Appointment in Samarra

Johnny saw the guns and the bombs
A police state being formed
The evidence laid before his eyes
The left and right being polarized
He saw the shadow on the land
He would not speak or make a stand
Subtle pressure growing in the street
Living free, but you're living discreet
He wanted refuge, he wanted escape
He was no masked man, no crusading cape
He'd heard of green hills far away
Far away in Samarra
Johnny saw the guns and the bombs
A police state being formed

And he said, and he said
I will ride toward Samarra
And death will not find me there
I will ride toward Samarra
And death will not find me there
I will ride toward Samarra
And death will not find me there

Suzi'd been around for a while
She'd lost here charm, the warmth in her smile
Mistress of a lifetime peer
With glittering eye and the social veneer
He made his fortune and all of his fame
Playing well in a greedy game
They had friends in useful places
Silent partners and famous faces
Pulling the plums out of the mess
With secrecy, high-handedness
Penthouse living fully-equipped
Looking out on the world like a sinking ship
It didn't matter what happened outside
She'd made all her plans, a place to hide

She said, she said
I will ride toward Samarra
And death will not find me there
I will ride toward Samarra
And death will not find me there
I will ride toward Samarra
And death will not find me there

Innocence is no excuse
The devil is out, he's out on the loose
Innocence is no protection
Blind eye turning to the infection
Caught up in a daily scream
Life sometimes is so extreme
You're reading the papers, you're watching the news
They're robbing the bodies, they're stealing the shoes
Aversion will claim you like a knife
Apathy maim you all of your life
You've got to be strong, it's all you have
Believe in life more than the grave
Innocence is no excuse
The devil is out, he's on the loose

You can't say, you can't say
I will ride toward Samarra
And death will not find me there
I will ride toward Samarra
And death will not find me there
I will ride toward Samarra
And death will not find me there