Chris Geddes [Belle & Sebastian]

dreamt I had to go to Mars.

I'm always kidding on about going to Mars for the day
But faced with the reality of it, in a dream, i was terrified.

And it wasn't going to be like a moon trip
There was three of us going, but we couldn't all go on the same ship
We had to go one at a time with a day between us.

I had to go first, and it was the thought of passing through all that black space
All the darkness with nothing in it, and then being the first one to land there, all alone... I knew it was supposed to be all dark around, with just a red surface
But what if I got there and it was light, all civilised and populated and stuff?

So I made a plan.
The other astronauts were going to be my dad and my sister
And my dad would come first after me
So i decided when i landed i would just stay in my seat until he got there
And then we could get out together and have a look around
And see what sort of things were there.

And when I woke up and I was lying in the darkness, I thought I had landed.
And I just lay still for a while, waiting for my dad to get there too.

Summer in winter
Winter in springtime
You heard the birds sing
Everything will be fine

I spent the summer wasting
The time was passed so easily
But if the summer's wasted
How come that I could feel so free
I spent the summer wasting
The sky was blue beyond compare
A photograph of myself
Is all I have to show for

Seven weeks of river walkways
Seven weeks of staying up all night

I spent the summer wasting
The time was passed so pleasantly
Say cheerio to books now
The only things I'll read are faces
1 spent the summer wasting
Under a canopy of

Seven weeks of reading papers
Seven weeks of river walkways
Seven weeks of feeling guilty
Seven weeks of staying up all night

Summer in winter
Winter is springtime
You heard the bird say
Everything will be fine

When the half light makes for a clearer view
Sleep a little more if you want to
But restlessness has siezed me now, it’s true
I could watch the dreams flicker in your eyes
Lying here asleep on a sunbeam
I wonder if you realise you fascinate me so

Think about a new destination
If you think you need inspiration
Roll out the map and mark it with a pin
I will follow every direction
Just lace up your shoes
while I’m fetching a sleeping bag, a tent...
Another summer’s passing by
All I need is somewhere I feel the grass beneath my feet
A walk on sand, a fire I can warm my hands
My joy will be complete

I thought about a new destination
I’m never short of new inspiration
Roll out the map and mark it with a gin
Made my plans to conquer the country
I’m waiting for you to get out of your situation
With your job and with your life
All I need is somewhere I feel the grass beneath my feet
A walk on sand
A fire, I can warm my hands
My joy will be complete

Another summer’s passing by
All I need is somewhere I feel the grass beneath my feet
A walk on sand, a fire I can warm my hands
My joy will be complete

Joseph was travelling with a heavy load
His dreams were broken and deep sorrow flowed
from his brow
Closer to sundown he prepared to rest
Set down the burden,
lay upon his chest
Then she came
Sir, come to me and I will keep you warm
Taste hope in my skin and faith with the dawn
You will rise
Beyond the sunrise that is where we live
Feeding our counsel and true comfort give
Travelling men
Joseph was sure the liquor had caused this dream
His eyes were sure that heaven was not her scene
She was no saint
Sir, come to me and I will keep you warm
Taste hope in my skin and faith with the dawn
you will rise

what was it I saw in New York
I'm not the same anymore
how will I hide these feelings inside
call my girl on the phone
neon lights shine brgith
Taxi cabs glide by
aeroplanes they fly
high up in the sky
pretty girl says Hi
whats the worst
job you've had
what do you read
what's driving you mad
met the cigarette girl
took a note of her charmed
but no cigar
met the Indie Cool Queen
took me out to the bar
and showed me the scene
my little girl I can't find
she's five hours behind
it's the singer not the song
something's gone wrong
said the spider to the fly
do I like this girl
it's such a big world
I like the tone of her voice
I loved the sound of her voice

When I get back to London from
outer space
will it fall into place
I'll hold onto my smile
find my girl in a while
look myself in the face
don't know what you see
am I playing in your movie
you're in my magazine
are you talking to me
CHICKFACTOR

what was it I saw in New York?
I'm not the same anymore
how will I hide these feelings inside
call my girl on the phone
neon lights shine brgith
Taxi cabs glide by
aeroplanes they fly, high up in the sky
pretty girl says "Hi..
whats the worst job you've had?
what do you read?
what's driving you mad?"

