THE SMITHS

Och här kommer lite lyrik från Manchester's bästa band genom tiderna. Ingen speciell ordning.

WILLIAM, IT WAS REALLY NOTHING

The rain falls hard on a humdrum town

This town has dragged you down

Oh, the rain falls hard on a humdrum town

This town has dragged you down

Oh, no, and everybody's got to live their life

And God knows I've got to live mine

God knows I've got to live mine

William, William it was really nothing

It was your life ...

How can you stay with a fat girl who'll say :

"Oh ! Would you like to marry me ?

"And if you like you can buy the ring"

She doesn't care about anything

Would you like to marry me ?

And if you like you can buy the ring

I don't dream about anyone - except myself !

Oh, William, William it was really nothing

William, William

---------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE ?

All men have secrets and here is mine

So let it be known

We have been through hell and high tide

I can surely rely on you ...

And yet you start to recoil

Heavy words are so lightly thrown

But still I'd leap in front of a flying bullet for you

So, what difference does it make ?

It makes none

But now you have gone

And you must be looking very old tonight

The devil will find work for idle hands to do

I stole and I lied, and why ?

Because you asked me to !

But now you make me feel so ashamed

Because I've only got two hands

Well, I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh

So, what difference does it make ?

Oh, what difference does it make ?

Oh, it makes none

But now you have gone

And your prejudice won't keep you warm tonight

Oh, the devil will find work for idle hands to do

I stole, and then I lied

Just because you asked me to

But now you know the truth about me

You won't see me anymore

Well, I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh

But no more apologies

No more apology

Oh, I'm too tired

I'm so very tired

And I'm feeling very sick and ill today

But I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh

Oh, my sacred one ...

Oh ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

THESE THINGS TAKE TIME

My eyes have seen the glory of the sacred wunderkind

You took me behind a dis-used railway line

And said "I know a place where we can go

Where we are not known"

And you gave me something that I won't forget too soon

But I can't believe you'd ever care

And this is why you will never care

These things take time

I know that I'm

The most inept

That ever stepped

I'm spellbound, but a woman divides

And the hills are alive with celibate cries

But you know where you came from, you know where

You're going and you know where you belong

You said I was ill, and you were not wrong

But I can't believe you'd ever care

And this is why you will never care

These things take time

I know that I'm

The most inept

That ever stepped

Oh, the alcoholic afternoons

When we sat in your room

They meant more to me

Than any, than any living thing on earth

They had more worth

Than any living thing on earth

On earth, on earth, oh ...

Vivid and in your prime

You will leave me behind

---------------------------------------------------------------

THIS CHARMING MAN

Punctured bicycle

On a hillside desolate

Will nature make a man of me yet ?

When in this charming car

This charming man

Why pamper life's complexities

When the leather runs smooth

On the passenger seat ?

I would go out tonight

But I haven't got a stitch to wear

This man said "it's gruesome

That someone so handsome should care"

A jumped-up pantry boy

Who never knew his place

He said "return the rings"

He knows so much about these things

I would go out tonight

But I haven't got a stitch to wear

This man said "it's gruesome

That someone so handsome should care"

Oh, la-la, la-la, la-la, this charming man ...

Oh, da-da, da-da, da-da, this charming man ...

A jumped-up pantry boy

Who never knew his place

He said "return the ring"

He knows so much about these things

---------------------------------------------------------------

HOW SOON IS NOW ?

I am the son

And the heir

Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar

I am the son and heir

Of nothing in particular

You shut your mouth

How can you say

I go about things the wrong way ?

I am Human and I need to be loved

Just like everybody else does

I am the son

And the heir

Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar

I am the son and heir

Oh, of nothing in particular

You shut your mouth

How can you say

I go about things the wrong way ?

I am Human and I need to be loved

Just like everybody else does

There's a club, if you'd like to go

You could meet somebody who really loves you

So you go, and you stand on your own

And you leave on your own

And you go home, and you cry

And you want to die

When you say it's gonna happen "now"

Well, when exactly do you mean ?

See I've already waited too long

And all my hope is gone

You shut your mouth

How can you say

I go about things the wrong way ?

I am Human and I need to be loved

Just like everybody else does

---------------------------------------------------------------

HANDSOME DEVIL

All the streets are crammed with things

Eager to be held

I know what hands are for

And I'd like to help myself

You ask me the time

But I sense something more

And I would like to give

What I think you're asking for

You handsome devil

Oh, you handsome devil

Let me get my hands

On your mammary glands

And let me get your head

On the conjugal bed

I say, I say, I say

I crack the whip

And you skip

But you deserve it

You deserve it, deserve it, deserve it

A boy in the bush

Is worth two in the hand

I think I can help you get through your exams

Oh, you handsome devil

Oh, let me get my hands

On your mammary glands

And let me get your head

On the conjugal bed

I say, I say, I say

I crack the whip

And you skip

But you deserve it

You deserve it, deserve it, deserve it

And when we're in your scholarly room

Who will swallow whom ?

When we're in your scholarly room

Who will swallow whom ?

You handsome devil

Oh, let me get my hands

On your mammary glands

And let me get your head

On the conjugal bed

I say, I say, I say

There's more to life than books, you know

But not much more

Oh, there's more to life than books, you know

But not much more, not much more

Oh, you handsome devil

---------------------------------------------------------------

HAND IN GLOVE

Hand in glove

The sun shines out of our behinds

No, it's not like any other love

This one is different - because it's us

Hand in glove

We can go wherever we please

And everything depends upon

How near you stand to me

And if the people stare

Then the people stare

Oh, I really don't know and I really don't care

Kiss My Shades

Hand in glove

The Good People laugh

Yes, we may be hidden by rags

But we've something they'll never have

Hand in glove

The sun shines out of our behinds

Yes, we may be hidden by rags

But we've something they'll never have

And if the people stare

Then the people stare

Oh, I really don't know and I really don't care

Kiss My Shades ... oh ...

So, hand in glove I stake my claim

I'll fight to the last breath

If they dare touch a hair on your head

I'll fight to the last breath

For the Good Life is out there somewhere

So stay on my arm, you little charmer

But I know my luck too well

Yes, I know my luck too well

And I'll probably never see you again

I'll probably never see you again

Oh ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

STILL ILL

I decree today that life

Is simply taking and not giving

England is mine and it owes me a living

Ask me why, and I'll spit in your eye

Oh, ask me why, and I'll spit in your eye

But we cannot cling to the old dreams anymore

No, we cannot cling to those dreams

Does the body rule the mind

Or does the mind rule the body ?

I dunno...

Under the iron bridge we kissed

And although I ended up with sore lips

It just wasn't like the old days anymore

No, it wasn't like those days

Am I still ill ?

Oh ...

Am I still ill ?

Oh ...

Does the body rule the mind

Or does the mind rule the body ?

I dunno...

Ask me why, and I'll die

Oh, ask me why, and I'll die

And if you must, go to work - tomorrow

Well, if I were you I really wouldn't bother

For there are brighter sides to life

And I should know, because I've seen them

But not often ...

Under the iron bridge we kissed

And although I ended up with sore lips

It just wasn't like the old days anymore

No, it wasn't like those days

Am I still ill ?

Oh ...

Oh, am I still ill ?

Oh ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

HEAVEN KNOWS I'M MISERABLE NOW

I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour

But heaven knows I'm miserable now

I was looking for a job, and then I found a job

And heaven knows I'm miserable now

In my life

Why do I give valuable time

To people who don't care if I live or die ?

Two lovers entwined pass me by

And heaven knows I'm miserable now

I was looking for a job, and then I found a job

And heaven knows I'm miserable now

In my life

Oh, why do I give valuable time

To people who don't care if I live or die ?

What she asked of me at the end of the day

Caligula would have blushed

"You've been in the house too long" she said

And I (naturally) fled

In my life

Why do I smile

At people who I'd much rather kick in the eye ?

I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour

But heaven knows I'm miserable now

"You've been in the house too long" she said

And I (naturally) fled

In my life

Why do I give valuable time

To people who don't care if I live or die ?

