[Verse 1]
Now I remember the promise I gave you
The night I shipped out as a peace volunteer
As we sat holding hands in the Lamb and Flag tavern
I swore I'd be back for you same time next year

[Verse 2]
But I killed a man in a Brazzaville street fight
I tried to hold back, but he taunted me so
Five years till they freed me from that Brazzaville prison
Out of boredom or pity, I never will know

[Pre-Chorus]
Now I bear the stain
The scar on my name
And I never can go back again

[Chorus]
And there's a love, a love you can't survive
There's a love, a love you can't survive
And it tears you up inside
There's a love you can't survive

[Verse 3]
I sailed my boat into New Orleans harbour
Tied up at the jetty, as bold as you please
With a half-ton of charlie built in to the bulkhead
Right under the noses of all them police
[Verse 4]
Now here I sit in my house on the mountain
I'm king of the clouds and all I survey
There's women who are willing, and the law can't touch me
But yours is the one face that won't go away

[Pre-Chorus]
But I bear the stain
The scar on my name
And I never can go back again

[Chorus]
And there's a love, a love you can't survive
There's a love, a love you can't survive
And it tears, it tears you up inside
And it tears you up inside
There's a love, there's a love you can't survive
There's a love, oh, you can't survive