Sasebo 1970

Was sittin' in a bamboo bar,
in Sasebo, Japan.
Drinkin' Akadama wine,
thinkin' of my far off land.

I heard, "You lonely sailor man",
felt a rubbin' on my knee,
"Now you buy me drink,
come sit down next to me."

She wasn't like the other girls,
was tall and not quite thin.
Had those laughin', dancin' eyes,
and lips that spoke of sin.

I figured, 'ah, what the hell,
I've got money and I'm brave.
One more life experience
to fill my empty grave.'

She said, "You smell like diesel."
"Well, I'm a submariner, hun,
I live my life down in a pipe,
there's no washin' to be done."

We laughed and danced to elvis,
and then she said to me,
"You come now sailor man,
I want to show you, please?"

She talked to mama-san,
and mama winked at me,
then we left there arm-in-arm,
me thinkin', 'this cant be free'.

She took me back to her place,
and scrubbed me stem to stern,
then joined me in her hotsie bath,
till our hides began to turn.

We spent the night together,
and half the comin' day.
She wouldn't take my money,
when she sent me on my way.

She said that I'd forget her,
and that she was only one,
of many women I would meet,
before my cruise was done.

I never understood it,
I never saw her again,
unless you count the dreams,
and where my thoughts have been.

I've had my share of heartbreaks,
they happen from time to time,
but remembering her assures me,
that one part ticks just fine.