Billy came from the east
You came from the sea
Came with a heart full of hope
And a head full of dreams

I danced in your arms
And then in your arms I did sleep
And you promised me
Never would I ever weep

Wake up, Billy my love
I'm goin' away
I can't stand to see you
Dyin' this way

Your dreams aren't your own, now
They belong to the habit you keep
They belong to the needle
The serum, the sleep

Billy, a letter that came
Said you passed away
Arms so shot full of holes
No life they could hold

I'll cut off your limbs
And bury your body at sea
And leave your arms on the shore
For the buzzards to eat

Billy, you came from the east
You came from the sea
Came with a heart full of hope
And a head full of dreams

Go rest in peace, now
On the bed of the ocean you'll sleep
And you never will wake
And forever I'll weep