Lyrics

The Final Boat Out


A hitchhiker stands by a highway to no place at all
A line in the sand fading fast as the rain starts to fall
A sign in her hand says take me away from it all
The fire is out and the smoke is beginning to thin
The jury is out but you know that the verdict is in
She says don’t worry about it, it’s only original sin

Scientist planning to quantify the wind and the tide
Prediction in hand – in the deluge there’ll be nowhere to hide
Taking a stand on top of the triple divide
Where the rain to the west washes down through wild Tennessee
Rain to the south rolling down to the sweet southern sea
Rain to the east blowing all the way to Galilee

Islands washing away, you can believe your eyes
Down here by the Bay you can see it’s true
Islands washing away, see the waters rising
Believe what you like, but a finger in the dike just won’t do

The climber descends, seeking shelter in the pines
There’s a wild wicked wind and there’s lightning in three-quarter time
A grandmother storm coming on like a Biblical sign
Mother superior praying for a rainbow sign
Maybe she’s run out of luck, or just out of time
She’s got reasonable doubt – maybe it’s the end of the line

Distant from shore, a skater breathless and still
As the crack of the ice echoes through the hills
Like a roll of the dice, you know your number comes up when it will
Snow to the north drifting to the new north sea
Snow to the south is nothing but a memory
Snow to the east blowing all the way to Galilee

Islands washing away, believe your eyes
The family is packed and we’re taking the final boat out
Islands washing away, the water’s rising
The wind and the tide call the tune while you dance in your shadow of doubt


Islands washing away, you can believe your eyes
Down here by the Bay you can see it’s true
Islands washing away, see the waters rising
Believe what you like, a finger in the dike just won’t do