---------------------------------------------------------------

THIS NIGHT HAS OPENED MY EYES

In a river the colour of lead

Immerse the baby's head

Wrap her up in the News Of The World

Dump her on a doorstep, girl

This night has opened my eyes

And I will never sleep again

You kicked and cried like a bullied child

A grown man of twenty-five

Oh, he said he'd cure your ills

But he didn't and he never will

Oh, save your life

Because you've only got one

The dream has gone

But the baby is real

Oh, you did a good thing

She could have been a poet

Or, she could have been a fool

Oh, you did a bad thing

And I'm not happy

And I'm not sad

A shoeless child on a swing

Reminds you of your own again

She took away your troubles

Oh, but then again

She left pain

So, please save your life

Because you've only got one

The dream has gone

But the baby is real

Oh, you did a good thing

She could have been a poet

Or, she could have been a fool

Oh, you did a bad thing

And I'm not happy

And I'm not sad

Oh ...

And I'm not happy

And I'm not sad

Oh ...

And I'm not happy

And I'm not sad

---------------------------------------------------------------

YOU'VE GOT EVERYTHING NOW

As merry as the days were long

"I am right and you are wrong"

Back at the old grey school

I would win and you would lose

But you've got everything now

You've got everything now

And what a terrible mess I've made of my life

Oh, what a mess I've made of my life

No, I've never had a job

Because I've never wanted one

I've seen you smile

But I've never heard you laugh

So who is rich and who is poor ?

I cannot say ... oh

Oh, you are your mother's only son

And you're a desperate one

Oh ...

But I don't want a lover

I just want to be seen ... oh ... in the back of your car

A friendship sadly lost ?

Well this is true ... and yet, it's false

Oh ...

But did I ever tell you, by the way ?

I never did like your face

Oh ...

But you've got everything now

You've got everything now

And what a terrible mess I've made of my life

Oh, what a mess I've made of my life

No, I've never had a job

Because I'm too shy

I've seen you smile

But I've never really heard you laugh

So who is rich and who is poor ?

I cannot say ... oh

Oh ...

You are your mother's only son

And you're a desperate one

Oh ...

But I don't want a lover

I just want to be tied ... oh ... to the back of your car

To the back of your car

The back of your car

Oh ... the back of your car

---------------------------------------------------------------

ACCEPT YOURSELF

Every day you must say

So, how do I feel about my life ?

Anything is hard to find

When you will not open your eyes

When will you accept yourself ?

I am sick and I am dull

And I am plain

How dearly I'd love to get carried away

Oh, but dreams have a knack of just not coming true

And time is against me now...oh

Oh, who and what to blame ?

Oh, anything is hard to find

When you will not open your eyes

When will you accept yourself, for heaven's sake ?

Anything is hard to find

When you will not open your eyes

Every day you must say

Oh, how do I feel about the past ?

Others conquered love - but I ran

I sat in my room and I drew up a plan

Oh, but plans can fall through (as so often they do)

And time is against me now...

And there's no-one left to blame

Oh, tell me when will you ...

When will you accept your life ?

(The one that you hate)

For anything is hard to find

When you will not open your eyes

Every day you must say

Oh, how do I feel about my shoes ?

They make me awkward and plain

How dearly I would love to kick with the fray ...

But I once had a dream (and it never came true)

And time is against me now...

Time is against me now...

And there's no one but yourself to blame

Oh, anything is hard to find

When you will not open your eyes

Anything is hard to find; for heaven's sake !

Anything is hard to find

When you will not open your eyes

When will you accept yourself ?

When ?

---------------------------------------------------------------

GIRL AFRAID

Girl afraid

Where do his intentions lay ?

Or does he even have any ?

She says :

"He never really looks at me

I give him every opportunity

In the room downstairs

He sat and stared

In the room downstairs

He sat and stared

I'll never make that mistake again !"

I'll never make that mistake again

Boy afraid

Prudence never pays

And everything she wants costs money

"But she doesn't even LIKE me !

And I know because she said so

In the room downstairs

She sat and stared

In the room downstairs

She sat and stared

I'll never make that mistake again !"

---------------------------------------------------------------

BACK TO THE OLD HOUSE

I would rather not go

Back to the old house

I would rather not go

Back to the old house

There's too many

Bad memories

Too many memories

There ...

When you cycled by

Here began all my dreams

The saddest thing I've ever seen

And you never knew

How much I really liked you

Because I never even told you

Oh, and I meant to

Are you still there ?

Or ... have you moved away ?

Or have you moved away ?

Oh ...

I would love to go

Back to the old house

But I never will

I never will ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

REEL AROUND THE FOUNTAIN

It's time the tale were told

Of how you took a child

And you made him old

It's time the tale were told

Of how you took a child

And you made him old

You made him old

Reel around the fountain

Slap me on the patio

I'll take it now

Oh ...

Fifteen minutes with you

Well, I wouldn't say no

Oh, people said that you were virtually dead

And they were so wrong

Fifteen minutes with you

Oh, I wouldn't say no

Oh, people said that you were easily led

And they were half-right

They ... they were half-right, oh

It's time the tale were told

Of how you took a child

And you made him old

It's time that the tale were told

Of how you took a child

And you made him old

You made him old

Reel around the fountain

Slap me on the patio

I'll take it now

Oh ...

Fifteen minutes with you

Oh, I wouldn't say no

Oh, people see no worth in you

Oh, but I do.

Fifteen minutes with you

Oh, I wouldn't say no

Oh, people see no worth in you

I do.

Oh, oh, I do

Oh ...

I dreamt about you last night

And I fell out of bed twice

You can pin and mount me like a butterfly

But "take me to the haven of your bed"

Was something that you never said

Two lumps, please

You're the bee's knees

But so am I

Meet me at the fountain

Shove me on the patio

I'll take it slowly

Oh ...

Fifteen minutes with you

Oh, I wouldn't say no

Oh, people see no worth in you

Oh, but I do.

Fifteen minutes with you

Oh, I wouldn't say no

Oh, people see no worth in you

Oh, I do.

I ... oh, I do

Oh, I do

---------------------------------------------------------------

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, LET ME GET WHAT I WANT

Good times for a change

See, the luck I've had

Can make a good man

Turn bad

So please please please

Let me, let me, let me

Let me get what I want

This time

Haven't had a dream in a long time

See, the life I've had

Can make a good man bad

So for once in my life

Let me get what I want

Lord knows, it would be the first time

------------------------------------------------------------------------

IS IT REALLY SO STRANGE ?

I left the North

I travelled South

I found a tiny house

And I can't help the way I feel

Oh yes, you can kick me

And you can punch me

And you can break my face

But you won't change the way I feel

'Cause I love you

Oh ...

And is it really so strange ?

Oh, is it really so strange ?

Oh, is it really so, really so strange ?

I say NO, you say YES

(and you will change your mind)

I left the South

I travelled North

I got confused - I killed a horse

I can't help the way I feel

Oh yes, you can punch me

And you can butt me

And you can break my spine

But you won't change the way I feel

'Cause I love you

Oh ...

And is it really so strange ?

Oh, is it really so strange ?

Oh, is it really so, really so strange ?

I say NO, you say YES

(But you will change your mind)

I left the North again

I travelled South again

And I got confused - I killed a nun

I CAN'T HELP THE WAY I FEEL

(I lost my bag in Newport Pagnell)

Why is the last mile the hardest mile ?

My throat was dry, with the sun in my eyes

And I realised, I realised

I could never

I could never, never, never, go back home again

---------------------------------------------------------------

SHEILA TAKE A BOW

Is it wrong to want to live on your own ?

No, it's not wrong - but I must know

How can someone so young

Sing words so sad ?

Sheila take a, Sheila take a bow

Boot the grime of this world in the crotch, dear

And don't go home tonight

Come out and find the one that you love and who loves you

The one that you love and who loves you

Oh ...

Is it wrong not to always be glad ?

No, it's not wrong - but I must add

How can someone so young

Sing words so sad ?

Sheila take a, Sheila take a bow

Boot the grime of this world in the crotch, dear

And don't go home tonight

Come out and find the one that you love and who loves you

The one that you love and who loves you

Take my hand and off we stride

Oh, la ...

You're a girl and I'm a boy

La ...

Take my hand and off we stride

Oh, la ...

I'm a girl and you're a boy

La ...

Sheila take a, Sheila take a bow

La ...

