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pleasures of the harbor (live in vancouver) - phil ochs lyrics

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[intro]
one of the most exciting things about the twentieth century, and one of the most lyrical forms you’d find now, is movies, in varying stages. i was, i was always a john wayne fan when i was very young. i think uh–

that’s one of the dilemmas we have. one of the dilemmas that america presents is that many of america’s greatest, truly greatest artists are very right*wing and reactionary and not particularly intelligent. but they’re still great, they’re truly great in their own mediums. i think john wayne is one of the greatest men ever to step in front of a screen.

the john wayne / john ford combination was really very lyrical. they made a lot, all the calvary movies. and they also made some o’neill stuff, some irish, eugene o’neill plays. they made a movie called the long voyage home which i saw when i was about three or something.

this song came from that movie, ultimately, subconsciously. it’s called “pleasures of the harbor.” which i’ll dedicate to john ford and john wayne. n0body takes, n0body can take you seriously these days.

[verse 1]
and the ship sets the sail
they’ve lived the tale
to carry to the shore
straining at the oars
or staring from the rail
and the sea bids farewell
she waves and swells
and sends them on their way
time has been her pay
and time will have to tell

[chorus]
oh, soon your sailing will be over
come and take the pleasures of the harbor

[verse 2]
and the anchor hits the sand
the hungry hands
have tied them to the port
the hour will be short
for leisure on the land
and the girls scent the air
they seem so fair
with paint upon their face
soft is their embrace
to lead them up the stairs
[chorus]
oh, soon your sailing will be over
come and take the pleasures of the harbor

[verse 3]
in the room dark and dim
touch of skin
he asks her of her name
she answers with no shame
and not a sense of sin
’til the fingers draw the blind
the sip of wine
the cigarette of doubt
the candle is blown out
the darkness is so kind

[chorus]
oh, soon your sailing will be over
come and take the pleasures of the harbor

[verse 4]
and the shadows frame the light
the same old sight
the thrill has flown away
all alone they lay
two strangers in the night
’til his heart skips a beat
he’s on his feet
to shipmates he must join
she’s counting up the coins
he’s swallowed by the street
[chorus]
oh, soon your sailing will be over
come and take the pleasures of the harbor

[verse 5]
in the bar hangs a cloud
the whiskey’s loud
there’s laughter in their eyes
the lonely in disguise
are clinging to the crowd
and the bottle fills the glass
the haze is fast
he’s trembling for the taste
of passion gone to waste
in memories of the past

[chorus]
oh, soon your sailing will be over
come and take the pleasures of the harbor

[verse 6]
in the alley red with rain
cry of pain
for love was but a smile
teasing all the while
now dancing down the drain
’til the boys reach the dock
they gently mock
and lift him on their backs
and lay him on his rack
to leave beneath the light
[chorus]
oh, soon your sailing will be over
come and take the pleasures of the harbor

[verse 7]
and the ship sets the sail
they’ve lived the tales
to carry from the shores
straining at the oars
or staring from the rails
and the sea bids farewell
she waves and swells
and sends them on their way
time has been her pay
and time will have to tell

[chorus]
oh, soon your sailing will be over
come and take the pleasures of the harbor

- phil ochs lyrics

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