Never been inside
My passage is close
Boys in the river
Are dying from blows

Say hello to civilian
Say hello to the sail

Always been outside
The reason is here
Boys in the river
The tide's drawing near

Say hello to civilian
Say hello to the sail
Goodbye to the order
Goodbye to the shame
Boys in the river
The absolute game

Who is my mother
Your sweetheart's inside
Boys in the river
Caught in the tide

Say hello to civilian (repeat)
Say hello to the sail
Goodbye to the order
Goodbye to the shame
Boys in the river
The absolute game

Goodbye civilian, civilian (repeat)
Goodbye my friend

Never been living, never been living
As orderlies come, as orderlies come
Boys in the river, boys in the river
Have nowhere to run, nowhere to run

(chorus)