Throw your homework onto the fire

Come out and find the one that you love

Come out and find the one you love

---------------------------------------------------------------

SHOPLIFTERS OF THE WORLD UNITE

Learn to love me

Assemble the ways

Now, today, tomorrow and always

My only weakness is a list of crime

My only weakness is ... well, never mind, never mind

Oh, shoplifters of the world

Unite and take over

Shoplifters of the world

Hand it over

Learn to love me

And assemble the ways

Now, today, tomorrow, and always

My only weakness is a listed crime

But last night the plans of a future war

Was all I saw on Channel Four

Shoplifters of the world

Unite and take over

Shoplifters of the world

Hand it over

A heartless hand on my shoulder

A push - and it's over

Alabaster crashes down

(Six months is a long time)

Tried living in the real world

Instead of a shell

But before I began ...

I was bored before I even began

Shoplifters of the world

Unite and take over

Shoplifters of the world

Unite and take over

Shoplifters of the world

Unite and take over

Shoplifters of the world

Take over

---------------------------------------------------------------

SWEET AND TENDER HOOLIGAN

He was a sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan

And he said that he'd never, never do it again

And of course he won't (oh, not until the next time)

He was a sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan

And he swore that he'll never, never do it again

And of course he won't (oh, not until the next time)

Poor old man

He had an "accident" with a three-bar fire

But that's OK

Because he wasn't very happy anyway

Poor woman

Strangled in her very own bed as she read

But that's OK

Because she was old and she would have died anyway

DON'T BLAME

The sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan

Because he'll never, never, never, never, never, never do it again

(not until the next time)

Jury, you've heard every word

So before you decide

Would you look into those "Mother-me" eyes

I love you for you, my love, you my love

You my love, you my love

Jury, you've heard every word

But before you decide

Would you look into those "Mother-me" eyes

I love you for you my love, you my love

I love you just for you, my love

Don't blame

The sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan

Because he'll never, never do it again

And ...

"In the midst of life we are in death ETC."

Forget the hooligan, hooligan

Because he'll never, never do it again

And ...

"In the midst of life we are in debt ETC."

ETC! ETC! ETC! ETC!

IN THE MIDST OF LIFE WE ARE IN DEATH ETC!

ETC! ETC! ETC! ETC!

IN THE MIDST OF LIFE WE ARE IN DEBT ETC!

ETC! ETC! ETC! ETC! ETC! ETC!

ETC! ETC! ETC! ETC!

IN THE MIDST OF LIFE WE ARE IN DEBT ETC!

---------------------------------------------------------------

HALF A PERSON

Call me morbid, call me pale

I've spent six years on your trail

Six long years

On your trail

Call me morbid, call me pale

I've spent six years on your trail

Six full years of my life on your trail

And if you have five seconds to spare

Then I'll tell you the story of my life :

Sixteen, clumsy and shy

I went to London and I

I booked myself in at the Y ... W.C.A.

I said : "I like it here - can I stay ?

I like it here - can I stay ?

Do you have a vacancy

For a Back-scrubber?"

She was left behind, and sour

And she wrote to me, equally dour

She said : "In the days when you were

Hopelessly poor

I just liked you more..."

And if you have five seconds to spare

Then I'll tell you the story of my life :

Sixteen, clumsy and shy

I went to London and I

I booked myself in at the Y ... W.C.A.

I said : "I like it here - can I stay ?

I like it here - can I stay ?

And do you have a vacancy

For a Back-scrubber ?"

Call me morbid, call me pale

I've spent too long on your trail

Far too long

Chasing your tail

Oh ...

And if you have five seconds to spare

Then I'll tell you the story of my life :

Sixteen, clumsy and shy

That's the story of my life

Sixteen, clumsy and shy

The story of my life

That's the story of my life

The story of my life

That's the story of my life

That's the story ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

LONDON

Smoke

Lingers 'round your fingers

Train

Heave on - to Euston

Do you think you've made

The right decision this time ?

Oh ...

You left

Your tired family grieving

And you think they're sad because you're leaving

But did you see Jealousy in the eyes

Of the ones who had to stay behind ?

And do you think you've made

The right decision this time ?

You left

Your girlfriend on the platform

With this really ragged notion that you'll return

But she knows

That when he goes

He really goes

And do you think you've made

The right decision this time ?

---------------------------------------------------------------

PANIC

Panic on the streets of London

Panic on the streets of Birmingham

I wonder to myself

Could life ever be sane again ?

The Leeds side-streets that you slip down

I wonder to myself

Hopes may rise on the Grasmere

But Honey Pie, you're not safe here

So you run down

To the safety of the town

But there's Panic on the streets of Carlisle

Dublin, Dundee, Humberside

I wonder to myself

Burn down the disco

Hang the blessed DJ

Because the music that they constantly play

IT SAYS NOTHING TO ME ABOUT MY LIFE

Hang the blessed DJ

Because the music they constantly play

On the Leeds side-streets that you slip down

Provincial towns you jog 'round

Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ

HANG THE DJ, HANG THE DJ, HANG THE DJ

HANG THE DJ, HANG THE DJ

Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ

HANG THE DJ, HANG THE DJ

Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ

HANG THE DJ, HANG THE DJ

Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ, Hang the DJ

HANG THE DJ

---------------------------------------------------------------

SHAKESPEARE'S SISTER

Young bones groan

And the rocks below say :

"Throw your skinny body down, son !"

But I'm going to meet the one I love

So please don't stand in my way

Because I'm going to meet the one I love

No, Mamma, let me go !

Young bones groan

And the rocks below say :

"Throw your white body down !"

But I'm going to meet the one I love

At last ! At last ! At last !

I'm going to meet the one I love

La-de-da, la-de-da

No, Mamma, let me go !

No ...

I thought that if you had

An acoustic guitar

Then it meant that you were

A Protest Singer

Oh, I can smile about it now

But at the time it was terrible

No, Mamma, let me go

No ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

YOU JUST HAVEN'T EARNED IT YET, BABY

If you're wondering why

All the love that you long for eludes you

And people are rude and cruel to you

I'll tell you why

You just haven't earned it yet, baby

You just haven't earned it, son

You just haven't earned it yet, baby

You must suffer and cry for a longer time

You just haven't earned it yet, baby

And I'm telling you now ...

If you're wondering why

When all I wanted from life was to be Famous

I have tried for so long, it's all gone wrong

I'll tell you why

But you wouldn't believe me

You just haven't earned it yet, baby

You just haven't earned it, son

You just haven't earned it yet, baby

You must suffer and cry for a longer time

You just haven't earned it yet, Baby

And I'm telling you now ...

I'll tell you why

Today I am remembering the time

When they pulled me back

And held me down

And looked me in the eyes and said

You just haven't earned it yet, baby

You just haven't earned it, my son

You just haven't earned it yet, baby

You must stay on your own for slightly longer

You just haven't earned it yet baby

And I'm telling you now ...

You just haven't earned it yet, baby

Oh ...

You just haven't earned it yet, baby

Oh ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

ASK

Shyness is nice, and

Shyness can stop you

From doing all the things in life

You'd like to

Shyness is nice, and

Shyness can stop you

From doing all the things in life

You'd like to

So, if there's something you'd like to try

If there's something you'd like to try

ASK ME - I WON'T SAY "NO" - HOW COULD I ?

Coyness is nice, and

Coyness can stop you

From saying all the things in

Life you'd like to

So, if there's something you'd like to try

If there's something you'd like to try

ASK ME - I WON'T SAY "NO" - HOW COULD I ?

Spending warm Summer days indoors

Writing frightening verse

To a buck-toothed girl in Luxembourg

ASK ME, ASK ME, ASK ME

Because if it's not Love

Then it's the Bomb, the Bomb, the Bomb, the Bomb, the Bomb, the Bomb, the

Bomb

That will bring us together

Nature is a language - can't you read ?

SO ... ASK ME, ASK ME, ASK ME

ASK ME, ASK ME, ASK ME

Because if it's not Love

Then it's the Bomb, the Bomb, the Bomb, the Bomb, the Bomb, the Bomb, the

Bomb

That will bring us together

If it's not Love

Then it's the Bomb

That will bring us together

SO ... ASK ME, ASK ME, ASK ME

ASK ME, ASK ME, ASK ME

Oh, la ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

GOLDEN LIGHTS

Golden lights displaying your name

Golden lights it's a terrible shame

But oh my darling

WHY DID YOU CHANGE ?

