paper
There's a story of an actor
Who had died while he was drinking
It was no one I had heard of
And I (5) ____________ to the horoscope
And looking for the funnies
When I (6) _________________ someone
watching me and so I raise my head
There's a woman on the outside
Looking inside, Does she see me?
No she does not really see me
Cause she sees her own reflection
And I (7) _______________ not to notice
That she's hitching up her skirt
And while she (8) __________________ her
stockings, her hair has gotten wet
Oh, this rain it will continue
Through the morning as I (9) __________
To the bells of the cathedral
I (10) _________________ of your voice...
And of the midnight picnic
Once upon a time
Before the rain began...
I finish up my coffee
It's time to catch the train.
Susanne Vega – Tom’s
Diner
Comple the gaps with Present Continuous!
I am sitting in the morning
At the diner on the corner
I (1) __________________ at the counter
For the man to pour the coffee
And he fills it only halfway
And before I even argue
He (2) ________________ out the window
At somebody coming in
"It is always nice to see you"
Says the man behind the counter
To the woman who has come in
She (3) _________________ her umbrella
And I look the other way
As they (4) ______________ their hellos
I'm pretending not to see them
Instead I pour the milk
I open up the paper
There's a story of an actor
Who had died while he was drinking
It was no one I had heard of
And I (5) ____________ to the horoscope
And looking for the funnies
When I (6) _________________ someone
watching me and so I raise my head
There's a woman on the outside
Looking inside, Does she see me?
No she does not really see me
Cause she sees her own reflection
And I (7) _______________ not to notice
That she's hitching up her skirt
And while she (8) __________________ her
stockings, her hair has gotten wet
Oh, this rain it will continue
Through the morning as I (9) __________ To
the bells of the cathedral
I (10) _________________ of your voice...

3. And of the midnight picnic
Once upon a time
Before the rain began...
I finish up my coffee
It's time to catch the train.