Oh the bodies of drowned sailors and dead airmen
flounder upside down beneath the roaring wave
and the fishes eat the flesh from off their fingers
and the sea is so much deeper than the grave
and the pale English stone stands alone over me
oh the bodies rise and fall in slow motion
as the flesh gives way to coral and her charms
if you listen hard you'll hear the sea is breathing
and she's waiting there to hold you in her arms
and the pale English sun shone over me

oh the telegram is lying on the table
you left it there you can't believe its true
God finds you naked and he leaves you dying
what happens in between is up to you
and the luminous rose glows over me over me