In the late hours of a sunset rendezvous ---

chill breeze against tide, that carries me from you.

Got a job in a southern city --- got some lead-free in my tank.

Now I must whisper goodbye --- I'm bound for the mainland.



Island in the city, Cut by a cold sea.

People moving on an ocean. Groundswell of humanity.



Now the sum breaks through rain as I climb Glen Shiel

on the trail of those old cattlemen who drove their bargain south again.

And in the eyes of those five sisters of Kintail

there's a wink of seduction from the mainland.



Island in the city. Cut by a cold sea.

People moving on an ocean. Groundswell of humanity.

Storm-lashed on the high-rise --- their words are spray to the wind.

Blown like silent laughter. Falling on ears of tin.



Take my heart and take my brawn.

Take by stealth or take by storm ---

set my brain to cruise.

I can see the glow of the suburb lights.

I'm fresh from the out-world ---

singing the mainland blues.



There was a girl where I came from.

Seems a long time, long time gone by.

Wears the west wind in her hair.

She calls from the hill --- yeah, she calls

in my mainland blues.



There's a coast road that winds to heaven's door

where a fat ferry floats on muted diesel roar.

And there's a light on the hillside --- and there's a flame in her

eyes, but how cold the lights burn on the mainland.



Island in the city. Cut by a cold sea.

People moving on an ocean. Groundswell of humanity.

Storm-lashed on the high-rise --- their words are spray to the wind.

Blown like silent laughter. Falling on ears of tin

in my mainland blues.