Andrew Bird

Put a lid on it
What's that you say?
Put a lid on it
Oh man, no way
Put a lid down on it, and everything will be all right.
Put a lid on it
Don't hand me that
Put a lid on it
I'm all right, Jack
Put a lid down on it, before somebody starts a fight.

Say, every time I turn it loose you cats Come down and cook my goose
When I start I just can't stop
But if you keep this up you're gonna blow your top!
Put a lid on it
Too late this time
Put a lid on it
I've got to get what's mine
Put a lid down on it, and everything will be all right.

Well, grab your drink and clear a space I think it's time to torch this place
Now the girl's in overdrive
But some of your pals want to stay alive!
I'll put a lid on it
I'll put a lid down on it
Save it for another night

We meet at Lafittes each night as twilight sleeps
A kind of reverie
A kind of sleepy feeling is creeping over me
Thats the place for dancing and romancing
Thats the place where you and me could go if we were lovers stealing
An evening at Lafittes
When we meet at Lafittes each night as twilight creeps
A kind of reverie
A kind of sleepy feeling is creeping over me
Thats the place for dancing and romancing
Thats the place where you and me could go if we were lovers stealing
An evening at Lafittes

Ev'ry dog will have its day
Thats what people used to say
Nowadays thats not the case
Cuz theres a fat cat runs the place
*While the cats away the rats will surely go down
Listen up cuz im tellin you the low down
What does it matter if hes getting fatter
What does it matter if fat cat keeps getting fatter(End Chorus)
Fat cat keeps getting fatter
He comes in most ev'ry night
Wakes me up before daylight
All around that house of mine
Its pit pat pit pat pit pat all the time
*Repeat

Met the Ghost of Stephen Foster at the Hotel Paradise
This is what I told him as I gazed into his eyes:
Rooms were made for carpets,
Towers made for spires,
Ships were made for cannonade fire off from inside them
*Gwine to run all night
Gwine to run all day
Camptown ladies never sang all the doo dah day no, no, no (End Chorus)

*Repeat

Met the Ghost of Stephen Foster at the Hotel Paradise
This is what I told him as I gazed into his eyes:
Ships were made for sinking,
Whiskey made for drinking,
If we were made of cellophane, we'd all get stinking drunk quite
faster ha, ha, ha

*Repeat

Its all over there isnt any more
Its all over but whats it over for
Just when you think the partys starting
Its Over

That low down man of mine
Mistreats me all the time
He sez he loves me only
Then turns around and leaves me sad and lonely
If he could see through my eyes
And be the one who cries
He would see
He would never be
That low down man of mine
That low down man with his low down ways
I know he'll go some day
It wont be long
But from now on
If he could see through my eyes
And be the one who cries
He would see
He would never be
That low down man of mine
If he could see through my eyes
And be the one who cries
He would see
He'd come back to me
That low down man

My drag
Its a weight on my back
Im lost in a stack without my drag
My blues
Alone and confused
Im spreading the news about my drag
I could go right along singing songs of love
That happiness brings
If I stop for a while I could smile and be glad
But that crazy feeling back bad
My drag
Its a hound on my track
I just fell through the cracks into my drag

All the birds up in the trees have got a different song to sing
And as birds learned now they've learned that swing
They've been Pallin' with Al (me too)
Down below at the candy shop, theyre still workin at that same old chore
But the stuff heres sweeter than it was before
You know why people,
Pallin with Al Who's that man who's got that sentemental swing
Plays that mess just like it doesn't mean a thing
Gather round you all and watch him
Watch him pluck those strings
People, when he gets that right hand pumpin'
All those kiddies got to start buck jumpin'
Listen now and dont forget
If you go for that solid jive
You can always keep the dream alive
Be bop a doo bop a bee ba doo way

I was walking down the street
A stranger said to me
Be careful what you do
Then when waiting for a train
I heard a strange refrain
Id watch out if I were you, boy
Is something going to happen soon
Somethings going to happen soon
I have a phone that dosent ring
A line that dosent sting
I have a dream where snowflakes fall inside a painted hall
But that dont pay the rent
If you draw a bow draw the strongest
Yes, and if you use an arrow use the longest
Altough I dont spook easily
It has occured to me
Transformation is in the air
Are the heavens conspiring to show me this new thing
Or has it always been there

In a line at a cafe
I overheard a waitress say
'These cats is broke, I knows 'em
Through 'em out the doors and close 'em'

