Now in this faraway land
Strange that the palms of my lands
Should be damp with expectancy

Spring and the air's turning mild
City lights and the glimpse of a child
Of the alleyway infantry

Friends do they know what I mean
Rain and the gathering green
Of an afternoon out-of-town

But Lord I had to go
My trail was laid too slow behind me
To face the call of fame
Or make a drunkyard's name for me
Though now this other life
Has brought a different understanding
And from these endless days
Shall come a broader sympathy
And though I count the hours
To be alone's no injury

My home was a place near the sand
Cliffs and a military band
Blew an air of normality