[Verse 1] Well, look what washed up on my shore. He's found another fool. I know that look. I've worn it, lad. I learned it at his school. He promised gold beneath the sand, Enough to buy a crown. I had a taste for other men's. He knew what bait to dangle down. I followed where his finger led. I thought we'd struck a deal. He spoke of riches. Never said What he'd expect to steal. One night I reached to take my share. My fingers passed straight through. The bastard kept the treasure. This was all that I was due. [Chorus] Take the bastard's key. Make him come and bargain. You've got something that he needs. I've had enough of haunting Every mile of this cold sea. You've still a life worth getting back. Don't spend it here with me. If he wants his little wonder, Make him pay. Take the bastard's key. [Verse 2] He set me walking up the coast To put a fright in men. A lantern where no ship could float. A footstep. Gone again. They'd carry stories inland. He'd send me out for more. I scared their sons. I scared their sons' sons. Still I walked the shore. Then once, before he sent me out, I saw him turn away. He'd left this thing beside the glass. I took it. Made my day. Don't ask me what the bloody thing Was ever meant to do. I only know he wanted it. That seemed a decent clue. [Chorus] Take the bastard's key. Make him come and bargain. You've got something that he needs. I've had enough of haunting Every mile of this cold sea. You've still a life worth getting back. Don't spend it here with me. If he wants his little wonder, Make him pay. Take the bastard's key. [Verse 3] He couldn't find me after that. I watched him search in vain. I laughed until I tried to leave And found another chain. The old man couldn't call me home. The tide would not let go. I'd won the finest stretch of hell A dead man gets to know. I'd dearly love to crack his jaw. I've had the years to plan. But every fist I've raised since then Went through a living man. I'm tired of counting shipwrecks. I'm tired of keeping score. I'd trade the lot to take one step That wasn't on this shore. [Bridge] That thing around your shoulders, That face you cannot bear— There's someone living underneath. I know. I see him there. So ask him for your body. Get his promise. Make it plain. Don't let him dress another curse As something you can gain. I can't tell you how it opens. I can't tell you what it's worth. But I've seen him hunt this trinket Like the last damned coin on earth. The sky is getting lighter. You'd best be on your way. I've nothing left to buy with it. You might yet buy a day. [Final Chorus] Take the bastard's key. Let him come and bargain. You've got something that he needs. I've had enough of haunting Every mile of this cold sea. Go get the life he took from you. Leave the walking dead to me. If he wants his little wonder, Make him pay. Take the bastard's key. [Outro] Here. It's yours. Don't thank me yet. I've no advice on being free. The tide went out. For once, my feet Did not go out with it. Well, I'll be damned. There's somewhere else That I can be.
