Mark Knopfler - Pale Imitation

Once I went back and I stayed on the street where I used to live Got up in the morning, put on my boots and I crossed the road Stood in front of our house and went back to my tricycle times At the end of the terrace I looked up the alley and there he was A little blonde boy with a stick in his hands looking straight at me And if he wasn't me then my God he was just like I used to be We stared at each other but he stared me down and I looked away After a moment when I turned again he was gone I don't think I ever became half the man that I used to be The warrior captain, the bold pirate king of the sea Nobody does me like I do or that's what they say to me But I'm a pale imitation, I've been keeping my secrets safe with me