Grace Cathedral hill 

All wrapped in bones of setting sun 

All dust and stone and moribund 

I paid twenty-five cents to light 

A little white candle 

For a New Year's Day 

I sat and watched it burn away 

Then turned and weaved 

Through slow decay 

We were both a little hungry 

So we went to get hot dog 



Down to Hyde Street Pier 

The light was slight and disappeared 

The air it stunk of fish and beer 

We heard a Superman trumpet 

Play the national anthem 



And the world may be long for you 

But'll never belong to you 

But on a motorbike 

When all the city lights 

Blind your eyes tonight 

Are you feeling better now? 



Some way to greet the year: 

Your eyes all bright and 

Brim with tears 

The pilgrims, pills, and tourists here 

Will sink fifty-three bucks to buy 

A brand new halo 



Sweet on a green-eyed girl 

All fiery Irish clip and curl 

All brine and piss and vinegar 

I paid twenty-five cents to light 

A little white candle 



And the world may be long for you 

But'll never belong to you 

But on a motorbike 

When all the city lights 

Blind your eyes tonight 

Are you feeling better now?