Today the old phantoms came home to roost Like crows on a telephone cable Jet black and glazed were their crowns in the sun The afternoon's shadow was red All day there were 1 2 3 chords in my head And the cymbals and tambourine shakes Like ghosts of old friends I have murdered in song I'm gonna haunt this place when I'm gone Breathing patchouli and cinnamon tea Pouring Malbec from a flagon Brass sailor figurine sings of the sea How they once came on the waves In their fat-bottom boats rusting from the inside Nightshades all wet with the foam Oh draw me an anchor in ink on your arm I'm gonna haunt this place when I'm gone Mother of mine, queen of seashells In your suit of cups I've seen my likeness In a hospital mylar balloon In the slow motion shadows That dance like clouds round the room Lights off and on like a train in a tunnel Speak softly, I know what I've done I'm gonna haunt this place when I'm gone