Still look saggy, for so low
This occupation's got to go
Up pulls the limo, up goes the thrill
The suits are picking up the bill

It's alright for them to tag along
It's just one bill their tagging on
I'll find some way to get along
The business suits to the rescue
So nice doing business with you
Do we really hate the clock
When we realize that 'Oh, their selling down for the deal'
The suits are picking up, the suits are picking up the bill

I cannot say from where I'm standing
My friends have passed out on the landing
Yes, one too many has left us high and dry
I've been feeling down, since the suits got back in town

When you do that little thing
That fascinating thing
I get so fascinated with you baby
My knees get weak
Every time you speak my name
The way you treat me mama means everything
Come on and do that thing
That fascinating thing!

Tonight I will dream
Far below the fading light
My dream is for you
My arms were made to hold you tight
Now the time has come
The time has come

This is the story of the trou macacq, the pine box derby, the monkey track
This is the story of the trou macacq, the pine box derby, the monkey track
Not what I heard or saw on TV,
But what I witnessed entirely
Each bend in the road was infact another curve on the monkey track
Once upon a time we thought we were free
And had control over destiny
We saw ourselves a competent band
Able to reason, prosper and plan
But we had a chamber in the moon
Circumstance made us change our tune
When the veil was torn from our face
We became the monkeys riding the race
MONKEY!
You think you got the stuff it takes to break away!
Boy youll be on the track every day
Talent, vigor,drive
Youll eat peanut butter the rest of your life
And these last things you can arrange
Find other people equally strange
Stuff yourselves in the van and ride the pine box derby to the finish line
I said: Chris P. rides on a serious plan
Hes going to finish as fast as he can
The Escalator takes it personally
And does not drive professionally
Charming Enchantress and Bones can run
Even if the winshield wipers are on
I the Broadcaster avoid police
But the Bat was led into custody

But someone's got to go
It's Christmas Eve, people
But someone's got to go
I never thought he'd have the nerve
But that just shows you what I know
He had a sweet and lonely voice
How I wish that he had stayed
He had a sweet and lonely voice
How I wish that he had stayed
But the dealer dealt the cards
And the ace has done been played
He used to talk about forever
Forever and a day
But when you get down to it
Things just don't work out that way
Merry Christmas Johnny
Though you're leaving now
The anticipation's better
Than the real thing anyhow

Whats that up on the roof?
The snow is falling down
Up in some northern town
But a Carolina Christmas
Is still the best around
Wrap up your teddy bear
Hang your stockings up with care
It's a Carolina Christmas
We're chillin' in our underwear
Well Old St. Nick's got a bag of tricks
And he's comin' 'round after 'while
This must be his favorite haunt
'Cause we always do it up in style
Grandma's got the fiddle
And Grandpa's got the bass
When it's Christmas in Carolina
It's Christmas all over the place
Grandma's got the fiddle
And Grandpa's got the bass
When it's Christmas in Carolina
It's Christmas all over the place
Yes boy, get that stocking out of yer mouth

Jim:My heart is sad, my soul is weary
Though Christmas day is fast appear
I have no silver I have no gold
To buy my wife a gift this year
To see her sad on Christmas morning
Is a thing I cannot bear
I'll pawn the watch my father gave me
To buy a come for her hair
Katharine:
Oh Mother, Mother what shall I do?
Though Christmas day is fast appear
I have no silver I have no gold
To buy my love a gift this year
For I am poor and I'm a beggar
Not a cent have I, no dime I claim
I'll trade the golden hair that is our pleasure
Buy for your watch a golden chain
Jim:
Darling, darling today is Christmas
What has become of your golden hair
For I've traded our only treasure
These silver combs for you to wear
Katharine:
Darling, darling we've lost our treasure
My gift to you is a golden chain
Though we've pawned away our only pleasures
These gifts we give are not in vain
All:
The wise men came on Christmas morning
Their gifts of love they came to bear
From that day on always remembered
Our own true love forever share

Want to show old Santa Claus that I be-lieve
Silent Night and the stars are bright
The fields are white with snow
Christmas trees are wating
Lights are turned down low
Tinsel shells and tinsle bells
Reflect the firelight's hue
Seem to whisper softly
There's just one thing to do, I'm...
Hanging up my stockings
Tonight is Christmas Eve
Want to show old Santa Claus that I believe
Want to see his reindeer danicing
Through the snow
Hope their bells will wake me up
So I will know
Now Iay me down to sleep upon this joyful night
Angels will watch over me until the morning light
Now Iay me down to sleep upon this joyful night
Now I have seen his reindeer prancing
Through the snow
Heard their bells their tinsel shells
So now I know
Santa Claus has been here
That's one thing I believe
So I'm putting up my stocking 'til next
Christmas Eve

