Islands

I've been to Pensacola, but never to Rome I've walked the waters of the Gulf of Mexico I always liked the bay over the oceanside The calmer waters seemed more inviting But maybe that was because it was long ago And now I've grown old and more practical The islands are a-calling The islands are a-calling I'm flying in, drinking champagne On this pleasure boat Just like the California coast The islands are a-calling The islands are a-calling You told me to go, and have a good time That it'd be silly to let it slip by So I took your advice So I'm drinking margaritas on a Saturday night You are looking real fine and you're feeling alright But my world came crashing down right as I got off the plane When a phone call came in and this is what they said: "You've got to go home" "You've got to go home" The islands are a-calling The islands are a-calling I'm flying in, drinking champagne On this pleasure boat Just like the California coast On this island in the middle of the ocean I'm still wearing my bathrobe with the windows open Eating breakfast of fancy coffee and eggs There's palm trees and driftwood just like Hemingway said But when I called you on the phone, I heard your rambling words You must have known it was me in a state of disbelief There's parties going on every night of the week But the ghosts of the ocean are talking most loudly You've got to go home You've got to go home The islands are a-calling The islands are a-calling You told me to go, and have a good time That it'd be silly to let it slip by So I took your advice You let me go You must have known That your pleasure was gone You let me go You must have known That your pleasure was gone Flying out, I see the coral reef Just like a map, how it shows impossible relief I never liked planes, but it's naïve to think That it was better when you couldn't see a thing If this were another time, I don't know where I'd be I might have never left your side or miss it entirely But here we are on this beautiful day Eating for pleasure, together one last time The islands are a-calling The islands are a-calling I'm flying in, drinking champagne On this pleasure boat Just like the California coast