Uh thick cloud caught uh piper cubs tail
The match struck blue on uh railroad rail
The old puff horse was just pullin' through
'N uh' man wore uh peg leg forever

I'm on the bum where the hoboes run
The air breaks with filthy chatter
Oh I don't care there's no place there
I don't think it matters

My skin's blazin' through
'N my clothes in tatters
'N the railroad looks
Like uh "why" up the hill of ladders

One shoe fell on the gravel
One stick poked down
Gray of age fell down on uh pair of ears
An eagle shined through my hole watch pocket

Uh gingham girl baby girl
Passed me by in tears
Uh jack rabbit raised his folded ears
Uh beautiful sagebrush jack rabbit

'N an oriole sang like an orange
His breast full uh worms
'N his tail clawed the evenin' like uh hammer
His wings took t' air like uh bomber

'N my rain can caught me uh cup uh water
When I got into town
Odd jobs mam ah' yer horse I'll fodder
I'm the round house man

I once was yer father
Uh little up the road uh wooden
Candy stripe barber pole o
'N above it read uh sign "painless parker"

Licorice twisted around under uh fly
'N uh youngster cocked 'er eye
God before me if I'm not crazy
Is my daughter

Come little one with yer little
Ole dimpled fingers
Gimme one 'n I'll buy you uh cherry phosphate
Take you down t' the foamin' brine 'n water

'N show you the wooden tits
On the Goddess with the pole out full sail
That tempted away yer peg legged father
I was shanghied by uh high hat beaver mustache man

'N his pirate friend
I woke up in vomit 'n beer in uh banana bin
'N uh soft lass with brown skin
Bore me seven babies with snappin black eyes

'N beautiful ebony skin
'N here it is I'm with you my daughter
Thirty years away can make uh seaman's eyes
Uh round house man's eyes flow out water

Salt water

Writer : VAN VLIET, DON
Copyright : Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing