"Letter From Abroad" lyrics - JOHN CALE

It's a squalid little town with a tenuous beauty
Those 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?
Can you feel it?
Afghanistan, Afghanistan, whatever happened to you?
Let me hear 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 off in the soccer fields
Stretching their necks in the goal
Taking them out in the elephant grass
Feeding them to the hyenas

But don't you hear it?

Everybody's lips are thin
Everybody's eyes are empty
This a letter from abroad
Life is cheaper back home

Can you hear it?
Afghanistan, Afghanistan, whatever happened to you?
Let me hear it
Afghanistan, Afghanistan, whatever happened to you?
Let me hear 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

You learn more from novels living out here
Rainfall is followed by thunder
You hear a man's voice soothing and calm
"I understand, no problem"
"I understand, no problem"
"I understand, no problem"
"I understand, no problem"
"I understand, no problem"