met the cigarette girl
- took a note of her charmed
but no cigar
met the Indie-Cool Queen
took me out to the bar
and showed me the scene
my little girl I can't find
she's five hours behind
it's the singer not the song
"something's gone wrong"
said the spider to the fly
do I like this girl?
it's such a big world
I like the tone of her voice
I loved the sound of her voice

When I get back to London from outer space
will it fall into place?
I'll hold onto my smile
find my girl in a while
look myself in the face
don't know what you see
am I playing in your movie?
you're in my magazine
are you talking to me?
CHICKFACTOR

Dear Catastrophe Waitress

Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Dear Catastrophe Waitress
I’m sorry that you seem to have the weight of the world over you
I cherish your smile
There’s a word of peace on you lips
Say it, and with tenderness I’ll cherish you
Dear Catastrophe Girlfriend
Dear Catastrophe Girlfriend
I’m sorry if he hit you with a full can of Coke
It’s no joke
Your face is bleeding
You’ll soon be leaving this town to the clowns who worship
No one but themselves
No one but themselves

Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Dear Catastrophe Waitress
I’m sorry if the kids hold you in cool disregard
I know it’s hard
Stick to what you know
You’ll blow them all to the wall
When they realise what you’ve been working for
You’ve been working for
You’ve been working for

I'm lucky, 1 can open the door and I can walk down the street
Unlucky, I've got nowhere to go and so 1 follow my feet

A choice is facing you, a healthy dose of pain
A choice is facing you as you stare through the rain
A choice is facing you but I choose to refrain for today
Tomorrow we'll be back in trouble again

Dream one, you had a whole lot of fun with a comedian
Stop short of going all the way, you'll have to make it someday

Why is this happening to you, you're not a child?
Why is this happening? You've too much on your mind
Things creep up on you when you are fast asleep
You are dreaming, you are sleepy
You are stuck to the sheets

In a town so small there's no escaping you
In a town so small there's no escape from view
In a town so small there's nothing left to do
Intellectual and perspiring
Dirty dream number two

Dream two you couldn't see her face, but you saw everything else
Dream two was pretty special, easily beats loving yourself

Could you put a name to someone elses sigh?
Could you put a face to someone elses eyes?
Is it someone that you'd maybe recognise?
But it all fades into morning when you open your eyes

It's been a bloody stupid day
My baby called me up to say
Don't call me love, don't call me
It's not all she said
I truly love her but I know
I'm bad for her, I'm bad and so
At least she may forgive me for my honesty
My friend came back from being abroad
He was rich and I was overawed
His ship came in
I'm standing on the harbour wall
Another friend, the one I love
Turns to me "Have you seen enough?"
"Let's hang about
There's nothing like a sunset"
It's been a bloody stupid day
Don't leave the light on baby
My baby called me up to say
Don't leave the light on baby
I'll see you sometime maybe
Don't leave the light on baby
It finally dawned on me tonight
Best to go down without a fight
I know you will forgive me for my honesty

Ease you're feet off in the sea
My darling it's the place to be
Take your shoes off curl your toes
And I will frame this moment in time
Troubles come and troubles go
The trouble that we've come to know
Will stay with us till we get old
Will stay with us till somebody decides to go
Decides to go

Soberly, without regret, 1 make another sandwich
And I fill my face, 1 know that things have got to you
But what can 1 do?
Suddenly, without a warning
On a pale blue morning
You decide your time is wearing thin
A conscious choice to let yourself go dangling
Hovering
It's an emergency
There's no more "wait and see"

Maybe if I shut my eves
Your trouble will be split between us
People come and people go
You're scouring everybodies face
For some small flicker of the truth
To what it is that you are going through, my boy
I left you dry
The signs were clear that you were not going anywhere
Anywhere
Save for a falling down
Everything's going wrong

Later on, as I walked home
The plough was showing, and orion
1 could see the house where you lived
I could see the house where you gave
All your time and sanity to people
Then you waited for the people to acknowledge you
They spoke in turn
But their eyes would pass over you
Over you
Who's seeing you at all?
Who's seeing You at all?

