[Verse 1: Michael Stipe]
They crowded up to Lenin with their noses worn off
A handshake is worthy, if it's all that you've got
Metal shivs on wood pushed through our back
There's a splinter in your eye and it reads 'react'
Ooh

[Verse 2: Michael Stipe, (Mike Mills)]
They've shifted the statues for harboring ghosts
(Laocoön is host)
Reddened their necks and collared their clothes
(The library hollowed)
Then we ditched the books with the middles cut out
(Friendly harbor ghosts)
She gathered the cornеrs and collared her gown
(She wantеd me to tell it to you)
She said

[Chorus: Michael Stipe, (Mike Mills), Bill Berry]
Ooh
(Please help me, please) Find my harbor coat
(Harborcoat is long away)
Can't go outside without it
(Harborcoat is gone, woah-woah-woah-woah)
(Please help me, please) Find my harbor coat
(Harborcoat is long away)
Can't go outside without it
(Harborcoat is gone, woah-woah-woah-woah)
[Verse 3: Michael Stipe, (Mike Mills)]
They crowded up to Lenin with their noses worn off
(Tell her I will send hers ahead)
A handshake is worthy, if it's all that you've got
(You'll have done no wrong)
Metal shivs on wood pushed through our back
(Would I kiss her ass?)
There's a splinter in your eye and it reads 'react'
(Would I read the signs?)
R-E-A

[Chorus: Michael Stipe, (Mike Mills), Bill Berry]
Ooh
(Please help me, please) Find my harbor coat
(Harborcoat is long away)
Can't go outside without it
(Harborcoat is gone, woah-woah-woah-woah)
(Please help me, please) Find my harbor coat
(Harborcoat is long away)
Can't go outside without it
(Harborcoat is gone, woah-woah-woah-woah)
Woo-ooh

[Verse 4: Michael Stipe, (Mike Mills)]
They've shifted the statues for harboring ghosts
(With your feathers in)
Reddened their necks and collared their clothes
(You'll have done no wrong)
Then we danced the dance 'til the menace got out
(Friendly harbor ghosts)
And then they gathered the corners and collared her gown
(She went to tell her son)
[Chorus: Michael Stipe, (Mike Mills), Bill Berry]
Ooh
(Please help me, please) Find my harbor coat
(Harborcoat is long away)
Can't go outside without it
(Harborcoat is gone, woah-woah-woah-woah)
(Please help me, please) Find my har-
(Harborcoat is long away)
(Can't go outside without it)
(Harborcoat is gone, woah-woah-woah-woah)

[Outro: Michael Stipe, Peter Buck]
So I used to know these guys when I lived in St. Louis
In my checkered high school days
'Cause when we get my
They say, "Lay down"
(One, two, three, four)