Pleasures of the Harbor
(Phil Ochs)
And the ship sets the sail, they've lived the tales to carry to the shore,
Straining at the oars, or staring from the rails.
And the sea bids farewell, she waves and swells and sends them on their way.
Time has been her pay, and time will have to tell.
(Chor.)
Oh, soon your sailing will be over
Come and take your pleasures of the harbor.
And the anchor hits the sand, the hungry hands have tied them to the port
The hour will be short for leisure on the land.
And the girls scent the air, they seem so fair with paint upon their face
Soft is their embrace to lead them up the stairs.
(Ch.)
In the room dark and dim, the touch of skin, he asks her of her name
She answers with no shame, and not a sense of sin.
The fingers draw the blind, the sip of wine, the cigarette of doubt
Til the candle is blown out, the darkness is so kind.
(Ch.)
And the shadows frame the light, the same old sight, the thrill has flown away
All alone they lay, two strangers in the night
Then his heart skips a beat, he's on his feet, to shipmates he must join
She's counting up the coins, he's swallowed by the street.
(Ch.)
In the bar hangs a cloud, the whiskey's loud, there's laughter in their eyes
The lonely in disguise are clinging to the crowd
And the bottle fills the glass, the haze is fast, he's trembling for the taste
Of passions gone to waste, in memories of the past.
(Ch.)
In the alley wet with rain, a cry of pain, for love was but a smile
Teasing all the while, now dancing down the drain
Til the boys reach the dock, they gently mock, and lift him on their backs
To lay him on his rack, to sleep beneath the clock.
(Ch.)
And the ship sets the sail. They've lived the tales to carry to the shore
Straining at the oars, or staring from the rails.
And the sea bids farewell. She waves and swells and sends them on their way.
Time has been her pay, and time will have to tell.
(Ch.)
Copyright 1966, Barricade Music, Inc.
Rec. on "Pleasures of the Harbor" A&M 133
GF
Apr98
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!