Ease you're feet off in the sea
My darling it's the place to be
Take your shoes off curl your toes
And I will frame this moment in time
Troubles come and troubles go
The trouble that we've come to know
Will stay with us till we get old
Will stay with us till
somebody decides to go
Decides to go

Soberly without regret
make another sandwich
And I fill my face
know that things have got to you
But what can do
Suddenly without a warning
On a pale blue morning
You decide your time is wearing thin
A conscious choice to let yourself
go dangling
Hovering
It's an emergency
There's no more wait and see

Maybe if I shut my eves
Your trouble will be split between us
People come and people go
You're scouring everybodies face
For some small flicker of the truth
To what it is that
you are going through my boy
I left you dry
The signs were clear that you
were not going anywhere
Anywhere
Save for a falling down
Save for a falling down
Anywhere
Anywhere
Save for a falling down
Everything's going wrong

Later on as I walked home
The plough was showing and orion
I could see the house where you lived
I could see the house where you gave
All your time and sanity to people
Then you waited for the people
to acknowledge you
They spoke in turn
But their eyes would pass over you
Over you
Who's seeing you at all
Who's seeing You at all

Play a game with your electronics
Take a step to the discotheque, and people
Go outside where there's someone watching cars go
by And the city tall with steeples
Hand in hand with the Electronic
Renaissance is the way to go
Hand in hand with the Electronic
Renaissance is the way to go, boy
Hand in hand with the Electronic
Renaissance is the way to go
You're learning, soon you will do
the things you wanted
Since you were wearing glitter badges
If you work for much very longer
You'll be known as the boy who's always working
If you dance for much very longer
You'll be known as the boy who's always dancing
Monochrome in the 1990's You go disco and
I'll go my way Monochrome in the 1990's
You go disco and
I'll go my way Monochromein the 1990's
You go disco and
I'll go Funkadelic, man
Is the way to go
So drop a pill and then say hello

I've been feeling down
I've been looking round the town
For somebody just like me
But the only ones I see
Are the dummies in the window
They spend their money on clothes
It saddens me to think
That the only ones I see are mannequins
Looking stupid, being used and being thin
And I don't know why I hang around with them
The way they act, I'd rather be fat than be confused
The way they act, I'd rather be fat than be confused
Than be me in a cage
With a bottle of rage
And a family like the mafia
I've been feeling blue
And I don't know what to do
And I never get a thrill
And they threw me out of school
'Cause I swore at all the teachers
Because they never teach us
A thing I want to know
We do Chemistry, Biology and Maths
I want Poetry and Music and some laughs
And I don't think it's an awful lot to ask
So won't you please get up off your knees, and let me go
So won't you please get up off your knees, and let me go
Cause I'm here in a cage
With a bottle of rage
And a family like the mafia
If my family tree goes back to the Romans
Then I will change my name to Jones
If my family tree goes back to Napolean
Then I will change my name to Smith
If my family tree goes back to the Romans
Then I will change my name to Jones
If you're looking at me to be an accountant
Then you will look but you will never see
If you're looking at me to start having babies
Then you can wish because I'm not here to fool around
You can wish because I'm not here to fool around
You can wish because I'm not here to fool around

I could be dreaming I could have

ordinary people chasing me from town

to town Mission Impossible They've

got a spy for every blink of your

eye I'm feeling hunted I'm feeling

haunted They've got a knife for

every time you take the same train

into work A family's like a loaded

gun You point it in the wrong direction

someone's going to get killed If

you had such a dream Would you get

up and do the things you've been

dreaming Is he your husband? Or

just your boyfriend? Is he the moron

who's been beating you and keeping

you inside? I've never done this

kind of thing But if I kill him

now, who's going to miss him? I

went up to the school I went up

Castlehill For every step there

is a local boy who wants to be a

hero Do you want to do it now? Outside

the butchers with a knife and a bike chain

I don't love anyone
You're not listening
You're playing with something
You're playing with yourself
I don't love anyone
You're not listening even now
You're playing with someone
You're playing with someone else
And if there's one thing that
I learned when I was a child
It's to take a hiding

I don't love anything
Not even Christmas
Especially not that
I don't love anything
No, I don't love anyone
Maybe my sister Maybe
my baby brother too
yeah I don't love anyone
But if there's one thing that
I learned when I was still a child
It's to take a hiding Yeah
if there's one thing that
I learned when I was still at school
It's to be alone
Out in the street today
The kids are playing
having fun I pass them by
I'm not a kid, no I don't love anyone
I met a man today
He told me something pretty strange
There's always somebody
saying something
He said, "The world is as soft as lace."
But I don't love anyone

