Walking down the Reeperbahn at night towards the harbour light
My city’s never been this dark before
People hustling by and by as lies, deceit and alibis
Is all we can expect and nothing more.
Is all we can be really asking for.
Out of the shadows steps a man, a bible clutched in his left hand
He says they nailed Jesus so that we can sin.
I watch him slowly disappear, dissolve, surrender to his fear
It’s heads or tails, you either lose or win.
It’s heads or tails, you either lose or win.
And I see friends and other strangers pass me by
Friends and other strangers pass me by.
Life is full of highs and lows, I don’t dare to tell what I need most
I hide in my mediocrity.
I’m the unknown path you fear to tread, a cancer cell that starts to spread
Your voice sounds like a funeral to me.
His voice sounds like a funeral to me.
So bring your torches and let’s burn the temple to the ground and turn
To those that will find solace when they pray.
We creatures of virtue and of vice, we defying all advice
If God exists in heaven we will pay
If God exists then he will make us pay.
And I see friends and other strangers pass me by
Friends and other strangers pass me by.
She stood beneath the neon sign, he walked out past closing time
A twist of fate and an elusive smile
You pay her what she asks you to, you ask no questions, follow through
Make her believe that you are without guile.
Trust me, lady, I am without guile.
She’s 18 years, maybe 19, the softest skin you’ve ever seen
A knife, a sudden sting and one last thrill.
The midnight wind blows in her back, agony creeps up her neck
And all around her everything goes still
All around her the world goes still.
And I see friends and other strangers pass me by
Friends and other strangers pass me by.
Walking down the Reeperbahn at night towards the harbour light
My city’s never been this dark before.
You’re in every nightmare I have known, my killer and my methadone
I used to care, but I don’t care anymore.
I used to care, but I don’t care anymore.
Music & Lyrics by John Allen.