Here I sleep the morning through

Until the call to prayer awakes me

And there is nothing to do but rise

And follow the day wherever it takes me

I stand at the window and look at the sea

Then I make me a pot of opium tea



Down at the port I watch the boats come in

Watching boats come in can do something to you

And the kids gather round with outstretched hand

And I toss them a diram or two

And I wonder if my children are thinking of me

For I am what I am and what will be will be



I wonder if my kids are thinking of me

And I smile and I sip my opium tea



At night the sea lashes the rust red ramparts

And the shapes of hooded men move past me

And the mad moaning wind, it laughs and it laughs

At the strange lot that fate has cast me

And the cats on the rampart sing merrily

That I am what I am and what will be will be

The cats on the rampart sing merrily

And I sit and I drink my opium tea



I'm a prisoner here, I can never go home

There is nothing here to win or to lose

There are no choices needing to be made at all

Not even the choice of having to choose

I am a prisoner, yes, but I am also free

'Cause I am what I am and what will be will be

I'm a prisoner here, yes, but I'm also free

And I smile and I sip my opium tea