Future Bible Heroes are another band formed under the wings of Stephin Merr… Read Full Bio ↴Future Bible Heroes are another band formed under the wings of Stephin Merritt, this time with his friend Chris Ewen. Merritt (words and melodies) and Ewen (instruments) formed a bond through their mutual love of chanteuse Yma Sumac, composer John Cage, and the collecting of exotic instruments and Tiki art.

Café Hong Kong
Future Bible Heroes Lyrics

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Dear Joe, I had to use your handkerchief as a tourniquet
It's bloodstained now, and torn
Dearly hope this letter finds you well, baby

When the war is over
When we all come home
I will wait for you, dear
At the cafe Hong Kong

Dear Joe, a grenade got me, so I'm blind
'least I'll think of you always as young-looking
Dearly hope this letter finds you well, baby

When the war is over
(I pray it won't be long)
I will wait for you, dear
At the cafe Hong Kong

Dear Joe, some complications, and I'm dying
Always think of me as young
Here's your handkerchief
Dearly hope this letter finds you well, baby

When the war is over
When we all come home
Wait for me, my lover
At the cafe Hong Kong

For me the war is over
And life was just a song

Wait for me forever
At the cafe Hong Kong

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Café Hong Kong" by Future Bible Heroes describe the devastating effects of war on lovers separated by violence. The song takes the form of a letter from a soldier named Joe's lover, who is dying and desperately trying to reach him. As she writes, she reveals that she had to use Joe's handkerchief as a tourniquet, and tells him that she hopes the letter finds him well. She also reveals that she is blind, thanks to a grenade blast, but that she will always remember Joe as young and handsome.

As the song goes on, the writer's condition worsens, and she updates Joe on her failing health. She hopes that they will be reunited at the café Hong Kong, a place that holds special meaning for the two of them. In the final verse, she asks Joe to wait for her there, promising that she will join him when the war is over. The heartbreaking lyrics and the simple melody combine to create a poignant portrait of a love interrupted by tragedy.

Line by Line Meaning

Dear Joe, I had to use your handkerchief as a tourniquet
I had to use your handkerchief to stop the bleeding.

It's bloodstained now, and torn
Your handkerchief is now ruined because of the blood.

Dearly hope this letter finds you well, baby
I hope this letter finds you safe and sound.

When the war is over
Once the war is finished

When we all come home
When we are all back at home

I will wait for you, dear
I will wait for you at the specified location

At the cafe Hong Kong
At the specified location, which is the Cafe Hong Kong

Dear Joe, a grenade got me, so I'm blind
I am now blind because of a grenade blast.

'least I'll think of you always as young-looking
At least I can remember you as always being young.

I pray it won't be long
I hope the war ends quickly.

Dear Joe, some complications, and I'm dying
I am dying because of some complications.