When you tucked my tails,
smoothed my hair,
on the steps of the Metropolitan
I was holding my breath,
hedging my bets,
heavy on speculation
that you were inviting me in
to wander the lengths of your hallowed halls,
to be lectured on the dangers
of sinking ships.

"I'll be quiet, sir. I won't say nothing at all."

But couldn't you just get lost in this watery grave?
Standing on the decks of sinking ships
hands on my shoulders
you're steering me.

But couldn't you just get lost
on the pitch and roll of these waves?
So many sailors lost to this [bad word] sea.
So says the ocean: "What's that got to do with me?"

I found you lost
in front of some spill of brilliant oils
all hemmed in by gilded frames
and filigreed names;
a blush of cooling flesh.

And then you say flip,
some general spill of devotion
all whistled through your crooked teeth.
I never noticed your crooked teeth.

You're crying but you've never met.
"Well, that's the point I guess.
You missed the point I guess."
I missed the point, I guess.

"Well here's my point I guess:
her back is broken she washed up a mess.
Well, here's my point I guess:
What's she got to do with me?
Well, here's my point I guess:
her back is broken and [bad word] free."

Little stallion kicking up the [bad word] free.
The [bad word] aren't giving up their pearls
and this is free.
So many pearls, so many pearls, so many tossed off.
But couldn't you just get lost
on this swollen sea?

Standing on the deck of sinking ships,
hands on my shoulders
you're steering me.

But couldn't you just get lost
on the pitch and the roll and the sway?

So many sailors lost to this [bad word] sea.
So says the ocean: "What's that got to do with me?"
So many sailors lost to this [bad word] sea.
So many sailors lost to me...