Cheap Evening Return

Daemon had just dropped by to pass the time

With a peaceful cigarette

Or maybe with a roll-up filter-tip

He'd still not made it yet

Yes, went on down that old cafe

By the harbour for a little change of view

Took a seat next to the window

Like he would like to do

Saw the fishing boats

The time children fighting over an ice-cream cone

And a pack of Camels on the shelf and beach

Through the rings of smoke he'd blown

Chimney shadows of the factories

Grey walls across the floor

Telegraph-poles and sandy coves

Running down and alone to the shore

Yes, and the statue by the quayside

Of the lancer, once so proud and brave

All in remembrance of his heroic deeds

As he lies at peace in his grave

Yes, in eighteen twenty-four

Somebody had won a war for sure, he thought

And there were flags and ribbons waving

There was feast and celebration, in the air cries of joys

While outside by a steam-shovel

Was a child playing with a toy

Cheap evening return

Cheap evening return

Cheap evening return

Yes, in nineteen thirty-four

Somebody had lost a war

There was trial and tribulation

Oh and the laundry lines with pants that dance

Shirts flying in the careless breeze

Overgrown garden-house, glass, doctor, leaves

Falling from the trees

Like merging into one, lemmings on the run

Perhaps should be somewhere else, who could

Slithering down the sky was candy floss

The child had tossed it up against the window pane

And by nineteen something or other

Yes somebody might like another war

There could be nothin' left to fight for anymore

There'll be feast and celebration, in the air cries of joy

While outside by a little barrel

Was a child playing with a toy

Cheap evening return

Cheap evening return

Cheap evening return