The painter from St Petersburg is making headline news
He paints his masterpieces to the sound of lonesome blues
There's no-one in the whole wide world can ever steal his shoes
Under a cloudless sky

The highwayman is hungry, hanging high in chains
His body may be weakened, but his will to live remains
He sleeps with one eye open watching out for planes
Under a cloudless sky

For forty days and nights I've been lost
How long have you been flying?
But I haven't had the time to count the cost
How long have you been flying?
The runway's cracked and broken
And the weeds are showing through
I've been so high so long
That I have lost sight of the view
There's no-one on the radio
To bring me back to you
Won't somebody try and understand
All I want to do is land

Vittorio Emanuel shows signs of deep mistrust
He carefully avoids Signora Montenegro's bust
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust
Under a cloudless sky

All along the promenade the day has just begun
Gilded Russian cuppolas glistening in the sun
The painter and the highwayman are surely having fun
Under a cloudless sky

The highwayman broke out into a shiver
How long have you been flying?
The painter flung his brushes in the river
How long have you been flying?
High above San Remo
Out of all control
The painter sold his icons
The highwayman his soul
They played in the Casino
On a never ending roll
Won't somebody try and understand
All I want to do is land