Boy in a million, idol, a big star

I didn't tell you how great you were

I didn't grovel and scream

And rip your brand new jacket at the seams

You made a record, they liked your singing

All of a sudden the phone stops ringing

Ah ... I never thought that you would let

The glory make you forget

Golden lights displaying your name

Golden lights it's a terrible shame

But oh my darling

WHY DID YOU CHANGE ?

Top ten idol, king of your age

Who do you turn to when you're backstage ?

Don't you remember you once knew a girl

You loved her more than the world

Is life always like this, brother ?

Good for one side but bad for another

I must put you behind me tonight

'Cause you belong to the lights

Those golden lights displaying your name

Golden lights it's a terrible shame

But oh my darling

WHY DID YOU CHANGE ?

Oh, oh my darling

WHY ?

WHY DID YOU CHANGE ?

Oh ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

OSCILLATE WILDLY

Instrumental

---------------------------------------------------------------

THESE THINGS TAKE TIME

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the sacred wunderkind

You took me behind a dis-used railway line

And said "I know a place where we can go

Where we are not known"

And then you gave me something that I won't forget too soon

But I can't believe that you'd ever care

And this is why you will never care

But these things take time

I know that I'm

The most inept

That ever stepped

I'm spellbound, oh ... but a woman divides

And the hills are alive with celibate cries

But you know where you came from, you know where

You're going and you know where you belong

You said I was ill, and you were not wrong

But I can't believe that you'd ever care

And so, you will never care

But these things take time

And I know that I'm

The most inept

That ever stepped

Oh, the alcoholic afternoons

When we sat in your rooms

They meant more to me

Than any, than any living thing on earth

They had more worth

Than any living thing on earth

On earth, on earth, oh ...

Vivid and in your prime

You will leave me behind

---------------------------------------------------------------

RUBBER RING

A sad fact widely known

The most impassionate song

To a lonely soul

Is so easily outgrown

But don't forget the songs

That made you smile

And the songs that made you cry

When you lay in awe

On the bedroom floor

And said : "Oh, oh, smother me Mother..."

No ...

Rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring

La ...

The passing of time

And all of its crimes

Is making me sad again

The passing of time

And all of its sickening crimes

Is making me sad again

But don't forget the songs

That made you cry

And the songs that saved your life

Yes, you're older now

And you're a clever swine

But they were the only ones who ever stood by you

The passing of time leaves empty lives

Waiting to be filled (the passing ...)

The passing of time

Leaves empty lives

Waiting to be filled

I'm here with the cause

I'm holding the torch

In the corner of your room

Can you hear me ?

And when you're dancing and laughing

And finally living

Hear my voice in your head

And think of me kindly

No ...

Rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring

La ...

No ...

Rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring

Do you

Love me like you used to ?

Oh ...

Rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring, rubber ring

La ...

You're clever

Everybody's clever nowadays

You're clever

Everybody's clever nowadays

You are sleeping

You do not want to believe

You are sleeping

You do not want to believe

You are sleeping

You do not want to believe

You are sleeping

---------------------------------------------------------------

STRETCH OUT AND WAIT

On the high-rise estate

What's at the back of your mind ?

Oh, a three-day debate

On a high-rise estate

What's at the back of your mind ?

Two icy-cold hands conducting the way

It's the Eskimo blood in my veins

Amid concrete and clay

And general decay

Nature must still find a way

So ignore all the codes of the day

Let your juvenile influences sway

This way and that way (this way)

God, how sex implores you

To let yourself lose yourself

Stretch out and wait

Oh ... let your puny body, lie down, lie down

As we lie, you say

Stretch out and ...

Stretch out and wait

Oh ... let your puny body lie down, lie down

As we lie, you say :

Will the world end in the night time ?

(I really don't know)

Or will the world end in the day time ?

(I really don't know)

And is there any point ever having children ?

Oh, I don't know

What I do know is we're Here and it's Now

So ... stretch out and wait

Stretch out and wait

There is no debate, no debate, no debate

How can you conciously contemplate

When there's no debate, no debate ?

Stretch out and wait

Wait

---------------------------------------------------------------

UNLOVEABLE

Oh ...

I know I'm unloveable

You don't have to tell me

I don't have much in my life

But take it - it's yours

I don't have much in my life

But take it - it's yours

Oh ...

I know I'm unloveable

You don't have to tell me

Oh, message received

Loud and clear

I don't have much in my life

But take it - it's yours

I know I'm unloveable

You don't have to tell me

For message received

Loud and clear

Message received

I don't have much in my life

But take it - it's yours

I wear Black on the outside

'Cause Black is how I feel on the inside

I wear Black on the outside

'Cause Black is how I feel on the inside

And if I seem a little strange

Well, that's because I am

If I seem a little strange

That's because I am

But I know that you would like me

If only you could see me

If only you could meet me

Oh ...

I don't have much in my life

But take it - it's yours

I don't have much in my life

But take it - it's yours

Mmm ...

Oh ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

ASLEEP

Sing me to sleep

I'm tired and I

I want to go to bed

Sing me to sleep

And then leave me alone

Don't try to wake me in the morning

'Cause I will be gone

Don't feel bad for me

I want you to know

Deep in the cell of my heart

I will feel so glad to go

Sing me to sleep

I don't want to wake up

On my own anymore

Sing to me

I don't want to wake up

On my own anymore

Don't feel bad for me

I want you to know

Deep in the cell of my heart

I really want to go

There is another world

There is a better world

Well, there must be

Well ...

Bye bye

Bye ...

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE HEADMASTER RITUAL

Belligerent ghouls

Run Manchester schools

Spineless swines

Cemented minds

Sir leads the troops

Jealous of youth

Same old suit since 1962

He does the military two-step

Down the nape of my neck

I wanna go home

I don't wanna stay

Give up education

As a bad mistake

Mid-week on the playing fields

Sir thwacks you on the knees

Knees you in the groin

Elbow in the face

Bruises bigger than dinner plates

I wanna go home

I don't wanna stay

Da-da-da ...

Belligerent ghouls

Run Manchester schools

Spineless bastards all ...

Sir leads the troops

Jealous of youth

Same old jokes since 1902

He does the military two-step

Down the nape of my neck

I wanna go home

I don't want to stay

Give up life

As a bad mistake

Please excuse me from gym

I've got this terrible cold coming on

He grabs and devours

He kicks me in the showers

Kicks me in the showers

And he grabs and devours

I want to go home

I don't want to stay...

Da-da-da ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

RUSHOLME RUFFIANS

The last night of the fair

By the big wheel generator

A boy is stabbed

And his money is grabbed

And the air hangs heavy like a dulling wine

She is Famous

She is Funny

An engagement ring

Doesn't mean a thing

To a mind consumed by brass (money)

And though I walk home alone

I might walk home alone ...

...But my faith in love is still devout

The last night of the fair

From a seat on a whirling waltzer

Her skirt ascends for a watching eye

It's a hideous trait (on her mother's side)

From a seat on a whirling waltzer

Her skirt ascends for a watching eye

It's a hideous trait (on her mother's side)

And though I walk home alone

I might walk home alone ...

...But my faith in love is still devout

Then someone falls in love

And someone's beaten up

Someone's beaten up

And the senses being dulled are mine

And someone falls in love

And someone's beaten up

And the senses being dulled are mine

And though I walk home alone

I might walk home alone ...

...But my faith in love is still devout

This is the last night of the fair

And the grease in the hair

Of a speedway operator

Is all a tremulous heart requires

A schoolgirl is denied

She said : "How quickly would I die

If I jumped from the top of the parachutes ?"

La ...

This is the last night of the fair

And the grease in the hair

Of a speedway operator

Is all a tremulous heart requires

A schoolgirl is denied

She said : "How quickly would I die

If I jumped from the top of the parachutes ?"

La ...

So ... scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen

(This means you really love me)

Scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen

(This means you really love me)

Oh ...

And though I walk home alone

I just might walk home alone

But my faith in love is still devout

I might walk home alone

But my faith in love is still devout

I might walk home alone

But my faith in love is still devout

La ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

I WANT THE ONE I CAN'T HAVE

On the day that your mentality

Decides to try to catch up with your biology

Come round ...