The leaves on the trees are falling
Blossoms, once blooming
Have withered and died
The season is turning to Christmas
I'm longing to be by my dear mother's side
So...
I'm coming home for Cristmas
To be with my family
And loved ones so dear
I'm coming home for Christmas
Coming home for Christmas this year
As I read the letter she wrote me
Just a Mother at home alone Christmas Eve
Who's longing for Christmas to come back
For presents underneath the tree
So...
I'm coming home for Cristmas
To be with my family
And loved ones so dear
I'm coming home for Christmas
Coming home for Christmas this year
I'm coming home for Cristmas
To be with my family
And loved ones so dear
I'm coming home for Christmas
Coming home for Christmas this year
Coming home for Christmas this year

Well, I've got a friend
Who lives across town
Every year when Christmas rolls around
He gives me my Christmas presents in a paper sack
Two hours later he wants it back
He's an Indian Giver!
I ran to my momma I was hollerin' and crying
She sent me to my poppa and I ain't lying
He gave me some advice,
It sounded all right
But you know that he took it back later that night
He's an Indian Giver!
Gonna write Santy Claus a valentine
Please Santy Claus won't you be mine?
When you bring around the presents in a 'leven foot sack
Please Mr. Santy don't take 'em back!
Don't be no Indian Giver!
Jim: Santa, is it really you?
Santa: Why, yes
Jim: I've been waiting for you all night, and look at all these presents! Are they for me, Santa?
Santa: HO HO hooold on a minute now boy. I done check my list twice and you don't get no presents
Jim: What list? Don't tell me you're takin' them back!
Santa: How 'bout this nice lump of coal?
Jim: Don't tell me you're an indian giver!
Jim: (cries)
Santa: HO HO HO
Jim: Not Santa

Summer smiles but passes on
Autumn sings her lonely song
The robin waits for Spring
But what will waiting bring
Winter spreads her blanket down
White and flawless on the ground
The flowers can't be seen
But you're my evergreen
Cold north wind has come around
Fragile ones stay underground
But there is one who thrives
Despite the chilling sky
The one I love is constant, though
Seasons come and seasons go
She will abide with me
My darling evergreen
The one I love is constant, though
Seasons come and seasons go
She will abide with me
My darling evergreen

I love the winter weather
Because the two of us can get together
There's nothing sweeter, finer
When it's nice and cold I can hold
Baby closer, to me
Collecting all the kisses that are due me
I love the winter weather
Because I've got my love to keep me warm
I love the winter weather
Because the two of us can get together
There's nothing sweeter, finer
When it's nice and cold I can hold
Baby closer, to me
Collecting little kisses that are due me
I love the winter weather
Because I've got my love to keep me warm
So warm

Step right on up, take a good good look
at the latest pie that fate could cook
this is no phenom, so supermarket guru
just a revelation from me to you

So don't believe a thing that you might hear
at least from the last 30 - 40 years
cause it wasn't long ago just before the reign of Nero
we had no concept of zero

So beware, children beware, the devil may care
six little soldiers with stripes on their shoulders
never with a thought to dare

So take aim, children take aim
the drill sargeant sang
with ample perspiration ordered
stop your respiration
and end the flow of oxygen to the brain

So wake up sleepyheads, listen what I have to say
as you near your independence day
just keep in mind, in time your find so few
so few have your best interrests in mind

so don't believe a thing you might hear
at least from the last 3 - 4,000 years
'cause is wasn't long ago just before the reign of Nero
we had no concept of zero

so beware, children beware
the devil may care...
and maybe he's the only one

Step right on up, take a good good look
at the latest pie that fate could cook
this is no phenom, so supermarket guru
just a revelation from me to you

So don't believe a thing that you might hear
at least from the last 30 - 40 years
cause it wasn't long ago just before the reign of Nero
we had no concept of zero

So beware, children beware, the devil may care
six little soldiers with stripes on their shoulders
never with a thought to dare

So take aim, children take aim
the drill sargeant sang
with ample perspiration ordered
stop your respiration
and end the flow of oxygen to the brain

