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