'Cause I want the one I can't have

And it's driving me mad

It's all over, all over, all over my face

On the day that your mentality

Catches up with your biology

I want the one I can't have

And it's driving me mad

It's all over, all over, all over my face

A double bed

And a stalwart lover for sure

These are the riches of the poor

A double bed

And a stalwart lover for sure

These are the riches of the poor

And I want the one I can't have

And it's driving me mad

It's all over, all over my face

A tough kid who sometimes swallows nails

Raised on Prisoner's Aid

He killed a policeman when he was

Thirteen

And somehow that really impressed

And it's written all over my face

Oh, these are the riches of the poor

These are the riches of the poor

I want the one I can't have

And it's driving me mad

It's written all over my face

On the day that your mentality

Catches up with your biology

And if you ever need self-validation

Just meet me in the alley by the

Railway station

It's all over my face

Oh ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT SHE SAID

What she said :

"How come someone hasn't noticed

That I'm dead

And decided to bury me ?

God knows, I'm ready !"

La-la-la ...

What she said was sad

But then, all the rejection she's had

To pretend to be happy

Could only be idiocy

La-la-la ...

What she said was not for the job or

Lover that she never had

Oh ...

No no no ...

What she read

All heady books

She'd sit and prophesise

(It took a tattooed boy from

Birkenhead

To really really open her eyes)

What she read

All heady books

She'd sit and prophesise

(It took a tattooed boy from

Birkenhead

To really really open her eyes)

What she said :

"I smoke 'cos I'm hoping for an

Early death

AND I NEED TO CLING TO SOMETHING !"

What she said :

"I smoke 'cos I'm hoping for an

Early death

AND I NEED TO CLING TO SOMETHING !"

No no no no ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

THAT JOKE ISN'T FUNNY ANYMORE

Park the car at the side of the road

You should know

Time's tide will smother you

And I will too

When you laugh about people who feel so

Very lonely

Their only desire is to die

Well, I'm afraid

It doesn't make me smile

I wish I could laugh

But that joke isn't funny anymore

It's too close to home

And it's too near the bone

It's too close to home

And it's too near the bone

More than you'll ever know ...

Kick them when they fall down

You kick them when they fall down

Kick them when they fall down

You kick them when they fall down

Kick them when they fall down

You kick them when they fall down

Kick them when they fall down

It was dark as I drove the point home

And on cold leather seats

Well, it suddenly struck me

I just might die with a smile on my

Face after all

I've seen this happen in other people's

Lives

And now it's happening in mine

I've seen this happen in other people's

Lives

And now it's happening in mine

I've seen this happen in other people's

Lives

And now it's happening in mine

I've seen this happen in other people's

Lives

And now it's happening in mine

Oh ...

I've seen this happen in other people's

Lives

Oh ...

And now it's happening in mine

Happening in mine

I've seen this happen in other people's

Lives

Oh ...

And now, now, now it's happening in mine

(I've seen this happen)

Happening in mine

Oh... now, now

I've seen this happen in other people's

Lives

Oh ...

And now it's happening in mine

(Happen)

Happening in mine

Oh ...

Happening in mine

I've seen this happen in other people's

Lives

Oh ...

And now, now, now it's happening in mine

Happening in mine

Mine, mine

Happening in mine

---------------------------------------------------------------

NOWHERE FAST

I'd like to drop my trousers to the world

I am a man of means (of slender means)

Each household appliance

Is like a new science in my town

And if the day came when I felt a

Natural emotion

I'd get such a shock I'd probably jump

In the ocean

And when a train goes by

It's such a sad sound

No ...

It's such a sad thing

I'd like to drop my trousers to the Queen

Every sensible child will know what this means

The poor and the needy

Are selfish and greedy on her terms

And if the day came when I felt a

Natural emotion

I'd get such a shock I'd probably jump

In the ocean

And when a train goes by

It's such a sad sound

No ...

It's such a sad thing

And when I'm lying in my bed

I think about life

And I think about death

And neither one particularly appeals to me

And if the day came when I felt a

Natural emotion

I'd get such a shock I'd probably lie

In the middle of the street and die

I'd lie down and die ...

Oh, oh

---------------------------------------------------------------

WELL I WONDER

Well I wonder

Do you hear me when you sleep ?

I hoarsely cry

Oh ...

Well I wonder

Do you see me when we pass ?

I half die ...

Oh ...

Please keep me in mind

Gasping - but somehow still alive

This is the fierce last stand of all I am

Gasping - dying - but somehow still alive

This is the final stand of all I am

Please keep me in mind

Well I wonder

Please keep me in mind

Keep me in mind

---------------------------------------------------------------

BARBARISM BEGINS AT HOME

Unruly boys

Who will not grow up

Must be taken in hand

Unruly girls

Who will not settle down

They must be taken in hand

A crack on the head

Is what you get for not asking

And a crack on the head

Is what you get for asking

Unruly boys

Who will not grow up

Must be taken in hand

Unruly girls

Who will not settle down

They must be taken in hand

A crack on the head

Is what you get for not asking

And a crack on the head

Is what you get for asking

No ... a crack on the head

Is what you get for not asking

And a crack on the head

Is what you get for asking

A crack on the head

Is just what you get

WHY ? Because of who you are !

And a crack on the head

Is just what you get

WHY ? Because of what you are !

A crack on the head

Because of :

Those things you said

Things you said

The things you did

Unruly boys

Who will not grow

Must be taken in hand

Unruly girls

Who will not grow

They must be taken in hand

Ah ... oh, no ... oh, no

No ... no, no, no

No ... no, no

---------------------------------------------------------------

MEAT IS MURDER

Heifer whines could be human cries

Closer comes the screaming knife

This beautiful creature must die

A death for no reason

And death for no reason is MURDER

And the flesh you so fancifully fry

Is not succulent, tasty or kind

It's death for no reason

And death for no reason is MURDER

And the calf that you carve with a smile

Is MURDER

And the turkey you festively slice

Is MURDER

Do you know how animals die ?

Kitchen aromas aren't very homely

It's not "comforting", cheery or kind

It's sizzling blood and the unholy stench

Of MURDER

It's not "natural", "normal" or kind

The flesh you so fancifully fry

The meat in your mouth

As you savour the flavour

Of MURDER

NO, NO, NO, IT'S MURDER

Oh ... and who hears when animals cry ?

------------------------------------------------------------------------

A RUSH AND A PUSH AND THE LAND IS OURS

OH HELLO

I am the ghost of Troubled Joe

Hung by his pretty white neck

Some eighteen months ago

I travelled to a mystical time zone

And I missed my bed

And I soon came home

They said :

"There's too much caffeine

In your bloodstream

And a lack of real spice

In your life"

I said :

"Leave me alone

Because I'm alright, dad

Surprised to still

Be on my own..."

Oh, but don't mention love

I'd hate the strain of the pain again

A rush and a push and the land that

We stand on is ours

It has been before

So it shall be again

And people who are uglier than you and I

They take what they need, and just leave

Oh, but don't mention love

I'd hate the pain of the strain all over again

A rush and a push and the land that

We stand on is ours

It has been before

So why can't it be now ?

And people who are weaker than you or I

They take what they want from life

Oh, but don't mention love

No - no, don't mention love !

A rush and a push and the land that

We stand on is ours

Your youth may be gone

But you're still a young man

So phone me, phone me, phone me

Oh, I think I'm in love

Oh, I think I'm in love (think I'm in love)

Urrgh, I think I'm in lerv

Oh ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

I STARTED SOMETHING I COULDN'T FINISH

The lanes were silent

There was nothing, no one, nothing around for miles

I doused our friendly venture

With a hard-faced

Three-word gesture

I started something

I forced you to a zone

And you were clearly

Never meant to go

Hair brushed and parted

Typical me, typical me

Typical me

I started something

...And now I'm not too sure

I grabbed you by the guilded beams

Uh, that's what tradition means

And I doused another venture

With a gesture

That was ... absolutely vile

I started something

I forced you to a zone

And you were clearly

Never meant to go

Hair brushed and parted

Typical me, typical me

Typical me

I started something

...And now I'm not too sure

I grabbed you by the guilded beams

Uh, that's what tradition means

And now eighteen months' hard labour

Seems ... fair enough

I started something

And I forced you to a zone

And you were clearly

Never meant to go

Hair brushed and parted

Typical me, typical me

Typical me

I started something

And now I'm not too sure

I started something

Typical me, typical me

Typical me

I started something

And now I'm not too sure

---------------------------------------------------------------

DEATH OF A DISCO DANCER

The death of a disco dancer

Well, it happens a lot 'round here

And if you think Peace

Is a common goal

That goes to show

How little you know

The death of a disco dancer

Well, I'd rather not get involved

I never talk to my neighbour

I'd rather not get involved

Oh ...

