[Verse 1]
Joseph Q got a letter marked urgent and sweet
Talkin’ babies and wedding bells down on the beat
He said “Friend, I’m dizzy, I may be undone…”
I said “Son, this calls for a boat, not a shotgun.”
There’s a busted old schooner down Key Largo way
Where men disappear in a respectable way
Trade your necktie in for a parrot tattoo
And let ocean breezes decide things for you.
[Chorus]
Escape to Margaritaville, Joe
Where commitment moves delightfully slow
Salt on your sandals, rum in your tea
No one says “our twins” after week number three
Escape to Margaritaville, Joe.
[Verse 2]
Take a barstool job at the Dockside Moon
Play steel drum badly and sleep till noon
If romance comes rushin’ with legal intent
Smile and say, “Sorry, my visa got bent.”
There ain’t no prenups on a shrimp boat crew
And nobody cares what your old life knew
Just fish all day and philosophize
With drunks who claim they once outran brides.
[Chorus]
Escape to Margaritaville, Joe
Where red flags sink and sea breezes blow
When destiny sounds like paperwork due
The Caribbean’s callin’, and brother—it’s you
Escape to Margaritaville, Joe.
[Verse 3]
Joe bought a skiff with a leak in the side
Said “Best vessel I ever used to hide.”
Now he sails by stars and questionable charts
Avoidin’ all ports with matrimonial arts.
There’s an old beach bum named Captain Lou
Says “Son, every storm ain’t worth sailin’ through.”
Then they toast bad choices as the sunset glows
And laugh when the wedding proposal blows.
[Chorus]
Escape to Margaritaville, Joe
Where wise men drift and coconuts grow
If Cupid arrives with a five-year plan
Hand him a daiquiri and borrow a van
Escape to Margaritaville, Joe.**
[Bridge — spoken]
Now Joe…
If she starts discussin’ matching baby names…
while you’re still in customs…
buy the catamaran.
[Verse 4]
Now Joe wears linen and tends beach lights
Argues with pelicans half the nights
Claims true love might’ve found him once… maybe…
But he ducked when somebody mentioned a baby.
He says, “I lost fear somewhere south of Bimini
Right next to my wallet and basic dignity…”
[Final Chorus]
Escape to Margaritaville, Joe
Let tropical bad decisions flow
Life is too short for romantic alarms
Go fall asleep in a hammock’s arms
Escape to Margaritaville, Joe…**
[Tag]
Searching for my lost fear of matrimony…
ElCeviche