So wake up sleepyheads, listen what I have to say
as you near your independence day
just keep in mind, in time your find so few
so few have your best interrests in mind

so don't believe a thing you might hear
at least from the last 3 - 4,000 years
'cause is wasn't long ago just before the reign of Nero
we had no concept of zero

so beware, children beware
the devil may care...
and maybe he's the only one

day before the fires of hell

You let me in your house
You let me in your house
You let me in your house with a hammer
Set to tile or set to stone
Tit for tat and bone for bone
I'm goin' to set fire to your glamour

Well now rock that candy shop
Rock that candy shop
Rock that candy shop set it on fire
Run away and watch it burn
I've got to set fire to your glamour

Bah da dee'

Rock that candy shop
Rock that candy shop
Rock that candy shop set it on fire
Run away watch it burn
Smell the ashes in the air
Of this silly game we're sure to tire

Well, you let me in your house
You let me in your house
You let me in your house with a hammer
Set to tile or set to stone
Tit for tat and bone for bone
I'm goin' to set fire to your glamour
Yes to your glamour
Yes little mama, to your glamour
To your'.

Let it rock
Listen to me now let it rock, let it rock now

Rock that candy shop

She's got a ham in her handbag, a pig in her purse
She's got two-ply no-fly baby buggers
She's got a burlap sack, she's on a voter parade
She's gonna get some carob cigars and some lemonade
No need to put your ear to the ground
Dora Munch is coming to town

She puts eggs in her orange juice, coffee in her tea
Puts olives in her jelly, says that's the way it's gonna be
Ashes and mashes and dust and mustard
Creamed spinach sandwich and she cuts the crusts off
Don't let it show that you wanted some
Dora Munch is coming to town

She's got a ham in her handbag, a pig in her purse
She's got two-ply no-fly baby buggers
She's got a burlap sack, she's on a voter parade
She's gonna get some carob cigars and some lemonade
No need to put your ear to the ground
Dora Munch is coming to town

She puts eggs in her orange juice, coffee in her tea
Puts olives in her jelly, says that's the way it's gonna be
Ashes and mashes and dust and mustard
Creamed spinach sandwich and she cuts the crusts off
Don't let it show that you wanted some
Dora Munch is coming to town, yes sir
Dora Munch is coming to town, you heard me the first time
Dora Munch is coming to town

Feetlips, why do you do that way?
You know you'll have to pay
for your making us nauseous

Feetlips, you know today's the day
you turn the other way
and you eat your galoshes

you thought Somepeople was a tragic name
he was the easiest one to blame
his weather systems tempered and tame
till you catch wind of...

Feetlips...you're so brash
waltzing around talking your trash
no, you haven't been drinking
you just talk without thinking
it's what got you this far
but it's not worth one dollar
no it's not a boy
quiet...quiet...quiet...quiet...quiet...quiet...quiet...

Feetlips, why do you do that way
you know you'll have to pay...

Feetlips

Don't tell me anything...anyhow
your contribution, proposed solution fails for now
cause I can see your house from here
now the leaves have fallen, dear
you're such a little privateer
as your confession draws mor enear

Don't sell me anything...of any kind
your one time offer is so uncalled for
you call it piece of mind
but I don't want your life insurance
home auto health fire insurance
just make this basic inference
employs a little common sense

Time and again I find I'm listless or rather fistless
in time that's what I find
Carry me to Mecca with what you may devine
take me with you, take me with you, don't leave me behind

Don't tell me anything...anyhow
your trite donation, commercialization
won't hold water now
'cause I can see your ship from here
now the weather's bright and clear
you're such a little privateer
as your confession draws near

There was a time when I enjoyed vidalia
there was no other fruit I dared my lips to touch
my grandad he prescribed vidalia
"for whatever ails ya" - heart disease, the grippe and such

But to yourself this medicine you'll properly expose
the benefits of health, wealth, and respect
Eat it like an apple of a deep-colored rose
sweet victory will be yours to delect

But how my palate grows tired
so sweet, so sweet, so sweet
no thanks I'll take defeat

I remember a dark and smoky den
Cheeks of roast beef bloody rare
Oh, whiskey-edged faces of barrel-chested men
And I'm feelin' small, weak and scared

I remember that nook, the way I shook
pain hurts innocence be damned
red with shame and red with pain
we all sit down to eat our leg of lamb
our leg of lamb...
we all sit down to eat our leg of lamb

Wait, don't go too early
you're tired but everyone's tired
but no one is tired enough
only wait a little and listen

music of hair, music of pain
music of looms weaving all our loves again
be there to hear it, it's your only chance

hair will become interesting
pain will become interesting
second hand gloves will become lovely again

wait, wait for now
distrust everything if you have to
but trust the hours
haven't they carried you everywhere up to now

Wishing for contentment, hoping for relentment
venting my resentment on the happy few

Awaiting resolution, and dreams of restitution
finding retribution's just another thing to do

You've got to keep yourself busy, visit Aunt Lizzy
just see how she's been
But when you're making a late run
two judgmental matrons retort, see what I mean?