Love, peace and harmony ?

Oh, very nice

Very nice

...But maybe in the next world

Love, peace and harmony ?

Oh, very nice

Very nice

...But maybe in the next world

Maybe in the next world

Oh, love, peace and harmony ?

Love, peace and harmony ?

Oh, very nice

Very nice

...Oh, but maybe in the next world

Maybe in the next world

(In the next world, in the next world, in the next world)

The next world, the next world

Oh ...

The death of a disco dancer

---------------------------------------------------------------

GIRLFRIEND IN A COMA

Girlfriend in a coma, I know

I know - it's serious

Girlfriend in a coma, I know

I know - it's really serious

There were times when I could

Have "murdered" her

(But you know, I would hate

Anything to happen to her)

NO, I DON'T WANT TO SEE HER

Do you really think

She'll pull through ?

Do you really think

She'll pull through ?

Do ...

Girlfriend in a coma, I know

I know - it's serious

My, my, my, my, my, my baby, goodbye

There were times when I could

Have "strangled" her

(But you know, I would hate

Anything to happen to her)

WOULD YOU PLEASE

LET ME SEE HER !

Do you really think

She'll pull through ?

Do you really think

She'll pull through ?

Do ...

Let me whisper my last goodbyes

I know - IT'S SERIOUS

---------------------------------------------------------------

STOP ME IF YOU THINK YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE

Stop me, oh, stop me

Stop me if you think that you've

Heard this one before

Stop me, oh, stop me

Stop me if you think that you've heard this one before

Nothing's changed

I still love you, oh, I still love you

...Only slightly, only slightly less than I used to, my love

I was delayed, I was way-laid

An emergency stop

I smelt the last ten seconds of life

I crashed down on the crossbar

And the pain was enough to make

A shy, bald, buddhist reflect

And plan a mass murder

Who said lied I'd to her ?

Oh, who said I'd lied because I never ? I never !

Who said I'd lied because I never ?

I was detained, I was restrained

And broke my spleen

And broke my knee

(and then he really laced into me)

Friday night in Out-patients

Who said I'd lied to her ?

Oh, who said I'd lied ? - because I never, I never

Who said I'd lied ? - because I never

Oh, so I drank one

It became four

And when I fell on the floor ...

...I drank more

Stop me, oh, stop me

Stop me if you think that you've

Heard this one before

Stop me, oh, stop me

Stop me if you think that you've heard this one before

Nothing's changed

I still love you, oh, I still love you

...Only slightly, only slightly less than I used to, my love

---------------------------------------------------------------

LAST NIGHT I DREAMT THAT SOMEBODY LOVED ME

Last night I dreamt

That somebody loved me

No hope, no harm

Just another false alarm

Last night I felt

Real arms around me

No hope, no harm

Just another false alarm

So, tell me how long

Before the last one ?

And tell me how long

Before the right one ?

The story is old - I KNOW

But it goes on

The story is old - I KNOW

But it goes on

Oh, GOES ON

And on

Oh, goes on

And on

---------------------------------------------------------------

UNHAPPY BIRTHDAY

I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday

'Cause you're evil

And you lie

And if you should die

I may feel slightly sad

(But I won't cry)

Loved and lost

And some may say

When usually it's Nothing

Surely you're happy

It should be this way ?

I say "No, I'm gonna kill my dog"

And : "May the lines sag, may the lines sag heavy and deep tonight"

I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday

'Cause you're evil

And you lie

And if you should die

I may feel slightly sad

(But I won't cry)

Loved and lost

And some may say

When usually it's Nothing

Surely you're happy

It should be this way ?

I said "No"

And then I shot myself

So, drink, drink, drink

And be ill tonight

From the one you left behind

Behind

Oh, unhappy birthday

Behind

---------------------------------------------------------------

PAINT A VULGAR PICTURE

At the record company meeting

On their hands - a dead star

And oh, the plans they weave

And oh, the sickening greed

At the record company party

On their hands - a dead star

The sycophantic slags all say :

"I knew him first, and I knew him well"

Re-issue ! Re-package ! Re-package !

Re-evaluate the songs

Double-pack with a photograph

Extra Track (and a tacky badge)

A-list, playlist

"Please them , please them !"

"Please them !"

(sadly, THIS was your life)

But you could have said no

If you'd wanted to

You could have said no

If you'd wanted to

BPI, MTV, BBC

"Please them ! Please them !"

(sadly this was your life)

But you could have said no

If you'd wanted to

You could have walked away

...Couldn't you ?

I touched you at the soundcheck

You had no real way of knowing

In my heart I begged "Take me with you ...

I don't care where you're going..."

But to you I was faceless

I was fawning, I was boring

Just a child from those ugly new houses

Who could never begin to know

Who could never really know

Oh ...

Best of ! Most of !

Satiate the need

Slip them into different sleeves !

Buy both, and feel deceived

Climber - new entry, re-entry

World tour ! ("media whore")

"Please the Press in Belgium !"

(THIS was your life...)

And when it fails to recoup ?

Well, maybe :

You just haven't earned it yet, baby

I walked a pace behind you at the soundcheck

You're just the same as I am

What makes most people feel happy

Leads us headlong into harm

So, in my bedroom in those 'ugly new houses'

I danced my legs down to the knees

But me and my 'true love'

Will never meet again ...

At the record company meeting

On their hands - at last ! - a dead star !

But they can never taint you in my eyes

No, they can never touch you now

No, they cannot hurt you, my darling

They cannot touch you now

But me and my 'true love'

Will never meet again

---------------------------------------------------------------

DEATH AT ONE'S ELBOW

Oh Glenn

Don't come to the house tonight

Oh Glenn

Don't come to the house tonight

Oh Glenn

Because there's somebody here

Who really really loves you

Oh Glenn

Stay home

Be bored

(It's crap, I KNOW)

Tonight

Oh Glenn

Don't come to the house tonight

Oh Glenn

Don't come to the house tonight

Because there's somebody here

Who'll take a hatchet to your ear

The frustration it renders me

Hateful, oh ...

Oh, don't come to the house tonight

Because you'll slip on the

Trail of all my sad remains

That's why, that's why

GOODBYE MY LOVE, GOODBYE MY LOVE

---------------------------------------------------------------

I WON'T SHARE YOU

I won't share you, no

I won't share you

With the drive

And ambition

The zeal I feel

This is my time

The note I wrote

As she read, she said

"Has the Perrier gone

Straight to my head

Or is life sick and cruel, instead ?"

"YES !"

No - no - no - no - no - no

Oh ...

I won't share you, no

I won't share you

With the drive

And the dreams inside

This is my time

Life tends to come and go

That's OK

As long as you know

Life tends to come and go

As long as you know

Know, know, know, know, know

Know, know, know, know

Oh ...

I won't share you, no

I won't share you

With the drive

And the dreams inside

This is my time

I want the freedom and I want the guile

I want the freedom and the guile

Oh, life tends to come and go

As long as you know

Know, know, know, know

Oh ...

I won't share you, no

I won't share you

I'll see you somewhere

I'll see you sometime

And I'm ...

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE QUEEN IS DEAD

Oh ! Take me back to dear old Blighty,

Put me on the train for London Town,

Take me anywhere,

Drop me anywhere,

Liverpool, Leeds or Birmingham

'Cause I don't care,

I should like to see...

Violent person ...

Farewell to this land's cheerless marshes

Hemmed in like a boar between arches

Her very Lowness with a head in a sling

I'm truly sorry - but it sounds like a wonderful thing

I said Charles, don't you ever crave

To appear on the front of the Daily Mail

Dressed in your Mother's bridal veil ?

Oh ...

And so, I checked all the registered historical facts

And I was shocked into shame to discover

How I'm the 18th pale descendant

Of some old queen or other

Oh, has the world changed, or have I changed ?

Oh has the world changed, or have I changed ?