I fought in a war and I left my friends behind me
To go looking for the enemy, and it wasn't very long
Before I would stand with another boy in front of me
And a corpse that just fell into me, with the bullets flying round
And I reminded myself of the words you said when we
were getting on
And I bet you're making shells back home for a steady boy to wear
Round his neck, well it won't hurt to think of you
as if you're waiting for
This letter to arrive because I'll be here quite a while
I fought in a war and I left my friends behind me
To go looking for the enemy, and it wasn't very long
Before I found out that the sickness there ahead of me
Went beyond the bedsit infamy of the decade gone before
And I reminded myself of the words you said when we
were getting on
And I bet you're making shells back home for a steady man to wear
Round his neck, well it won't hurt to think of you
as if you're waiting for
This letter to arrive because I'll be here quite a while
I fought in a war, and I didn't know where it would end
It stretched before me infinitely, I couldn't really think
Of the day beyond now, keep your head down pal
There's trouble plenty in this hour, this day
I can see hope I can see light
And I reminded myself of the looks you gave when we
were getting on
And I bet you're making shells back home for a steady man to wear
Round his neck, well it won't hurt to think of you
as if you're waiting for
This letter to arrive because I'll be here quite a while

I'm glad to see you
I had a funny dream
You were wearing funny shoes
You were going to a dance
You wrer dressed like a punk
but you are too young to remember
Glad to see you
I'm outside the house
I'm not thinking well today
I've got no energy
I'm glad that you are waiting with me
Tell me all about your day
Breaking off is misery
I see a wilderness for you and me
Punctuated by philosophy
And a wondering how things could've been
I'm happy for you
You've made it hard for me
I counted on your company
You are staying with your friends tonight
I'm feeling sorry for myself
I keep taking everything to be a sign
I'm happy for you
Now I konw this hurt is poison
Too sharp to be bled
I'm sitting on my empty bed
On my empty bed
At night the fever grows it's pounding pounding
I'd rather be in Tokyo
I'd rather listen to Thin Lizzy-oh
Watch the sunday gang in Harajuku
There's something wrong with me I'm a cuckoo

Scary moment, lovin' every moment
I was high from playig shows
We lost singer to her clothes
My trouble raised its ugly head
I was revealed
And I was home in bed
I was a kid again
Jesus told me,
go after every coin like it was the last in the world
And protect the wayward child
But I'm a little lost sheep
I need my Bo Peep
I know I need my shepherd here tonight
Breaking off is misery
I see a wilderness for you and me
Punctuated by philosophy
And a wondring how things could've been

I'd like to see you
But really I should stay away
And let you settle down
I've got no claims to your crown
I was the boss of you
And I loved you
You konw I loved you
It's all over now
I was there for you
When you are lonely
I was there when you were bad
I was there when you were sad
Now it's my time of need
I'm thinking, do I have to plead to get you by my side?
I'd rather be in Tokyo
I'd rather listen to Thuin Lizzy-oh
Watch the Sunday gang in Harajuku
There's something wrong with me, I'm a cuckoo

I'm glad to see you
I had a funny dream
You were wearing funny shoes
You were going to a dance
You wrer dressed like a punk
but you are too young to remember
Glad to see you
I'm outside the house
I'm not thinking well today
I've got no energy
I'm glad that you are waiting with me
Tell me all about your day
Breaking off is misery
I see a wilderness for you and me
Punctuated by philosophy
And a wondering how things could've been
I'm happy for you
You've made it hard for me
I counted on your company
You are staying with your friends tonight
I'm feeling sorry for myself
I keep taking everything to be a sign
I'm happy for you
Now I konw this hurt is poison
Too sharp to be bled
I'm sitting on my empty bed
On my empty bed
At night the fever grows it's pounding pounding
I'd rather be in Tokyo
I'd rather listen to Thin Lizzy-oh
Watch the sunday gang in Harajuku
There's something wrong with me I'm a cuckoo

Scary moment, lovin' every moment
I was high from playig shows
We lost singer to her clothes
My trouble raised its ugly head
I was revealed
And I was home in bed
I was a kid again
Jesus told me,
go after every coin like it was the last in the world
And protect the wayward child
But I'm a little lost sheep
I need my Bo Peep
I know I need my shepherd here tonight
Breaking off is misery
I see a wilderness for you and me
Punctuated by philosophy
And a wondring how things could've been

