Jimmy Webb Paul Gauguin In The South Seas Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Gauguin
Tired of the climate in Paris
So critically bleak
And his wife and companions who thought he was nothing
But an artistic freak
A most unhappy man

[Verse 2]
Gauguin
Slept without fire in the winter
And dreamed about Eve and the Garden of Eden
Until he was sure
There was nothing left to leave
Until nothing was pleasing
Nothing made sense anymore

[Pre-Chorus]
So he took the train down to Marseilles
And went searching for

[Chorus]
Paradise
It's just a little further on
Paradise
You know they never miss you till you're gone
I got no more pearls to throw to swine
I cannot turn this water into wine
This bitter cup you offer me does not suffice
I'm gonna go down and look for paradise
[Verse 3]
Gauguin
Got off the boat in Tahiti
With a cargo of freight
And the thieves and the hookers were out there to greet him
He was a hundred years too late
But he knew he couldn't stay
Somethin' was whisperin' his name

[Pre-Chorus]
So he sailed without looking back
And went searching for

[Chorus]
Paradise
It's just a little further on
Paradise
You know they never miss you till you're gone I've got no more time for fools like you
I've got no more fingers for the turning of the screw
I could use some money but I don't need your advice
I'm gonna keep searching for paradise
'Cause I wanna paint pictures of paradise

[Bridge]
And he went out past Moorea
To the island of the moon
Out beyond Maupiti
Where there was no lagoon
'Til there were no more islands
No further places
'Til at last he found the highlands
Of the desolate Marquesas
[Verse 4]
Gauguin
He finished his days
With his paints and his brushes unconquered and savage
His canvas ablaze
With visions of heaven
He was never at home in the world

[Pre-Chorus]
But I guess we're all that way
We're searching for

[Chorus]
Paradise
It's just a little further on
Paradise
You know they never miss you till you're gone
How much more of this madness can we take?
Why can't they leave a man alone
For heaven's sake?
The reason so few are chosen
Is 'cause few will pay the price
So you gotta keep searchin' for paradise
And you gotta paint pictures of paradise
You gotta lose yourself to find paradise
Paradise...
Paradise...