When the red light shines
On the streets of hate,
Where the devil dines,
Who knows what he ate.
"It's a simple thing
Trying to stay afloat,"
The captain said,
Without his boat.
Some things are getting better,
Other things a little worse.
It's a situation
Much like a curse.
"It's the devil's sidewalk,
It's the devil's door
I've tried to avoid it,"
Said the captain on the shore.
There's a garden growing
And a million weeds,
With no way of knowing
Who's done which deed.
"That's an honest tale,"
Said the helmsman to the mate,
About a woman delicious
And a matter of fate.
Big wheel keep rollin'
Down on me.
"One thing I can tell you,
Is you got to be free."
John Lennon said that.
And "I believe in love."
And I believe in action
When push comes to shove.
"Who cares what you believe,"
Said the captain, amazed.
"If you stood in my shoes
Your eyes would be glazed."
So, my fair damsel
Won't you take your leave?
Are you headed for the country?
Where you wear the green sleeves.
Where the children laugh
And the old folks sing,
And the church bell tolls
For a miraculous thing.
Where the big red furnace
Just glows and glows.
Where the big heart beats.
Where the big wheel rolls.