It’s the story of a very unfortunate coloured man Who got arrested down in old Hong Kong He got twenty years privilege taken away from him When he kicked old Buddha’s gong
And now he’s popping the piano just to raise the price Of a ticket to the land of the free Well, he says his home is in Frisco where they send the rice But it’s really in Tennessee
That’s what he says I need someone to love me Need somebody to carry me home to San Francisco And bury my body there I need someone to lend me a fifty-dollar bill And then I’ll leave Hong Kong far behind me For happiness once again
Won’t someone believe I’ve a yen to see that bay again Each time I try to leave Sweet opium won’t let me fly away I need someone to love me Need somebody to carry me home to San Francisco And bury my body there