Back To Marseilles

Written by: 
J. Martyn
26 Apr 2004

The boat with the bay leaves, leaves just on time
Silver and indigo the fisherman's line
The scent from the quarter always in the air
Mint tea and majoun1 - wish I was there

Back in Marseilles - wish I was there
Smooth of the slipper as you move through the souk2
Smooth feel of your feet as you slide through the souk
Slide of your slipper as you move through the souk

I'm going back, oh back to Marseilles
Down by the harbour
Same old danger, same old jive
Hoping for my fishermen to come home alive
Down by the harbour
Life is calling me back
That's why I am watching all the time

Take me back to Marseilles
Take me back to Marseilles

Never disgraceful no speaking in tongues
Nothing deceitful no right and no wrong
The grace of the women that looks so discreet
Gaze averted, so sweet

Back in Marseilles, oh I'm back to Marseilles
Down by the same harbour
Same danger, same jive
Waiting for my fishermen to come home alive

Back to Marseilles
Take me back to Marseilles

Bring 'em back, bring 'em back alive
Bring 'em back, bring 'em back alive
The boat with the bay leaves docks just in time
Silver and indigo still on the line
Feel of the moon shine, change in your life
Nothing like a fine, fine line
Back in Marseilles
Take me back to Marseilles
Take me back, take me

sitenotes:
1 Majoun or Majun is a Moroccan sweetmeat widely consumed in Marseille and a product of the cannabis cuisine:

7 g cleaned marijuana tops
2.5 dl chopped dates
1.25 dl raisins or currants
1.25 dl ground walnuts
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon anise seed
1 teaspoon ginger
1.25 dl honey
1.25 dl water (more if needed)
2 tablespoons melted butter or ghee

Toast the marijuana on a dry skillet over low heat until golden brown. Mix all the ingredients except the butter and cook until the ingredients have softened enough to be blended together.
While hot add the butter and stir for 5 minutes. Seal in a jar and store refrigerated. Majoon may be spread on crackers, used as a pastry filling or eaten by the fingerful.

2 A Souk is an African open air market.

First release: