Kilroy was Here

Watch the mist like a blanket bleed on the town

Muffling the streets — damp eiderdown

Step down the gangway onto the pier

Off the tramp steamer that took you all the way here

A shot in a tavern — resurrect your cold bones

Then out on the street in search of lost souls

Approached by a lady of dubious charm

She take you by the arm

Upstairs into a frozen room

She undresses neath an alabaster moon

Whispers "Sweetheart, what would you like me to do?

I'll do anything that you want me to"

But I can't tell her 'cause someone might hear

So I whisper politely, "Kilroy was here."

Up on Christopher the shadows of sad young men

New York Cowboys every one

Lost innocents — some are even sweet

But straight as crooked arrows

Down the foggy winding street

With looks so searching, penetrating and cruel

Hot lasers piercing right down to the cockels of your soul

One of them inquires silently

"Hey Stranger, how 'bout a gift?"

"No, I'm only here to see Montgomery Clift"

"But he's a long time gone

You know what I'm talkin' about, my dear,

And we all know what you're lookin' for down here

The next time you see Monty

You stick your tongue in his ear

And tell him that Kilroy was here."

Up on 57th, a street of bitter cheer

A prophet is celebratin' the Jewish New Year

And the ghosts of all those Christmases past

Troop by like broken mirrors made of Presbyterian glass

A broken hearted Jesus steps down off his cross

Bolts out the door of St. Malachy's Church

"I came to resurrect you, but no one gives a damn

So I'm outa here, you go say your novenas

To some other man"

"Won't you consider your options?"

Cry two ladies in trade

"No, I'm sick of being mistaken for the Marquise de Sade"

"We're so sorry we disappointed you"

But he doesn't want to hear

The cock crowin' in the distance, so I kiss away his tears

And buy him thirty silver dollars worth of beer

And reassure him that "Kilroy was here"

Back on board the First Mate, he is fulminatin'

"Don't you never get tired of you 'little boy' escapin'

Why don't you take all of your memories

Go and store 'em in a locket

Seal it with a kiss, then go drown' em in a bottle"

On the quayside she waits, her face cold and ashen

Shiverin' with fear, we used to call it passion

The tide is rising but the fog has grown deeper

First Mate says "She can't come, but you can keep her

Locked in a drawer next to the cross of your Redeemer

That's the only place for love

On this phantom tramp steamer"

You reach out to hold her but she's startin' to disappear

So you say "Wait for me, I am comin' my dear"

But you've lost her forever 'cause now Jesus has her ear

And he's whisperin' that "Kilroy was here"