Verse
C# Fm
She was well rehearsed, fair brown and blonde
A#m F#
She had friends who was busboys and friends in the Pentagon
C# Fm/C A#m G# F#
Playin' a show in Miami in the theater of divine comedy.
[Verse 2]
C# Fm
Talked in the shadows where they talked in the rain
A#m F#
I could tell she was still feelin' the pain
C# Fm/C A#m G# F#
Pain of rejection, pain of infidelity.
[Verse 3]
C# Fm
Was she a child or a woman? I can't say which
A#m F#
One to another she could easily switch.
C# Fm/C A#m G# F#
Couples were dancin' an' i lost track of the hours.
[Verse 4]
C# Fm
He was well prepared, i knew he was
A#m F#
Paying attention like a rattlesnake does
C# Fm/C A#m G# F#
When he's hearin' footsteps tramplin' over his flowers.
[Chorus 1]
B C# F# B
And that Caribbean winds still blow from Nassau to Mexico
B C# F#
From the circle of ice to the furnace of desire.
B C# F# B
An' them distant ships of liberty on 'em iron waves so bold and free
B F# C#
Bringing everything that's near to me, nearer to the fire.
[Instrumental]
A#m D#
A#m F7
A#m D#
F7 D#
A#
[Verse 5]
C# Fm
She looked into my soul through the clothes that i wore
A#m F#
She said, "We got a mutual friend standin' at the door.
C# Fm/C A#m G# F#
Yeah, you know he's got our best interest in mind.”
[Verse 6]
C# Fm
He was well connected, but her heart was a snare
A#m F#
And she had left him to die in there
C# Fm/C A#m G# F#
Here were payments due and he was a little behind.
[Verse 7]
C# Fm
Well i slept in a hotel where flies buzz my head
A#m F#
Ceiling fan was broken, there was heat in my bed
C# Fm/C A#m G# F#
Street band playin', "Nearer My God To Thee.”
[Verse 8]
C# Fm
We met in secret where we drank from a spring
A#m F#
She said, "I know what you're thinkin', but there ain't a thing
C# Fm/C A#m G# F#
We can do about it, so we might as well let it be.”
[Chorus 2]
B C# F# B
The Caribbean winds still blow from Nassau to Mexico
B C# F#
From the circle of ice to the furnace of desire.
B C# F# B
An' them distant ships of liberty on 'em iron waves so bold and free
B F# C#
Bringing everything that's near to me, nearer to the fire.
[Instrumental]
A#m D#
A#m F7
A#m D#
F7 D#
A#
[Verse 9]
C# Fm
Atlantic City, two years to the day
A#m F#
I hear a voice cryin', "Daddy” and i looked that way
C# Fm/C A#m G# F#
But it's only the silence on the buttermilk hills that call.
[Verse 10]
C# Fm
Every new messenger bringin' evil reports
A#m F#
'Bout riotin' armies and time that is short
C# Fm/C A#m G# F#
An' earthquakes and train wrecks and hate words scribbled on walls.
[Verse 11]
C# Fm
Would i have married her? I don't know i suppose
A#m F#
She had bells in her braids and they hung to her toes
C# Fm/C A#m G# F#
But i heard my mirrored destiny said to be movin' on.
[Verse 12]
C# Fm
And i felt it come over me, some kind of gloom
A#m F#
For the sake of "Come on with me girl, i got plenty of room.”
C# Fm/C A#m G# F#
But i knew i'd be lyin' and besides she had already gone.
[Chorus 3]
B C# F# B
And that Caribbean winds still blow from Nassau to Mexico
B C# F#
Circle of ice to the furnace of desire.
B C# F# B
And them busy ships of liberty on 'em iron waves so bold and free
B F# C#
Bringing everything that's near to me, nearer to the fire.
[Instrumental]
A#m D#
A#m F7
A#m D#
F7 D#
E