Some 9-year old tough who peddles drugs

I swear to God

I swear : I never even knew what drugs were

Oh ...

So, I broke into the palace

With a sponge and a rusty spanner

She said : "Eh, I know you, and you cannot sing"

I said : "That's nothing - you should hear me play piano"

We can go for a walk where it's quiet and dry

And talk about precious things

But when you're tied to your Mother's apron

No-one talks about castration

Oh ...

We can go for a walk where it's quiet and dry

And talk about precious things

Like love and law and poverty

Oh, these are the things that kill me

We can go for a walk where it's quiet and dry

And talk about precious things

But the rain that flattens my hair ...

Oh, these are the things that kill me

All their lies about make-up and long hair, are still there

Past the Pub who saps your body

And the church who'll snatch your money

The Queen is dead, boys

And it's so lonely on a limb

Past the Pub that wrecks your body

And the church - all they want is your money

The Queen is dead, boys

And it's so lonely on a limb

Life is very long, when you're lonely

---------------------------------------------------------------

FRANKLY, MR. SHANKLY

Frankly, Mr. Shankly, this position I've held

It pays my way, and it corrodes my soul

I want to leave, you will not miss me

I want to go down in musical history

Frankly, Mr. Shankly, I'm a sickening wreck

I've got the 21st century breathing down my neck

I must move fast, you understand me

I want to go down in celluloid history, Mr. Shankly

Fame, Fame, fatal Fame

It can play hideous tricks on the brain

But still I'd rather be Famous

Than righteous or holy, any day

Any day, any day

But sometimes I'd feel more fulfilled

Making Christmas cards with the mentally ill

I want to live and I want to Love

I want to catch something that I might be ashamed of

Frankly, Mr. Shankly, this position I've held

It pays my way and it corrodes my soul

Oh, I didn't realise that you wrote poetry

I didn't realise you wrote such bloody awful poetry, Mr. Shankly

Frankly, Mr. Shankly, since you ask

You are a flatulent pain in the arse

I do not mean to be so rude

Still, I must speak frankly, Mr. Shankly

Oh, give us your money !

---------------------------------------------------------------

I KNOW IT'S OVER

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head

And as I climb into an empty bed

Oh well. Enough said.

I know it's over - still I cling

I don't know where else I can go

Oh ...

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head

See, the sea wants to take me

The knife wants to slit me

Do you think you can help me ?

Sad veiled bride, please be happy

Handsome groom, give her room

Loud, loutish lover, treat her kindly

(Though she needs you

More than she loves you)

And I know it's over - still I cling

I don't know where else I can go

Over and over and over and over

Over and over, la ...

I know it's over

And it never really began

But in my heart it was so real

And you even spoke to me, and said :

"If you're so funny

Then why are you on your own tonight ?

And if you're so clever

Then why are you on your own tonight ?

If you're so very entertaining

Then why are you on your own tonight ?

If you're so very good-looking

Why do you sleep alone tonight ?

I know ...

'Cause tonight is just like any other night

That's why you're on your own tonight

With your triumphs and your charms

While they're in each other's arms..."

It's so easy to laugh

It's so easy to hate

It takes strength to be gentle and kind

Over, over, over, over

It's so easy to laugh

It's so easy to hate

It takes guts to be gentle and kind

Over, over

Love is Natural and Real

But not for you, my love

Not tonight, my love

Love is Natural and Real

But not for such as you and I, my love

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my ...

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head

Oh Mother, I can even feel the soil falling over my head

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

NEVER HAD NO ONE EVER

When you walk without ease

On these

Streets were you were raised

I had a really bad dream

It lasted 20 years, 7 months, and 27 days

I never, I'm alone, and I

Never, ever oh ... had no one ever

Now I'm outside your house

I'm alone

And I'm outside your house

I hate to intrude ...

Oh, Alone, I'm Alone, I'm Alone, I'm Alone

I'm Alone

And I never, never ... oh ... had no one ever

I never had no one ever

I never had no, no one ever

Had no one never

Never ... no ...

Oh ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

CEMETRY GATES

A dreaded sunny day

So I meet you at the cemetry gates

Keats and Yeats are on your side

A dreaded sunny day

So I meet you at the cemetry gates

Keats and Yeats are on your side

While Wilde is on mine

So we go inside and we gravely read the stones

All those people, all those lives

Where are they now ?

With loves, and hates

And passions just like mine

They were born

And then they lived

And then they died

It seems so unfair

I want to cry

You say : "'Ere thrice the sun done salutation to the dawn"

And you claim these words as your own

But I've read well, and I've heard them said

A hundred times (maybe less, maybe more)

If you must write prose/poems

The words you use should be your own

Don't plagiarise or take "on loan"

'Cause there's always someone, somewhere

With a big nose, who knows

And who trips you up and laughs

When you fall

Who'll trip you up and laugh

When you fall

You say : "'Ere long done do does did"

Words which could only be your own

And then produce the text

From whence was ripped

(Some dizzy whore, 1804)

A dreaded sunny day

So let's go where we're happy

And I meet you at the cemetry gates

Oh, Keats and Yeats are on your side

A dreaded sunny day

So let's go where we're wanted

And I meet you at the cemetry gates

Keats and Yeats are on your side

But you lose

'Cause weird lover Wilde is on mine

Sure !

---------------------------------------------------------------

BIGMOUTH STRIKES AGAIN

Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking

When I said I'd like to smash every tooth

In your head

Oh ... sweetness, sweetness, I was only joking

When I said by rights you should be

Bludgeoned in your bed

And now I know how Joan of Arc felt

Now I know how Joan of Arc felt

As the flames rose to her roman nose

And her Walkman started to melt

Oh ...

Bigmouth, la ... bigmouth, la ...

Bigmouth strikes again

And I've got no right to take my place

With the Human race

Oh, bigmouth, la ... bigmouth, la

Bigmouth strikes again

And I've got no right to take my place

With the Human race

And now I know how Joan of Arc felt

Now I know how Joan of Arc felt

As the flames rose to her roman nose

And her hearing aid started to melt

Bigmouth, la ... bigmouth, la ...

Bigmouth strikes again

And I've got no right to take my place

With the Human race

Oh ...

Bigmouth, oh ... bigmouth, la ...

Bigmouth strikes again

And I've got no right to take my place

With the Human race

Oh ...

Bigmouth, oh ... bigmouth, la ...

Bigmouth strikes again

And I've got no right to take my place

With the Human race

Oh ...

Bigmouth, oh ... bigmouth, la ...

Bigmouth strikes again

And I've got no right to take my place

With the Human race

Oh ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

THE BOY WITH THE THORN IN HIS SIDE

The boy with the thorn in his side

Behind the hatred there lies

A murderous desire for love

How can they look into my eyes

And still they don't believe me ?

How can they hear me say those words

Still they don't believe me ?

And if they don't believe me now

Will they ever believe me ?

And if they don't believe me now

Will they ever, they ever, believe me ?

Oh ...

The boy with the thorn in his side

Behind the hatred there lies

A plundering desire for love

How can they see the Love in our eyes

And still they don't believe us ?

And after all this time

They don't want to believe us

And if they don't believe us now

Will they ever believe us ?

And when you want to Live

How do you start ?

Where do you go ?

Who do you need to know ?

Oh ...

Oh no ...

Oh ...

La ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

VICAR IN A TUTU

I was minding my business

Lifting some lead off

The roof of the Holy Name church

It was worthwhile living a laughable life

To set my eyes on the blistering sight

Of a vicar in a tutu

He's not strange

He just wants to live his life this way

A scanty bit of a thing

With a decorative ring

That wouldn't cover the head of a goose

As Rose collects the money in a cannister

Who comes sliding down the bannister ?

The vicar in a tutu

He's not strange

He just wants to live his life this way

The monkish monsignor

With a head full of plaster

Said : "My man, get your vile soul dry-cleaned"

As Rose counts the money in the cannister

As natural as Rain

He dances again

My god !

The vicar in a tutu

Oh yeah

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Oh ...

The vicar in a tutu

Oh yeah

Oh ...

The next day in the pulpit

With Freedom and Ease

Combatting ignorance, dust, and disease

As Rose counts the money in the cannister

As natural as Rain

He dances again and again and again

In the fabric of a tutu

Any man could get used to

And I am the living sign

And I'm a living sign

I am a living sign

I'm a living sign

I am a living sign

I'm a living sign

Sign ...