I'd like to see you
But really I should stay away
And let you settle down
I've got no claims to your crown
I was the boss of you
And I loved you
You konw I loved you
It's all over now
I was there for you
When you are lonely
I was there when you were bad
I was there when you were sad
Now it's my time of need
I'm thinking, do I have to plead to get you by my side?
I'd rather be in Tokyo
I'd rather listen to Thuin Lizzy-oh
Watch the Sunday gang in Harajuku
There's something wrong with me, I'm a cuckoo

I'm glad to see you
I had a funny dream
You were wearing funny shoes
You were going to a dance
You wrer dressed like a punk
but you are too young to remember
Glad to see you
I'm outside the house
I'm not thinking well today
I've got no energy
I'm glad that you are waiting with me
Tell me all about your day
Breaking off is misery
I see a wilderness for you and me
Punctuated by philosophy
And a wondering how things could've been
I'm happy for you
You've made it hard for me
I counted on your company
You are staying with your friends tonight
I'm feeling sorry for myself
I keep taking everything to be a sign
I'm happy for you
Now I konw this hurt is poison
Too sharp to be bled
I'm sitting on my empty bed
On my empty bed
At night the fever grows it's pounding pounding
I'd rather be in Tokyo
I'd rather listen to Thin Lizzy-oh
Watch the sunday gang in Harajuku
There's something wrong with me I'm a cuckoo

Scary moment, lovin' every moment
I was high from playig shows
We lost singer to her clothes
My trouble raised its ugly head
I was revealed
And I was home in bed
I was a kid again
Jesus told me,
go after every coin like it was the last in the world
And protect the wayward child
But I'm a little lost sheep
I need my Bo Peep
I know I need my shepherd here tonight
Breaking off is misery
I see a wilderness for you and me
Punctuated by philosophy
And a wondring how things could've been

I'd like to see you
But really I should stay away
And let you settle down
I've got no claims to your crown
I was the boss of you
And I loved you
You konw I loved you
It's all over now
I was there for you
When you are lonely
I was there when you were bad
I was there when you were sad
Now it's my time of need
I'm thinking, do I have to plead to get you by my side?
I'd rather be in Tokyo
I'd rather listen to Thuin Lizzy-oh
Watch the Sunday gang in Harajuku
There's something wrong with me, I'm a cuckoo

If she wants me

I wrote a letter on a nothing day
I asked somebody “Could you send my letter away?”
“You are too young to put all of your hopes in just one envelope”
I said goodbye to someone that I love
It’s not just me, I tell you it’s the both of us
And it was hard
Like coming off the pills that you take to stay happy

Someone above has seen me do alright
Someone above is looking with a tender eye
Upon her face, you may think you’re alone but you may think again

If I could do just one near perfect thing I’d be happy
They’d write it on my grave, or when they scattered
my ashes
On second thoughts I’d rather hang about and be there with my best friend
If she wants me

And far away somebody read the letter
He condescends to read the words I wrote about him
And if he smiles, it’s no more than a genius deserves
For all his curious nerve and his passion

I’m going deaf, you’re growing melancholy
Things fall apart, I don’t know why we bother at all
But life is good and “It’s always worth living at least for
a while”

If I could do just one near perfect thing I’d be happy
They’d write it on my grave, or when they scattered
my ashes
On second thoughts I’d rather hang about and be there with my best friend
If she wants me

If you think to yourself “What should I do now?”
Then take the baton, girl, you better run with it
There is no point in standing in the past cause it’s over and done with

I took a book and went into the forest
I climbed the hill, I wanted to look down on you
But all I saw was twenty miles of wilderness so I went home

If you find yourself caught in love
Say a prayer to the man above
Thank him for everything you know
You should thank him for every breath you blow

If you find yourself caught in love
Say a prayer to the man above
You should thank him for every day you pass
Thank him for saving your sorry ass

If you’re single, but looking out
You must raise your prayer to a shout
Another partner must be found
Someone to take your life beyond
Another TV “I Love 1999”
Just one more box of cheapo wine

If you find yourself caught in love
You should say a prayer to the man above

If you don’t listen to the voices then my friend
You’ll soon run out of choices
What a pity it would be
You talk of freedom don’t you see
The only freedom that you’ll ever really know
Is written in books from long ago
Give up your will to Him that loves you
Things will change, I’m not saying overnight
But something has to give
You’re too good looking not to live

If you find yourself out of love
Shed a tear for the one you love
Tell your boss that you’ve gone away
Down your tools for a holiday
If you’re going off to war then I wish you well
But don’t be sore
If I cheer the other team
Killing people’s not my scene
I prefer to give the inhabitants a say
Before you blow their town away
I like to watch them play
I like to marvel at the random beauty of a simple village girl
Why should she be the one who’s killed? If you find yourself caught in love...

