The Deader

So now let me tell you about this girl of mine Heart like all men's dreams in the days of '49 I turn hollow no me more swallow this fast only she breaks But distance keeps her miles or meters what difference does it make 'Cause here they come again to repossess my dreams Child don't play yourself, things are never what they seem A bridge a river a pale moon sliver, city shines so bright But to my despair I wake up where they sleep out every night And the girl I love is oh, so far away I wonder can she hear me as I go through my day Oh, now the raging sea she laps upon my door I'll round a thousand horns just to drown upon her shore Blood red roses, go down Moses, oh billowing sails Those so weak-willed guts all sea-filled thrown them o'er the rails Boys tighten up the jib and sing a hearty song We been driftin', driftin', for far too long I take no care me I'm so bare-breasted on the bow Scabbed and wheathered, skin of leather who's the deader now But the girl I love is oh so, oh so far away I wonder can she hear me as I go through my day It's so long lady angel, I guess I'll say goodbye But I do believe I'm aging right before your eyes Wash up on her coast, not a nickel to my name Sold my, sold my, sold my gold watch and chain Enough to hire a band of liars to march me on my way Through hills and valleys sugar ditch alleys up to her open gate The girl I love is oh so, oh so far away I wonder can she hear me as I go through my day It's so long lady angel, I guess I'll say goodbye But I do believe I'm aging right before your eyes Cock crow in the morning, heard it loud and clear Ask her for to marry, she answers with a tear "Boy you have my heart and you know you always will But that ain't enough to hold me 'cause love don't pay the bills." I turned away in shame for all my days in vain Guess I'll just drag on, no one loves you till you're gone Let the river be my guide, let the desert be my bride Till my heart turns to steel, till I no longer feel That the girl I love is oh so, oh so far away I wonder can she hear me as I go through my day It's so long lady angel, I guess I'll say goodbye But I do believe I'm aging right before your eyes