The Incredible String Band
My Father Was a Lighthouse Keeper
Lying on the beach with desire
Rocking to the music of the waves
I was in despair
My heart needed repair
My lover had lied to me
And I was bored by what I saw there

Why? Why! Why?

My father was a lighthouse keeper
Watched the ladies in their gowns
Watched the waves getting steeper
Watched the ships going down

In cadillacs they sailed on the tide
Beneath the pier the sea she stroked the night
I rocked a little then
I moved my body again
My lover kissed my lips
And I was digging what I saw there

Why! Why? Why!

My father was a lighthouse keeper
Watched the ladies in their gowns
Watched the waves getting steeper
Watched the ships going down
We watched the days slip by and the stars explode
And we watched them once again
Oh the laughter rose a cheer
Oh the laughter so nice to hear
Oh the laughter so good and free
Oh the laughter so nice to see

I lay among the shells
And coke cans in my lover - oh yeah
And all the people were eating
And smiling sadly in their big cars
My father gazed from his lighthouse
He saw it all he knew it all
Then he laughed a little
So pretty, so easy