Anthony walked to his death because he thought he'd never feel this way again
If he goes back to the house then things would go from bad to worse, what could he do?
He wants to remember things exactly as he left them on that Wednesday
And if there is something else beyond, he isn't scared because
It's bound to be less boring than today
It's bound to be less boring than tomorrow

Hilary walked to her death because she couldn't think of anything to say
Everybody thought that she was boring, so they never listened anyway
Nobody was really saying anything of interest, she fell asleep
She was into S&M and bible studies
Not everyone's cup of tea she would admit to me
Her cup of tea, she would admit to no one
Her cup of tea, she would admit to me
Oh but her cup of tea, she would admit to no one

Hilary went to the Catholic Church because she wanted information
The vicar, or whatever, took her to one side and gave her confirmation
Saint Theresa's calling her, the church up on the hill is looking lovely
But it doesn't interest, the only things she wants to know is
How and why and when and where to go
How and why and when and where to follow
How and why and when and where to go
How and why and when and where to follow

But if you are feeling sinister
Go off and see a minister
He'll try in vain to take away the pain of being a hopeless unbeliever

When she got back, her spirituality was thrown into confusion
So she got a special deal on renting
From the man at Rediffusion
"Look at me! I'm on TV
It makes up for the shortcomings of being poor
Now I'm in a million pieces", picked up for deliberation
By the people listening at home
By the people watching on the telly
By the people listening at home
By the people watching on the telly

But if you are feeling sinister
Go off and see a minister
Chances are you'll probably feel better
If you stayed and played with yourse

Is it wicked not to care
when they say that you're mistaken
Thinking hopes and lots of dreams
that aren't there
Is it wicked not to care
when you've wasted many hours
Talking endlessly to anyone
that's there
I know the truth awaits me
But still I hesitate because of fear
Skipping tickets making rhymes
Is that all that you believe in
Wearing rags to make you pretty
by design
Rusting armour for effect
It's not fun to watch the rust grow
For it will all be over
when you're dead

Counting acts and clutching thoughts
By the river where the moss grows
Over rocks the water running
all the time
Is it wicked when you smile
Even though you feel like crying
Even though you
could be sick at any time
But if there was a sequel
Would you love me as an equal
Would you love me till I'm dead

If there was a sequel
Would you love me like an equal
Would you love me till
I'm dead
and if there was a sequel
Would you love me as an equal
Would you love me till I'm dead
Or is there someone else instead

Is it wicked not to care when they say that you're mistaken
Thinking hopes and lots of dreams that aren't there?
Is it wicked not to care when you've wasted many hours
Talking endlessly to anyone that's there?

I know the truth awaits me
But still I hesitate because of fear

Skipping tickets making rhymes
Is that all that you believe in?
Wearing rags to make you pretty by design
Rusting armour for effect
It's not fun to watch the rust grow
For it will all be over when you're dead

Counting acts and clutching thoughts
By the river where the moss grows
Over rocks the water running all the time
Is it wicked when you smile Even though you feel like crying
Even though you could be sick at any time?

But if there was a sequel
Would you love me as an equal?
Would you love me till I'm dead

If there was a sequel Would you love me like an equal?
Would you love me till I'm dead
And if there was a sequel
Would you love me as an equal?
Would you love me till I'm dead
Or is there someone else instead?

He had stroke at the age of 24
It could have been a brilliant career
Painting lines in a school that was too well known
Painting lines with a friend that had gone before
She challenged everyone to a fight
But the prefects all backed down
And they ran her out of town
Cause she drank and swore and spoke
Out of turn, she was the village joke

She had a stroke at the age of 24
It could have been a brilliant career
Getting clients to finance her strategies
Filling time in on Safeways on Saturday
She wears the clothes of an emperor
But her paintings are a sham
And they're going for a grand
When the dealers come to view
Do they ever see the real you?