A seeming reprobation, perhaps it's my vocation
a nauseous elation comes to mind but it fades so soon

Every dog will have it's day
That's what people used to say
Now and then that's not the case
There's a fat cat 'round the place

Cat's away, the rats will surely go down
Listen up 'cause I'm tellin' you the lowdown

What does it matter if he keeps getting fatter
What does it matter if fat cat's getting fatter

Fat cat keeps getting fatter

He comes in most every night
Wakes me up before daylight
All around he doesn't mind
Pit pat pit pat pit pat all the time

Cat's away, the rats will surely go down
Listen up 'cause I'm tellin' you the lowdown

What does it matter if he keeps getting fatter
What does it matter if fat cat's getting fatter

Fat cat keeps getting fatter
Fat cat keeps getting fatter
Fat cat keeps getting fatter

I've been searchin' all over for someone
I can tell my troubles to
Searchin' all the wide world over
Is it you, is it you

Are you the kind of man that marries
then gets his mind on somethin' new
You gotta let me know I'm all alone
Is it you, is it you
Is it you baby
Is it you

I confide in you
you seem to understand my point of view
I'm old inside
and you can't understand why, can't understand why

I confide in you
you seem to understand my point of view
I'm old inside
and you can't understand why, can't understand why

I've been searchin' all over for someone
I can tell my troubles to
Searchin' all the wide world over
Is it you, Is it you
Is it you baby
Is it?

Now if you think I'm wasting your time again
I'm wasting your time
When you pick me up in duty free
That's when I thought I'd be the cross in your T
Or must see TV

Tram pam pam pam, but
If you think I'm wasting your time again
No, oh, you're wasting mine
When you're playing for a prime-time dream
The CNB scene
Now I'm just a split in your seam the I in your team

Oooh please don't get too excited
Oooh maybe you're not invited
To my action adventure
My action adventure dream

So when you think you're on the fast track
You find it's just a cul-de-sac back
In that adult lifestyle community
Where all your little boys, your action toys are duty free

Oooh please don't get too excited
Ooooh maybe you're not invited
To my action adventure
My action adventure dream

So I wonder what you got your persona for
Cause there's a 2-for-one down at the corner-store
And I wonder could ya pep it up a bit
You know throw a fit
You go ahead and dance
I'll just sit

If you think I'm wasting your time again
I'm wasting your time again
oh, you're wasting mine
When you're playing for a prime-time dream
The CNB scene
Now I'm just a split in your seam the I in your team

So I'm looking at the back of my hand again
Oh, I'm looking at the back of my hand again,
To what end if I can't even find a goddamn pen

whenever paul thinks of rain,
swallows fall in a wave and tap on his window with their beaks
whenever paul thinks of snow,
soft winds blow round his head and his phone rings just once
late at night-like a bird calling out,
"wake up, paul. don't be scared.
don't believe you're all alone."
"wake up, paul," whisper clouds rolling by and the seeds
falling softly from the branches of the trees.

then it was dusk in Illinois
a small boy, after an afternoon of carting dung hung
on a rail fence, a sapped thing
weary to crying

dark was growing tall
he began to hear the pond frogs all calling on his ear
they were calling on his ears with what seemed their joy

soon the sound was pleasant for a boy
listening in the smoky dusk and nightfall of illinois
and from the fields two small boys came
bearing cornstalk violins
so they rubbed the cornstalk bows with resins
and the three just sat there scraping of the joy
of their joy, they're scraping of the joy

it was now fine music
the frogs and the boys did
in the towering illinois twilight make and into dark
in spite a shoulder's ache
a boy's hunched body loved out of a stalk
the first song of his happiness
and the song woke his heart into the darkness and sadness of joy

dark was growing tall
he began to hear the pond frogs all calling on his ear
they were calling on his ear with what seemed their joy

We're keeping busy yeah we're bleeding stones
With our machinations and our palindromes
Anything but hear a voice
Anything but hear a voice
Anything but hear a voice
That says we're basically alone
Says we're basically alone

