Stephin Merritt - In China, Said The Moon...

 

"in china,"
said the moon
who brings me nightly news
"I chanced to gaze upon
a girl with tiny shoes
with pain in her sole
she stirs her fishbowl
her four fish, far from free
are far more free than she."

"in fez-land,"
said the moon
"I guided a young man
astride his great white steed
beside a caravan
through long nights he sighed
and longed for his bride
he loved, as he vowed
but then...but then a cloud..."

"in lisbon,"
said the moon
"I kissed a blackamoor
the slave of camá¶ens
the lusiad's auteur
the faithful slave's palms
were held out for the alms
to pay for food and rent
there's now a monument."