He had a stroke at the age of 24
It could have been a brilliant career
Selling lies the boys with the old Dansettes
Pulling the wool, playing the fol, it's no wonder that
He is dribbling spit tonight
And the one he sent away
Was the only one who stayed
With a spoon and a decent book
And you can tell by the way she looks
She is sorry and resigned
As he wets himself for the final time

It could have been a brilliant career
Painting lines in a school that was too well known
Painting lines with a friend that had gone before
She challenged everyone to a fight
But the prefects all backed down
And they ran her out of town
Cause she drank and swore and spoke
Out of turn, she was the village joke

She had a stroke at the age of 24
It could have been a brilliant career
Getting clients to finance her strategies
Filling time in on Safeways on Saturday
She wears the clothes of an emperor
But her paintings are a sham
And they`re going for a grand
When the dealers come to view
Do they ever see the real you?

He had a stroke at the age of 24
It could have been a brilliant career
Selling lies to the boys with the old Dansettes
Pulling the wool, playing the fool,
it`s no wonder that
He is dribbling spit tonight
And the one he sent away
Was the only one who stayed
With a spoon and a decent book
And you can tell by the way she looks
he is sorry and resigned
As he wets himself for the final time

Judy wrote the saddest song
She showed it to a boy in school today
Judy, where did you go wrong?
You used to make me smile when I was down
Judy was a teenage rebel
She did it with a boy when she was young
She gave herself to books and learning
She gave herself to being number one
Judy, I don't know you if you're gonna show me everything
Judy, I don't know you if you're gonna show me everything

Judy got a book at school
She went under the cover with her torch
She fell asleep till it was morning
She dreamt about the girl who stole a horse
Judy never felt so good except when she was sleeping
Judy never felt so good except when she was sleeping

Judy, let's go for a walk
We can kiss and whatever you want
But you will be disappointed
You will asleep with ants in your pants
Judy, you're just trying to find and keep the dream of horses
And the song she wrote was Judy and the Dream of Horses
Dream of Horses
You dream of horses

The best looking boys are taken
The best looking boys are staying inside
So Judy, where does that leave you?
Walking the street from morning to night
With a star upon your shoulder lighting up the path that you walk
With a parrot on your shoulder, saying everything when you talk
If you're ever feeling blue
Then write another song about your dream of horses
Write a song about your dream of horses
Call it Judy And The Dream Of Horses
Call it Judy And The Dream Of Horses
You dream of horses

Working the village shop
Putting a poster up
Dreaming of anything
Dreaming of the time
when you are free from all the trouble you're in

In the mud, on your knees
Trying hard not to please
Anyone, all the time
Being a rebel's fine
But you go all the way to being brutal

You will have a boy tonight
You will have a boy tonight
On the first bus out of town
On the first bus out of town

Let's see your kit for games
All the girls look the same
You are challenging style for running miles
You're running miles in some boys jumper

Boo to the business world!
You know a girl who's tax free on her back and making
Plenty cash
While you are working for the joy of giving

You will have a boy tonight
You will have a boy tonight
And you hope that she will see
And you hope that she will see

You will have a boy tonight
Or maybe you will have a girl tonight
And you hope that she will see
And you hope that she will see

You are in two minds
Tossing a coin to decide whether you should tell your mum
About a dose of thrush you got while you were licking railings

But you read in a book
That you got free in Boots
There are lotions, there are potions
You can take to hide your shame from all those prying eyes

Lazy Jane, all the time
Painting lines
You are sleeping at bus stops
Wondering how you got your name
And what you're going to do about it

You will have a boy tonight
You will have a boy tonight
And you hope that she will see
And you hope that she will see

L-O-V-E love, it's coming back, it's coming back
L-O-V-E love, it's coming back, it's coming back
Refer to our discussions, confirm the terms of our love affair
I exercise all options, and I know I'll see you there
BA-BA-BA etc. etc.
L-O-V-E love, it's coming back, it's coming back
L-O-V-E love, it's coming back, it's coming back
Not withstanding provisions of clauses 1,2,3 and 4
Extend contractual period, me and you for evermore
You're the Legal Man, you've got to prove that you're no liar
I'll render services that you may reasonably require
L-O-V-E love, it's coming back, it's coming back
L-O-V-E love, it's coming back, it's coming back
Get out of the city and into the sunshine
Get out of the office and into the springtime
Get out of the city and into the sunshine
Get out of the office and into the springtime
Get out of the city and into the sunshine
Get out of the office and into the springtime
Get out of the city and into the sunshine
Get out of the office and into the springtime