We're keeping busy yeah we're bleeding stones
With our machinations and our palindromes
Anything but hear a voice
That says we're basically alone
Says we're basically alone
Says we're basically alone

We're keeping busy yeah we're bleeding stones
With our machinations and our palindromes
Anything but hear a voice
Anything but hear a voice
That says we're basically alone
Says we're basically alone
Says we're basically alone

being alone it can be quite romantic
like Jacques Cousteau underneath the Atlantic
a fantastic voyage to parts unknown
going to depths where the sun's never shone
and I fascinate myself when I'm alone

so I go a little overboard but hang on to the hull
while I'm airbrushing fantasy art on a life
that's really kind of dull
oh, I'm in a lull

I'm all for moderation but sometimes it seems
moderation itself can be a kind of extreme
so I joined the congregation
I joined the softball team
I went in for my confirmation
where incense looks like steam
I start conjugating proverbs
where once there were nouns
this whole damn rhyme scheme's starting to get me down

Oh, I'm in a lull
I'm in a lull

being alone it can be quite romantic
like jacques cousteau underneath the atlantic
a fantastic voyage to parts unknown
going to depths where the sun's never shone
and I fascinate myself when I'm alone

I'm rambling on rather self consciously
while I'm stirring these condiments into my tea
and I think I'm so lame
I bet I think this song's about me
don't I don't I don't I?

I'm in a lull

my skin is
white as parchment
drier than a downtown office building
where the air is tight
there's time spent
resting on her bones
waiting for the telephone to ring
ba-ring ba-ring ba-ring . . .
bo-ring bo-ring bo-ring . . .

my skin is
cold as her toes on the bathroom floor
run back to bed and slam the door
oh what a lovely sound
oh how it shakes the ground
oh what a lovely sound
oh what a lovely sound
oh what a lovely...

skin is my
it's the only thing
that doesn't really fly in my land
and love, oh love
is my love is
it's the only thing that
butterfly in Thailand

let it be printed on every t-shirt in this land
on the finest of cottons and the hippest of brands
in bolder letters than the capital I
it's the only thing, it's the only thing
it's the only lonely, whoa

my skin is
white as parchment
drier than a downtown office building
where the air is tight
there's time spent
waiting for that
macrame bird of prey
to come down and sing
la-ling la-ling la-ling...
oh what a lovely sound
oh how it shakes the ground
oh what a lovely sound
oh how it shakes the ground
oh what a lovely sound

oh what a lovely sound
oh how it shakes the ground
oh what a lovely sound
oh how it shakes the ground
oh what a lovely sound
oh, oh what a lovely sound

quiet
quiet down she said
speaking to the back of his head
on the edge of her bed
I can see your blood flow
your cells grow

hold still a while
don't spill the wine
I can see it all from here
I can see
I can see
weather systems of the world

and every time you turn the soil
another cloud begins to boil

some things you say
are not for sale
I would hold that we're
all free agents
of a substance or scale

hold still a while
don't spill the wine
I can see it all from here
I can see
I can see
weather systems of the world

There's one guy I'd like to thank
He signs the checks and leaves them blank
He's the one
He says you don't have to walk a plank
The game is rigged, go fig your
Slide show tanked
And your flagship sank
So we're taking all our myths to the bank
So just don't forget who to thank
We're taking our myths to the
Drinking a fifth to the
We're taking all our myths to the bank
If you could just do him this favor
Although it might involve child labor
Join his entourage
Give him a foot massage
From Star Search to the Philharmonic
He'll get you there with Hooked on Phonics
He's the one to know
Doesn't matter if you blow ? no no
In fact it's just the thing
He thinks we're needing
It's a lukewarm liquid diet
They're force feeding
When the words we use have lost their bite
Now they hit you like an imaginary pillow fight
But it's all right
Cause you're inside
And you're in tight
Deals in commodities of the abstract sort
Buys them in bulk but sells them short
Talent, genius, love even signs of affection
He floods the market there's no price protection
And when his master plan is unfurled
There stands a handsome bid on the weather systems of the world

My pitiful sorrows have seen more tomorrows than yours
My rain really pours
At least more than yours
At least more than yours

In the depths of my sadness there's a beautiful madness you see
It's right here on my sleeve
You must not believe
I can see you just don't believe

So I really have to say it's all just so romantic
Cause I've seen the others try and they just seem pedantic

