John Cale - Letter From Abroad lyrics

It's a squalid little town
With a tenuous beauty
The cool wet mornings are so appealing
People waking up suddenly in the night
Very disappointed

At the water's edge fishermen smashing their
Boats - taking nothing for granted
In a few hours the heat will hang over
Town as the northeast monsoon
Comes roaring in can you feel it?

Afghanistan Afghanistan whatever happened
To you i don't really care but I
Thought I'd ask in case
It mattered to you - let me hear it

They're cutting their heads of
In the soccer field
Stretching their necks in the goal
Taking them out in the elephant grass
Feeding them to the hyena's
Don't you hear it

Everybody's lips are thin -
Eventually eyes are empty
This a letter from abroad life
Is cheaper back home let me hear it

You learn form novels living out there
Rainfall is followed by thunder
You hear a man's voice soothing and
Calm - 'I understand no problem'