In the late hours of a sunset rendezvous ---
Chill breeze against tide, that carries me from you
Got a job in a southern city --- got some lead-free in my tank
Now I must whisper goodbye --- I'm bound for the mainland

Island in the city, Cut by a cold sea
People moving on an ocean. Groundswell of humanity

Now the sun breaks through rain as I climb Glen Shiel
On the trail of those old cattlemen who drove their bargain south again
And in the eyes of those five sisters of Kintail
There's a wink of seduction from the mainland

Island in the city. Cut by a cold sea
People moving on an ocean. Groundswell of humanity
Storm-lashed on the high-rise --- their words are spray to the wind
Blown like silent laughter. Falling on ears of tin

Take my heart and take my brawn
Take by stealth or take by storm ---
Set my brain to cruise
I can see the glow of the suburb lights
I'm fresh from the out-world ---
Singing the mainland blues

There was a girl where I came from
Seems a long time, long time gone by
Wears the west wind in her hair
She calls from the hill --- yeah, she calls
In my mainland blues
"Now call it for me Martin!"

There's a coast road that winds to heaven's door
Where a fat ferry floats on muted diesel roar
And there's a light on the hillside --- and there's a flame in her
Eyes, but how cold the lights burn on the mainland

Island in the city. Cut by a cold sea
People moving on an ocean. Groundswell of humanity
Storm-lashed on the high-rise --- their words are spray to the wind
Blown like silent laughter. Falling on ears of tin
In my mainland blues