When we were apprentice to Rome and We trod the hills of Spain The roads were open, the company good We rose where we had lain You said we'd take our pleasure again That our love was not in vain But Spanish girls with raven curls Would ease me of my pain When none of our hours were numbered We strolled on England's shore Our steps were anxious, our silences long We rose by the ocean's roar You tried to take my hand in your own You tried to rule my brain But London girls with golden curls Would ease me of my pain When all our senses were reeling We sailed to black Tangier Our eyes were clouded, our kisses were numb Our time was drawing near You search the ashes and search the coal Searching a common name While Arabian girls with perfume curls They eased me of my pain You sang of lovers as restless as we Who in other rooms did lie Rolling and tumbling all over the night So why not you and I? You asked me once, you asked me twice The answer was never the same While wayfaring girls with ribboned curls Would ease me of my pain When we were apprentice to Rome and We left our tales untold Our loads were lighter, our burdens were few Our time was growing old If nothing was ventured, and nothing gained Then nothing still remains And many a girl with her perfumed curl Will ease me of my pain