Cause when it comes to misery
When it comes to misery
When it comes to misery
No one competes with me

My sweeping emotions have spanned the great oceans
From this fifty foot wave I just can't be saved
O don't even try
I can't be saved

My pitiful sorrows have seen more tomorrows than yours
My rain really pours
At least more than yours
At least more than yours

So I really have to say it's all just so romantic
Cause I've seen the others try and they just seem pedantic

Cause when it comes to misery
When it comes to misery
When it comes to misery
No one competes with me

Some day
Some happy day
Some day I'll find
I live before I die some day
Oh Lord, some day

Some day
Some happy day
Some day I'll find
The one with eyes that say those words I cannot find

I hope I live before I die some day
Oh, some day
I hope there's tears of joy I cry
Some day
Lord, some day

Some day
Some happy day
Some day I'll find
The one with eyes that say those words I cannot find

I was walking
With my feet
A disposition
Fell over me

The armory wall was bleeding
The restless child was reading

I was swimming
Could hardly stand
The swimming hour was at hand
The fishes they were feeding
The lambs they were bleating

I walk slowly
When I walk away from you

I'm feeling bad
I'm looking bad
I feel and look so bad
Some might say
Yours truly is soaking his head

There's apprehension
And inhibition
All contributions
To my attrition
And it happened long ago
These things these things
That make me walk so darn slow

well you sure didn't look like you were having any fun
with that heavy-metal gaze they'll have to measure in tons
and when you look up at the sky
all you see are zeros
all you see are zeros and ones
you took my hand and led me down to watch the kewpie doll parade
we let the kittens lick our hair and drank our chalky lemonade
it's not that I just didn't care I must admit I was afraid
and I'm awfully glad my finger's resting gently on the masterfade
the masterfade
I coulda played along
the masterfade
I coulda played Mah Jongg
but it just takes too long
and I just can't remember
which way the east wind blows does it matter?
if we're all matter
what's it matter does it matter
if we're all matter when we're done?
when the sky is full of zeros and ones
I saw you standing all alone in the electrostatic rain
I thought at last I'd found a situation you can't explain
with GPS you know it's all just a matter of degrees
your happiness won't find you underneath that canopy of trees
if the green grass is 6 the soybeans are 7
the junebugs are 8 the weeds and thistles are 11
and if the 1s just hold their place the 0s make a smiley face
when they come floating down from the heavens
you took my hand and led me down to watch a papillon parade
we let the kittens lick our hair and drank our chalky lemonade
you squeezed my hand and told me softly that I shouldn't be afraid
'cause all the while your finger's resting gently on the masterfade
the masterfade
I coulda played along
the masterfade
I coulda played Mah Jongg
but it just takes too long
and who the hell can remember
which way the east wind blows
when you're lying on the ground
staring up at an inverted compass
I mean Christ who knows?

those that will judge
will say you're aloof
but you know the truth is a seed
you know what you need
is a conflagration
cause when I see your blood
and the bits of your broken tooth
it gives me the proof that I need
it's the proof that you bleed
and it's a revelation
it's a revelation
I thought you were a life-sized paper doll
propped up in the hardware store
propped up on the front lawn watching the parade
of the legionnaires with 2/4s
marching off to wars
I didn't know what you were made of
color of your blood what you're afraid of
are you made of calcium or are you carbon based
cause if you're made of calcium I'll have to take a taste
calcium is deadly, but tender to the tooth
but it's one sure-fire way to know if you're mx-missile proof
or if you're just aloof
and you were in the ground in late November
though the leaves and earth were damp
did you think they would remember
how you almost made state champ
and when you're running for the game against Alfonsus
and you fell up on the ground and chipped your tooth
that might really have surprised us
to learn that maybe you weren't really mx-missiles proof

Give her a red lipstick and a bright pair of shoes
A new bob haircut and a shot of good booze
her/(hurry?) down-sweet daddy, I’m blowing your horn
oh if you come too late
no no, your mama' will be gone

come along young man, everything's sitting right here
my husband's gone away till next Saturday night
her/(hurry?) down-sweet daddy, I’m blowing your horn
oh if you come too late
no no, your mama' will be gone

