The Last Resort

 

She came from Providence,

the one in Rhode Island

Where the old world shadows hang

heavy in the air

She packed her hopes and dreams

like a refugee

Just as her father came across the sea

 

She heard about a place people were smilin'

They spoke about the red man's way,

and how they loved the land

And they came from everywhere

to the Great Divide

Seeking a place to stand

or a place to hide

 

Down in the crowded bars,

out for a good time,

Can't wait to tell you all,

what it's like up there

And they called it paradise

I don't know why

Somebody laid the mountains low

while the town got high

 

Then the chilly winds blew down

Across the desert

through the canyons of the coast, to

the Malibu

Where the pretty people play,

hungry for power

to light their neon way

and give them things to do

 

Some rich men came and raped the land,

Nobody caught 'em

Put up a bunch of ugly boxes, and Jesus,

people bought 'em

And they called it paradise

The place to be

They watched the hazy sun, sinking in the sea

 

You can leave it all behind

and sail to Lahaina

just like the missionaries did, so many years ago

They even brought a neon sign: "Jesus is coming"

Brought the white man's burden down

Brought the white man's reign

 

Who will provide the grand design?

What is yours and what is mine?

'Cause there is no more new frontier

We have got to make it here

 

We satisfy our endless needs and

justify our bloody deeds,

in the name of destiny and the name

of God

 

And you can see them there,

On Sunday morning

They stand up and sing about

what it's like up there

They call it paradise

I don't know why

You call someplace paradise,

kiss it goodbye