Icelandic Postcards

[Verse] I'm writing this in pencil on my knee with my other hand to stop me yawning [yawn] Upon a primitive, unsheltered dock in the small hours of wednesday morning The summer day is dawning, [Chorus] In seydisfjordur every school boy knows that daylight in the summer never goes [verse] Now for the spirit of the people, here I know I'm treading on dangerous ground I know they're many changes in the air But know my data too slight to be sound I know I'm inviting the renowned [Chorus] Retort of all who love the status quo Youc an't change human nature, don't you know? [verse] we've still, it's true, the same shape and appearance, We haven't changed the way that kissing's done. The average man still hates all interference, is just as proud still of his new-born son still, like a hen, he likes his private run, [chorus] scratches for self-esteem, and slyly pecks, a good deal in the neighborhood of sex [verse] So if ostensibly I write to you to chat about your poetry or mine there're many other reasons though it's true that i have at the age of twenty-nine just red don juan and I found it fine [chorus] I red it on the boat to reykjavik except when eating or asleep or sick [verse] The thought of writing came to me today I like to give these facts of time and space The bus was in the desert on its way From mothrudalur to some other place the tears were streaming down my burning face [chorus] I'd caught a heavy cold in Akureyri Lunch was late and life looked very dreary [Verse] Banker, landlord, booking clerk or pope, whenever he's lost faith in choice and thought, when a man sees the future without hope, whenever he endorses hobb's report "the life of man is nasty, brutish, short" [chorus] dragon rises from his garden border promises to set up law and order letters from iceland (letters from iceland) letters from iceland (letters from iceland)