[Intro – distant dock horns, scratchy vinyl crackle, boom-bap kick] Liberty bell rings at the pier Shore patrol’s already here [Verse 1 – gritty harmonica riff, snare roll] Got 48 hours ‘til I’m back on the waves Shore patrol’s breathin’ down my collar, countin’ days Got a name scrawled on a tattered old note Last I heard she’s workin’ down by the boat Dodged the petty officer by the gate Slipped a dollar to the barkeep, kept my pace Got a pocket full of change and a broken watch Ain’t got time for no lecture, ain’t got time to catch [Pre-Chorus – building bassline, sharp hi-hats] Me gotta go, before they lock me down Me gotta go, find the girl I left in town Me gotta go, every second’s runnin’ out Me gotta go, can’t let this chance fall out [Chorus – catchy harmonica hook, layered hand claps] Me gotta go, slip through the alley’s shadowed bend Me gotta go, find her before the ship sets end Me gotta go, shore patrol’s on my trail Me gotta go, bring back the love that never failed [Verse 2 – muted trumpet riff, steady boom-bap] Heard she works the diner by the fish market stall Wears a blue bandana, got a scar on her palm Last time I saw her, I promised I’d return Now I’m runnin’ from the law, my stomach’s churned Ducked behind a crate of oysters, hid my ID Heard a radio call, they’re lookin’ for me Got a cigarette burn on my navy blues Ain’t gonna let them stop me, ain’t gonna lose [Pre-Chorus – intensified bass, faster hi-hats] Me gotta go, before they seal the pier Me gotta go, wipe away the years of fear Me gotta go, every minute’s drawin’ near Me gotta go, make up for the time I lost, my dear [Chorus – harmonica solo tease, louder vocals] Me gotta go, slip through the alley’s shadowed bend Me gotta go, find her before the ship sets end Me gotta go, shore patrol’s on my trail Me gotta go, bring back the love that never failed [Bridge – stripped-back beat, soft harmonica hum] I know I’m breakin’ every rule they made But some promises ain’t meant to fade If they catch me, I’ll do the time But I gotta see her face one more time [Solo – gritty harmonica solo, building boom-bap] (Instrumental Solo) [Chorus – full band, maximum urgency] Me gotta go, slip through the alley’s shadowed bend Me gotta go, find her before the ship sets end Me gotta go, shore patrol’s on my trail Me gotta go, bring back the love that never failed [Outro – fading harmonica, distant ship horn] Found her standin’ by the pier Shore patrol’s yellin’, but I don’t care