Pleasures Of The Harbor

And the ship sets the sail

They've lived the tale

To carry to the shore

Straining at the oars

Or staring from the rail

And the sea bids farewell

She waves in swells

And sends them on their way

Time has been her pay

And time will have to tell

Oh, soon your

Sailing will be over

Come and take

The 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 on their face

Soft is their embrace

To lead them up the stairs

Soon your

Sailing will be over

Come and take

The pleasures of the harbor

In the room dark and dim

Touch of skin

He asks her of her name

She answers with no shame

And not a sense of sin

'Til the fingers draw the blinds

Sip of wine

The cigarette of doubt

The candle is blown out

The darkness is so kind

Oh, soon your

Sailing will be over

Come and take

The pleasures of the harbor

And the shadows frame the light

Same old sight

Thrill has blown away

Now all alone they lay

Two strangers in the night

Till 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

Oh, soon your

Sailing will be over

Come and take

The pleasures of the harbor

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 passion gone to waste

In memories of the past

Oh, soon your

Sailing will be over

Come and take

The pleasures of the harbor

In the alley, red with rain

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

Lay him on his rack

And leave beneath the light

Oh, soon your

Sailing will be over

Come and take

The pleasures of the harbor

And the ship sets the sail

They've lived the tale

To carry from the shore

Straining at the oars

Or staring from the rail

And the sea bids farewell

She waves in swells

And sends them on their way

Time has been her pay

And time will have to tell

Oh, soon your

Sailing will be over

Come and take

The pleasures of the harbor