I’m round-a-go, red shoes on my feet
got my mind set right for ten years at sea
her/(hurry?) down-sweet daddy, I’m blowing your horn
if you come too late
no no, your mama' will be gone

yeah cause the red rooster says "cock-a-doodle do do"
the wishing woman says "and a doodle do"
her/(hurry?) down-sweet daddy, I’m blowing your horn
if you come too late
no no, your mama' will be gone
one more time

red rooster says "cock-a-doodle do do"
the wishing woman says "and a doodle do"
her/(hurry?) down-sweet daddy, I’m blowing your horn
if you come too late
no no, your mama' will be gone

if you come too late
your mama' will be gone

my skin is
white as parchment
drier than a downtown office building
where the air is tight
there's time spent
resting on her bones
waiting for the telephone to ring
ba-ring ba-ring ba-ring . . .
bo-ring bo-ring bo-ring . . .

my skin is
cold as her toes on the bathroom floor
run back to bed and slam the door
oh what a lovely sound
oh how it shakes the ground
oh what a lovely sound
oh what a lovely sound
oh what a lovely...

skin is my
it's the only thing
that doesn't really fly in my land
and love, oh love
is my love is
it's the only thing that
butterfly in Thailand

let it be printed on every t-shirt in this land
on the finest of cottons and the hippest of brands
in bolder letters than the capital I
it's the only thing, it's the only thing
it's the only lonely, whoa

my skin is
white as parchment
drier than a downtown office building
where the air is tight
there's time spent
waiting for that
macrame bird of prey
to come down and sing
la-ling la-ling la-ling...
oh what a lovely sound
oh how it shakes the ground
oh what a lovely sound
oh how it shakes the ground
oh what a lovely sound

oh what a lovely sound
oh how it shakes the ground
oh what a lovely sound
oh how it shakes the ground
oh what a lovely sound
oh, oh what a lovely sound

All alone now, guess I'm satisfied
All alone now, guess I'm satisfied

Lil' bit older now, guess I'm satisfied

What a dream life would seem
If only they'd let you keep your etch-a-sketch

What a dream life would seem
If only they'd let you keep your etch-a-sketch

When I was a little boy I threw away my action toys
I became obsessed with operation

with Hearts and minds and certain glands
You learn to keep a steady hand
And thus began a morbid fascination with...

sweetbreads, I could taste what you were thinking
sweetbreads, that's the taste of neurons thinking

Do you wonder where the self resides
Is it in your head or between your sides
And who's going to decide its true location?
cause it's a question for the centuries
from communion to mad cow disease
but is it worthy of a song - all life's location?

oh and the sweetest sweetbread of them all within the kingdom of afar
call them thoughts and metaphor-inations
they call them

sweetbreads, I could taste what you were thinking
sweetbreads, that's the taste of neurons thinking

does the thought of bowels red and black
the thought of tongues that taste you back fill you with a nauseous elation
where a simple trip to the grocery store could fill you with an abject horror
can you taste the misery of those crustaceans?

oh and the sweetest sweetbread of them all
within the kingdom of afar should've caused some silent machinations
they call them

sweetbreads, I could taste what you were thinking
sweetbreads, that's the taste of neurons thinking
aw, I could taste what you were thinking
oh, give me your thoughts about sweetbread

Elder Green is dead and gone
Lost his way going to town
Don't know who he is or what he's done
But it sure sounds sweet rolling off the tongue
Yeah it sure sounds sweet rolling off the tongue

If I was in an old hotel
That happened to be on fire
Maybe I'd jump or
Maybe I'd reconsider
Then I'd climb a little higher

Like an oily rag
In a dusty corner
Like a box of matches near an open flame
I'd jump 18 stories from a burning fire
Sooner than I'd face this world of shame
Yeah I'd skip this town and
Jump a westbound train

Take these fingerlings from my fingers
Spoken with your breath
With white-washed eyes
And flies that linger
Seems rather forlorn and bereft

I said where you goin' with that sack on your shoulder Willie
As if I couldn't have guessed
He says I'm gonna get the hell
Out of Slag Valley and take a little stroll way out west

If I was in an old hotel
That happened to be on fire
Maybe I'd jump or
Maybe I'd reconsider
Then I'd climb a little higher

Like an oily rag
In a dusty corner
Like a box of matches near an open flame
I'd get so far away
From that old matchbox hotel
Man I'd skip this town and
Jump a westbound train
Anything to get away from this shame

Take these fingerlings from my fingers
Spoken with your breath
With white-washed eyes
And flies that linger
Seems rather forlorn and bereft

I said where you goin' with that sack on your shoulder Willie
As if I couldn't have guessed
He says I'm gonna get the hell
Out of Slag Valley and take a little stroll way out west