I am a living sign

---------------------------------------------------------------

THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT

Take me out tonight

Where there's music and there's people

Who are young and alive

Driving in your car

I never never want to go home

Because I haven't got one

Anymore

Take me out tonight

Because I want to see people and I

Want to see life

Driving in your car

Oh, please don't drop me home

Because it's not my home, it's their

Home, and I'm welcome no more

And if a double-decker bus

Crashes into us

To die by your side

Is such a heavenly way to die

And if a ten-ton truck

Kills the both of us

To die by your side

Well, the pleasure - the privilege is mine

Take me out tonight

Take me anywhere, I don't care

I don't care, I don't care

And in the darkened underpass

I thought Oh God, my chance has come at last

(But then a strange fear gripped me and I

Just couldn't ask)

Take me out tonight

Oh, take me anywhere, I don't care

I don't care, I don't care

Driving in your car

I never never want to go home

Because I haven't got one, da ...

Oh, I haven't got one

And if a double-decker bus

Crashes into us

To die by your side

Is such a heavenly way to die

And if a ten-ton truck

Kills the both of us

To die by your side

Well, the pleasure - the privilege is mine

Oh, There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out

There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out

---------------------------------------------------------------

SOME GIRLS ARE BIGGER THAN OTHERS

From the ice-age to the dole-age

There is but one concern

I have just discovered :

Some girls are bigger than others

Some girl's mothers are bigger than

Other girl's mothers

Some girls are bigger than others

Some girl's mothers are bigger than

Other girl's mothers

As Anthony said to Cleopatra

As he opened a crate of ale :

Oh, I say :

Some girls are bigger than others

Some girl's mothers are bigger than

Other girl's mothers

Some girls are bigger than others

Some girl's mothers are bigger than

Other girl's mothers

Send me the pillow ...

The one that you dream on ...

Send me the pillow ...

The one that you dream on ...

And I'll send you mine

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MISERABLE LIE

So, goodbye

Please stay with your own kind

And I'll stay with mine

There's something against us

It's not time

So, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

I know I need hardly say

How much I love your casual way

Oh, but please put your tongue away

A little higher and we're well away

The dark nights are drawing in

And your humour is as black as them

I look at yours, you laugh at mine

And "love" is just a miserable lie

You have destroyed my flower-like life

Not once - twice

You have corrupt my innocent mind

Not once - twice

I know the wind-swept mystical air

It means : I'd like to see your underwear

I recognise that mystical air

It means : I'd like to seize your underwear

What do we get for our trouble and pain ?

Just a rented room in Whalley Range

What do we get for our trouble and pain ?

...Whalley Range !

Into the depths of the criminal world

I followed her ...

I need advice, I need advice

Nobody ever looks at me twice

I'm just a country-mile behind

The world

I'm just a country-mile behind

The whole world

Oh oh, oh ...

I'm just a country-mile behind

The world

I'm just a country-mile behind

The whole world

Oh oh, oh ...

Take me when you go

Oh oh, oh...

Take me when you go

Oh oh, oh ...

I need advice, I need advice

---------------------------------------------------------------

PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES

Upon the sand, upon the bay

"There is a quick and easy way" you say

Before you illustrate

I'd rather state :

"I'm not the man you think I am

I'm not the man you think I am"

And Sorrow's native son

He will not smile for anyone

And Pretty Girls Make Graves

Oh ...

End of the pier, end of the bay

You tug my arm, and say : "Give in to lust,

Give up to lust, oh heaven knows we'll

Soon be dust ... "

Oh, I'm not the man you think I am

I'm not the man you think I am

And Sorrow's native son

He will not rise for anyone

And Pretty Girls Make Graves

Oh really ?

Oh ...

I could have been wild and I could have

Been free

But Nature played this trick on me

She wants it Now

And she will not wait

But she's too rough

And I'm too delicate

Then, on the sand

Another man, he takes her hand

A smile lights up her stupid face

(and well, it would)

I lost my faith in Womanhood

I lost my faith ...

Oh ...

Hand in glove ...

The sun shines out of our behinds ...

Oh ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE

Please don't cry

For the ghost and the storm outside

Will not invade this sacred shrine

Nor infiltrate your mind

My life down I shall lie

If the bogey-man should try

To play tricks on your sacred mind

To tease, torment, and tantalise

Wavering shadows loom

A piano plays in an empty room

There'll be blood on the cleaver tonight

And when darknesss lifts and the room is bright

I'll still be by your side

For you are all that matters

And I'll love you to till the day I die

There never need be longing in your eyes

As long as the hand that rocks the cradle is mine

Ceiling shadows shimmy by

And when the wardrobe towers like a beast of prey

There's sadness in your beautiful eyes

Oh, your untouched, unsoiled, wonderous eyes

My life down I shall lie

Should restless spirits try

To play tricks on your sacred mind

I once had a child, and it saved my life

And I never even asked his name

I just looked into his wondrous eyes

And said : "never never never again"

And all too soon I did return

Just like a moth to a flame

So rattle my bones all over the stones

I'm only a beggar-man whom nobody owns

Oh, see how words as old as sin

Fit me like a glove

I'm here and here I'll stay

Together we lie, together we pray

There never need be longing in your eyes

As long as the hand that rocks the cradle is mine

Mine

Climb up on my knee, sonny boy

Although you're only three, sonny boy

You're - you're mine

And your mother she just never knew

Oh, your mother ...

As long ... as long ... as long

I did my best for her

As long ... as long ... as long as ... as long

I did my best for her

Oh ...

---------------------------------------------------------------

I DON'T OWE YOU ANYTHING

Bought on stolen wine

A nod was the first step

You knew very well

What was coming next

Bought on stolen wine

A nod was the first step

You knew very well

What was coming next

Did I really walk all this way

Just to hear you say :

"Oh, I don't want to go out tonight" ?

"Oh, I don't want to go out tonight"

Oh, but you will

For you must

I don't owe you anything, no

But you owe me something

Repay me now

You should never go to them

Let them come to you

Just like I do

You should not go to them

Let them come to you

Just like I do

Did I really walk all this way

Just to hear you say :

"Oh, I don't want to go out tonight" ?

"Oh, I don't want to go out tonight"

But you will

For you must

I don't owe you anything, no

But you owe me something

Repay me now

Too freely on your lips

Words prematurely sad

Oh, but I know what will make you smile tonight

Life is never kind

Oh, but I know what will make you smile tonight

---------------------------------------------------------------

SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN

Over the moor, take me to the moor

Dig a shallow grave

And I'll lay me down

Over the moor, take me to the moor

Dig a shallow grave

And I'll lay me down

Lesley-Anne, with your pretty white beads

Oh John, you'll never be a man

And you'll never see your home again

Oh Manchester, so much to answer for

Edward, see those alluring lights ?

Tonight will be your very last night

A woman said : "I know my son is dead

I'll never rest my hands on his sacred head"

Hindley wakes and Hindley says :

Hindley wakes, Hindley wakes, Hindley wakes, and says :

"Oh, wherever he has gone, I have gone"

But fresh lilaced moorland fields

Cannot hide the stolid stench of death

Fresh lilaced moorland fields

Cannot hide the stolid stench of death

Hindley wakes and says :

Hindley wakes, Hindley wakes, Hindley wakes, and says :

"Oh, whatever he has done, I have done"

But this is no easy ride

For a child cries :

"Oh, find me ... find me, nothing more

We are on a sullen misty moor

We may be dead and we may be gone

But we will be, we will be, we will be, right by your side

Until the day you die

This is no easy ride

We will haunt you when you laugh

Yes, you could say we're a team

You might sleep

BUT YOU WILL NEVER DREAM !

Oh, you might sleep

BUT YOU WILL NEVER DREAM !

You might sleep

BUT YOU WILL NEVER DREAM !"

Oh Manchester, so much to answer for

Oh, find me, find me !

Find me !

I'll haunt you when you laugh

Oh, I'll haunt you when you laugh

You might sleep

BUT YOU WILL NEVER DREAM !

Oh ...

Over the moors, I'm on the moor

Oh, over the moor

Oh, the child is on the moor

------------------------------------------------------------------------