You were a boy from California

who fell in love with a girl

She hailed from these Ozark hills

We were wary travelers searching for the greater good

and time, it stood, still

 

And we talked for hours

over whiskey sours 

about Jesus and our families 

You had your heritage 

but you could not see 

how it fit with the white man’s Christianity

I took your arm 

as our breath lingered in the air 

And you begged and you begged 

for me to come upstairs

You told me that you liked 

the way that I spoke

And the time it came 

and went like smoke

We stood that cold night 

on the edge of eastern seas

Made me wonder if we ever could be 

 

I told you of the trees

how they’d be turning green

and you told me of the seagulls and the big city

All that matters, you whispered

as you pulled me in

is to love and to love freely

 

And we talked for hours

over whiskey sours 

about Jesus and our families 

You had your heritage 

but said you could not see 

how it fit with the white man’s Christianity

You told me you liked 

the way that I spoke

And the time it came 

and it went like smoke

I took your arm 

as our breath lingered in the air 

You begged and you begged 

for me to come upstairs

We stood that cold night 

on the edge of eastern seas

Made me wonder if we could ever be

 

Come with me

you whispered softly

But I only let you walk me to my door

Your dark skin

close to my red lips

That evening in Baltimore