She was no marine back from the Philippines
She was their pride and job, their incarnation.
Her parents viewed the chief
With shock and disbelief
Looking for some other explanation.

The Indian, her back was poised for an attack.
She said 'a tattoo is a badge of validation'.
But the truth of the matter is far more revealing.
It's a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling.
Chorus
Permanent reminder of a temporary feeling
Amnesic episodes that never go away.
It's no complex momento, it's no subtle revealing.
Just a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling.

Vegas in the rain, drunk on cheap champagne
He hears out of tune synthesized chapel bells
Painfully ringing.
Where's his limo ride? Who's this foreign bride?
Is this really Elvis spinning round the ceiling?
Chorus
Permanent reminder of a temporary feeling,
Forgotten fabrications in the chapels of love.
What is this ring on his finger? Why is he kneeling?
She's just a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling.

Chromosomes and genes, spawn these fateful scenes.
Evolution can be mean, there's no 'dumb ass' vaccine.
Blame your DNA, you're a victim of your fate.
It's human nature to miscalculate.

To make up for the fight they go out for the night.
Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll seems like the easiest answer.
But a short nine months later, there's no way of concealing,
That permanent reminder of a temporary feeling.
Chorus
Permanent reminder of a temporary feeling
Amnesic episodes that never go away.
Complex momentos, not subtle revealings.
Just a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling.