Kilroy Was Here

KILROY WAS HERE
 Watch the mist like a blanket bleed on the town
 Muffling the streets, damp eiderdown
 Step down the gangway onto the pier
 Off the tramp steamer that took you all the way here
 A shot in a tavern, resurrect your cold bones
 Then out on the street in search of lost souls
 Approached by a lady of dubious charm
 She takes you by the arm
 Upstairs into a frozen room
 She undresses 'neath an alabaster moon
 Whispers, "Sweetheart, what would you like me to do?
 I'll do anything that you want me to"
 But I can't tell her 'cause someone might hear
 So I whisper politely, "Kilroy was here."
 Up on Christopher the shadows of sad young men
 New York Cowboys every one
 Lost innocents, some are even sweet
 But straight as crooked arrows
 Down the foggy winding street
 With looks so searching, penetrating and cruel
 Hot lasers piercing right down to the cockles of your soul
 One of them inquires silently
 "Hey Stranger, how 'bout a gift?"
 "No, I'm only here to see Montgomery Cliff."
 "But he's a long time gone
 You know what I'm talkin' about, my dear,
 And we all know what you're lookin' for down here
 The next time you see Monty
 You stick your tongue in his ear
 And tell him that Kilroy was here."
 Up on 57th, a street of bitter cheer
 A prophet is celebratin' the Jewish New Year
 And the ghosts of all those Christmases past
 Troop by like broken mirrors made of Presbyterian glass
 A broken hearted Jesus steps down off his cross
 Bolts out the door of St. Malachy's Church
 "I came to resurrect you, but no one gives a damn
 So I'm outa here, you go say your novenas
 To some other man"
 "Won't you consider your options?"
 Cry two ladies in trade
 "No, I'm sick of being mistaken for the Marquise de Sade"
 "We're so sorry we disappointed you."
 But he doesn't want to hear
 The cock crowin' in the distance, so I kiss away his tears
 Buy him thirty silver dollars worth of beer
 And reassure him that "Kilroy was here"
 Back on board the First Mate, he is fulminatin'
 "Don't you never get tired of you 'little boy' escapin'
 Why don't you take all of your memories
 Go store 'em in a locket
 Seal it with a kiss, then go drown' em in a bottle."
 On the quayside she waits, her face cold and ashen
 Shiverin' with fear, we used to call it passion
 The tide is rising but the fog has grown deeper
 First Mate says, "She can't come, but you can keep her
 Locked in a drawer next to the cross of your Redeemer
 That's the only place for love
 On this phantom tramp steamer."
 You reach out to hold her but she's startin' to disappear
 So you say "Wait for me, I am comin' my dear."
 But you've lost her forever 'cause now Jesus has her ear
 And he's whisperin', "Kilroy was here."
 "I came to resurrect you..."
 "Won't you consider your options?"
 "I came to resurrect you but no one gave a damn..."
 © Starry Plough Music (BMI)