Dear Mama, Port Antonio

Dear Mama, it's cold here in Birmingham town Grey on the rooftops, grey coming down Foreman call me Sonny, can't remember my name Every shift at the foundry feel the very same I fold up the money in the page I write Tell you I'm eating, tell you I'm alright But I see Port Antonio every time I close my eye Blue water, your red dress hanging out to dry Forty years a promise that I'm coming on home Dear Mama, I'm so far, and so alone Your last letter tell me that the guava tree fell Cousin got married and your knee not well You never once ask me when my boat will sail You just sign it "God keep you" at the bottom of the mail I keep every envelope inside a shoe The stamp with the Queen and the ink gone blue And I see Port Antonio every time I close my eye Blue water, your red dress hanging out to dry Forty years a promise that I'm coming on home Dear Mama, I'm so far, and so alone Yours truly, your son Yours truly, your son