A Love You Can't Survive

Now I remember the promise I gave you

The night I shipped out as a peace volunteer

As we sat holding hands in the Lamb and Flag tavern

I swore I’d be back for you same time next year

But I killed a man in a Brazzaville street fight

I tried to hold back, but he taunted me so

5 years till they freed me from that Brazzaville prison

Out of boredom or pity, I never will know

Now I bear the stain

The scar on my name

I never can go back again

There’s a love you can’t survive

And it burns you up inside

I sailed my boat into New Orleans harbour

Tied up at the jetty, as bold as you please

With a half-ton of charlie built in to the bulkhead

Right under the noses of all them police

Now here I sit in my house on the mountain

King of the clouds and all I survey

There’s women who are willing, and the law can’t touch me

Yours is the one face that won’t go away