Suzzannah

Listen to me brother and I'll tell you what to do,

I've studied cruel bastards and I know a thing or two,

They'll hook you up with shining stuff and get you things for free,

Then laugh at you and cast you to the sea.

Last night you were knealing in the avocado groves,

The Mayans and the Sirens were singing far below,

Please untie the ribbons that are given for your sight,

Sacrifice your appetite and bring Suzzannah home tonight.

Every sawyer's busy splitting redwoods for the prow,

And lawyer's parlaying in sentences now,

And every fate is tide to hate the one sunspotted cow,

And breed in the seed of the sow.

Let them be believing there are reasons they should die,

What good is it that they should know what fortunes they supply,

"I want the king of England, Charlie, get him on the phone,

Say we've got to foil the plot to bring Suzzannah home."

The throng of calm is falling,

To a cold wet spot on the ground,

And the minor song is calling,

And the awning is coming down.

But Jengo's in the mangroves with a banjo in the breeze,

And the man who knows the canto is recalling it for me,

And I am with Suzzannah and the dam is on my right,

And I'm enjoying that ignoring it is willing us to wither in the light.