Pleasures Of The Harbor Lyrics - Live Again! - Phil Ochs

And the ship sets the sail 

They've lived the tale 

To carry to the shore 

Straining at the oars 

Or staring from the rail 

And the sea bids farewell 

She waves in swells 

And sends them on their way 

Time has been her pay 

And time will have to tell 

Oh, soon your 

Sailing will be over 

Come and take 

The pleasures of the harbor 

And the anchor hits the sand 

The hungry hands 

Have tied them to the port 

The hour will be short 

For leisure on the land 

And the girls scent the air 

They seem so fair 

With paint on their face 

Soft is their embrace 

To lead them up the stairs 

Soon your 

Sailing will be over 

Come and take 

The pleasures of the harbor 

In the room dark and dim 

Touch of skin 

He asks her of her name 

She answers with no shame 

And not a sense of sin 

'Til the fingers draw the blinds 

Sip of wine 

The cigarette of doubt 

The candle is blown out 

The darkness is so kind 

Oh, soon your 

Sailing will be over 

Come and take 

The pleasures of the harbor 

And the shadows frame the light 

Same old sight 

Thrill has blown away 

Now all alone they lay 

Two strangers in the night 

Till his heart skips a beat 

He's on his feet 

To shipmates he must join 

She's counting up the coins 

He's swallowed by the street 

Oh, soon your 

Sailing will be over 

Come and take 

The pleasures of the harbor 

In the bar hangs a cloud 

The whiskey's loud 

There's laughter in their eyes 

The lonely in disguise 

Are clinging to the crowd 

And the bottle fills the glass 

The haze is fast 

He's trembling for the taste 

Of passion gone to waste 

In memories of the past 

Oh, soon your 

Sailing will be over 

Come and take 

The pleasures of the harbor 

In the alley, red with rain 

Cry of pain 

For love was but a smile 

Teasing all the while 

Now dancing down the drain 

'Til the boys reach the dock 

They gently mock 

And lift him on their backs 

Lay him on his rack 

And leave beneath the light 

Oh, soon your 

Sailing will be over 

Come and take 

The pleasures of the harbor 

And the ship sets the sail 

They've lived the tale 

To carry from the shore 

Straining at the oars 

Or staring from the rail 

And the sea bids farewell 

She waves in swells 

And sends them on their way 

Time has been her pay 

And time will have to tell 

Oh, soon your 

Sailing will be over 

Come and take 

The pleasures of the harbor