The Last Cigarette

Found his memoirs in an old junk shop Dated from 1916 Sentenced to death while still shell-shocked For deserting the infantry Blindfold on and one step back No need to get upset Don't be hasty with the trigger boys Let him smoke his one last cigarette Down in the hospital on the 9th ward An old man scratches his head Reaching into his bedside drawer He waits 'til the nurse is downstairs 'I'm nearly cured I've been so brave And there's no need to fret I'm gonna really quit this time Let me smoke my one last cigarette' Straight as a corkscrew As bright as the night Blind to the horror Blind to the very horror of this sorry life The awkward girl with a broken heart Smashes her mirror until it fractures Leaning down she picks up a shard And ponders to question her actions A selfish act, she's full aware But the best one she's done yet With tired eyes and steady hands She'll smoke her one last cigarette Straight as a corkscrew As bright as the night Blind to the horror Blind to the very horror of this sorry life --- The Last Cigarette - Ed Harcourt