Laugh a bit, drink a bit, love a bit more,
You can supply our need.
Chaff a bit, think a bit, what's it all for?
That's your Eurasian creed.
Sailors with sentimental hearts
Who love and sail away
When the dawn is grey
Look at you and say
Half-caste woman, living a life apart.
Where did your story begin?
Half-caste woman, have you a secret heart
Waiting for someone to win?
Were you born of some queer magic
In your shimmering gown?
Is there something strange and tragic
Deep, deep down?
Half-caste woman, what are your slanting eyes
Waiting and hoping to see?
Scanning the far horizon
Wondering what the end will be
Down along the river
The sky is a quiver
For dawn is beginning to break.
Hear the sirens wailing
Some big ship is sailing.
And leaving your dreams in its wake.
Why should you remember the things that are past
Moments so softly gone.
Why worry for the Lord knows
Life goes on.
Go to bed in daylight.
Try to sleep in vain.
Get up in the evening.
Work begins again.
Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief
Questioning the same refrain.
Half-caste woman, living a life apart.
Where did your story begin?
Half-caste woman, have you a secret heart
Waiting for someone to win?
Were you born of some queer magic
In your shimmering gown?
Is there something strange and tragic
Deep, deep down?
Half-caste woman, what are your slanting eyes
Waiting and hoping to see?
Scanning the far horizon,
Wondering what the end will be.