Fish - Black Canal

Have another beer boy, take it with a pinch of snuff
And my eyes were bedazzled, by the jewels in his silken cuff
and a voice rolled out from an ashen cloud from behind a long cigar
Son, you'll never need to smell the black canal

It was as if he'd read my mind, as if he expected it
and, as the afternoon was wasted, I became aware
I was becoming wrapped up in his world
I became aware of the smell from the bouquet in his buttonhole

It was taking me away from the canal
and away from my questions
I was aware that the perfumes were all around us
And he sold me the city, well at least he tried to with all his stories
All the silks out of China
And all the satins out of Spain
All the powders for your noses
will keep the stench at bay

Have another beer boy, take it with a pinch of snuff
Your eyes will be bedazzled, by the jewels in my scented cuff
And a voice rolled out from an ashen cloud from behind a long cigar
Son, you'll never need to smell this black canal

And my world was spinnin', my head was awash
with this promises and his beer
And I looked up as he reached down
and snorted the flower in his buttonhole