Once When I Was Young

In the town of Dillingham
I was first out on my own
Crewing on a drift net boat
No money car or phone
I took a leap into the deep
Head first out on the run
Thick as a brick, I could take a lick
Once when I was young

I met you in the harbor bar
Do you remember when
Every night was a red light
Every vagabond a friend
I must have sounded pretty lame
As I tripped over my tongue
Maybe you were awkward too
Once when I was young

Sometimes I dream in silver
Sometimes I dream in gold
Sometimes I dream of you, my love
To keep me from the cold

In the half light of the evening
Your beauty shone like day
When I took you to my room
I could not turn my eyes away.
You put your lips against my lips
Tongue against my tongue.
I thought my heart would blow apart
Once when I was young

But as the season ended
You began to turn away
I couldn’t sleep at all at night
I stumbled through the day
I was lost, tossed, double-crossed
Stranded, I was stung
I almost died of wounded pride
Once when I was young

Sometimes I dream in amber
Sometimes I dream in jade
Sometimes I dream of you, my love
And promises we made

But promises are broken
Yours was first to go
You married in the wintertime
My heart froze hard as snow
Your husband never challenged me
‘Bout what he must have heard
I fished beside him 20 years
He never said a word

I see you in the bar tonight
We nod just like old friends
I look down at your wedding band
To break my heart again
You lift your eyes and stare at me
I see the ring is gone
I follow you into the night
Like once when I was young

Sometimes I dream in black and white
Sometimes in ruby red
Tonight I dream of you, my love
Lying in my bed

Sometimes I dream of rare perfumes
Sometimes of precious gems
Tonight I dream of you, my love…
And the fire comes again