Lyrics
Claustrophobic in Shanghai
Just a couple nights ago I had a strange dream
A troubled mind does funny things while a weary body sleeps
I was on a jetplane heading for the Far East
My only luggage made of wood and six strings
When I’d arrived, I looked around and realized
I’m claustrophobic in Shanghai
There is a schoolhouse on the southwest side of town
It’s been there since the dawn of time, all worn and broken down
The teachers carry cleavers, axes, saws and knives
And if you’ve been defiant, there ain’t nowhere you can hide
I’d look for answers but I’m afraid of what I’d find
I’m claustrophobic in Shanghai
I woke up to a goblin in my closet eating socks
So I went down to my mother, for to have a talk
She tossed me a magic t-shirt, said it would do that job
It sucked that bad old goblin in and put his picture on the cloth
I looked outside my window at the dream I’m stuck inside
I’m claustrophobic in Shanghai
Meanwhile in the West, a crazy Texan went to war
Like a salesman, from door to bloody door
And on his breaks, he’d fill his coffee mug with oil
And quickly, he’d get back to work to claim his dirty spoils
Iron from the highway and fire from the sky
I’m claustrophobic in Shanghai
Devil in a dinner jacket sat me on a stage
We pounded whiskey ‘til he fell upon his face
When he awoke, he handed me a key and said, real kind
“It opens up a secret door deep inside your mind
I won’t go with you, I’m afraid of what’s inside
I’m claustrophobic in Shanghai”
Walking through the alley of the shadow of death
I’m walking through the alley of the shadow of death
A Shepard searches through a pile of trash
He says to me “Kind sir, won’t you spare me a dime?”
I told him “Sorry, but I ain’t got the time”
His staff is broken and his sheep are blind
We’re all claustrophobic in Shanghai