Ashes To Ashes

All through the port, past Chinatown’s gate
The thieves and grifters were forced to wait
Each seeking passage on the riverboat south
Gold filled their purses, lies filled their mouths
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
You dreamed in the lamplight by the waterfront pier
Transit guaranteed by handlers far from here
Your papers in order, identity assumed
A raft to convey you moored beneath the moon
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Smoking in her stateroom far below deck
Rosa Coldfield barely kept herself in check
She scrawled your face on a mirror so cold
She called your name in a voice so bold
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Your dreams were unhindered, desires unbound
You lingered for an hour with the treasure you’d found
You steeled yourself for travel, unpacked your blade
Your mind always on all the money you’d made
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Miss Coldfield spoke freely with no sense of tact
And foolish disregard for the force at her back
The docks of New Orleans teemed with traffic that day
But no-one seemed to notice as they carried her away
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Caracas blazed before you with the rising sun
Her strangers would forgive you everything you’d done
In the street you threw a coin into a beggar’s cup
You looked down, he looked up
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; Ashes to ashes, dust to dust