We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £0.80 GBP  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

Written by Tom Robinson
Published by BMG Music

lyrics

Stranded in Antwerp in June '54
Streets full of refugees
And rumours of war
In a queue at the station a stranger arrived
You walked up and fixed me with wild hazel eyes

But the hotel was crowded - I followed in fright
You slammed the door behind us, smashed out the light
You said "why try to fight it" - to my racing heart
Then we nuzzled like animals
And kissed in the dark

We wrecked the bed, spent the rent
Left there without a cent
Drank the fare, never made the train
Till 25 I was barely alive
And I wondered what hit me

When you tattooed me... tattooed me
You tattooed me... tattooed me
And I wondered what hit me when you came

Shacked up in basements behind broken doors
Bugs in the blanket, and glass on the floor
Cold, broke and hungry, with quarrels and fights
Coughing blood thru the winter - I felt so alive

And on one fatal day you signed your life away
I was too weak for alarm
(I was) drunk and asleep
As you left for the fleet… you tattooed your name on my arm

Yeah you tattooed me... tattooed me
Ohh-oh
You tattooed me... tattooed me
Your name - with a needle - on my arm
Ohh-oh, oh-ohhhh, ohh-oh, oh-ohhhh

With the peace in Geneva the world crawled away
From the brink of oblivion - we all breathed again
And when you deserted no more letters came
My life cut to pieces, I started again

When I was on the mend I drifted to Zaventem
Worked there unloading the planes
And I paid my way on a thousand a day
And I never did see you again

But you tattooed me... tattooed me
You tattooed me... tattooed me
You tattooed me... tattooed me
The mark of the needle remains
You tattooed me... tattooed me
And I knew that we'd never meet again

credits

from Faith, Folk & Anarchy (Reissue), released June 16, 2017

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Tom Robinson image

Tom Robinson London, UK

Tom Robinson (b.1950) is a UK songwriter & broadcaster first known in the 70s as an anti-racist and LGBT campaigner. He released 19 albums between 1975-2001 with various bands and has co-written songs with Elton John, Peter Gabriel, Dan Hartman and Manu Katché. He's an award-winning presenter at BBC Radio 6 Music, and released Only The Now (his first album in 19 years) in October 2015. ... more

contact / help

Contact Tom Robinson

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Tom Robinson, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Fabiana Palladino stops by to talk about her mesmeric debut LP.
listen now