L-O-V-E love, it's coming back, it's coming back
L-O-V-E love, it's coming back, it's coming back
Refer to our discussions, confirm the terms of our love affair
I exercise all options, and I know I'll see you there
BA-BA-BA etc. etc.
L-O-V-E love, it's coming back, it's coming back
L-O-V-E love, it's coming back, it's coming back
Not withstanding provisions of clauses 1,2,3 and 4
Extend contractual period, me and you for evermore
You're the Legal Man, you've got to prove that you're no liar
I'll render services that you may reasonably require
L-O-V-E love, it's coming back, it's coming back
L-O-V-E love, it's coming back, it's coming back
Get out of the city and into the sunshine
Get out of the office and into the springtime
Get out of the city and into the sunshine
Get out of the office and into the springtime
Get out of the city and into the sunshine
Get out of the office and into the springtime
Get out of the city and into the sunshine
Get out of the office and into the springtime

Anthony, bullied at school
Get your own back, now you are cool
Or are you scared?
Bunking off though you’re a toff
It’s all gone wrong again, you’ve got double maths
And the teacher’s got no control so
The boys will run riot, you will stay quiet
Or you will die

Tony at the back of the gym
Smoke another one, your chances are slim
‘Cos here they come again
And they got you on the ground
Tasting blood again, at least it’s your own
When will you realise that it never pays
To be smarter than teachers
Smarter than most boys?
Shut your mouth, start kicking the football
Bang on the teeth, you’re off for a week boy

You may as well take it in the guts - it can’t get worse
Take it in the guts - it can’t get worse that this
You’ll soon be old enough to leave them
And without a notion of a care
You’ll lift two fingers in the air to linger there

Tony, you’re a bit of a mess
Melted Toblerone under your dress
And if the boys could see you they would pass you right bye
Blue mascara running over your eye
When will you realise that it never pays
To be smarter than teachers
Smarter than most boys?
Shut your mouth, start kicking the football
Bang on the teeth, you’re off for a week boy

They call you Lord Anthony
But hey - it could be worse than
Lord Anthony, but hey - it could be worse than
Lord Anthony, but hey - it kind of suits you anyway
You’ll soon be old enough to leave them
And without a notion of a care
You’ll lift two fingers in the air to linger there

Mary Jo, sitting alone Drinking
tea, she just got home She wants,
I don't know what you want Mary
Jo, living alone Drinking gin with
the telly on She wants The night
to follow day and back again She
doesn't want to sleep Well who could
blame her if she wants? The night
to follow day and back again She
doesn't want to sleep Well who could
blame her, if she sleeps? Well who
could blame her, if she sleeps? Well
who could blame her, if she's sleeping? Mary
Jo, back with yourself For company,
keep telling yourself you're young It'll
happen soon Mary Jo, no one can
see What you've been through Now
you've got love to burn It's someone
else's turn to go through Hell Now
you can see them come from twenty
yards Yeah you can tell It's someone
else's turn to take a fall And now
you are the one who's strong enough
to help them The one who's strong
enough to help them The one who's
strong enough to help them all Mary
Jo, you're looking thin You're reading
a book, "The State I Am In" But
oh, it doesn't help at all What
you want is a cigarette And a thespian
with a caravanette in Hull Because
life is never dull in your dreams A
pity that it never seems to work
the way you see it Life is never
dull in your dreams A sorry tale
of action and the men you left for Women,
and the men you left for Intrigue,
and the men you left for dead

You know my wandering days are over
Does that mean that I'm getting boring?
You tell me I'm tired of listening to myself
now I'm tired of fixing things for
Michael and the rest of them
You know my bip-bopping days are over
I hung my boots up and then retired
from the disco floor
Now the centre of my so called being is
The space between your bed
and wardrobe with the louvre doors louvre doors

I said "My celibate days are over"
You put me straight on the finer
points of my speech rehearsed
In the mirror of my steamy bathroom
Where the lino tells a
sorry story in a monologue monologue

* Six months on, the winter's gone
The disenchanted pony
Left the town with the circus boy
The circus boy got lonely
It's summer, and it's sister song's
Been written for the lonely
The circus boy is feeling melancholy melancholy

It's got to be fate that's doing it
A spooky witch in a sexy dress
has been bugging me
With the story of the way
it should be With the story of
Sebastian and Belle the singer
I said "My one man band is over"
I hit the drum for the final time
and I walked away
I sew you in Japanese restaurant
You were doing it for business men on
the piano, Belle
You said it was a living Hell
You said that it was Hell

* Repeat

* Repeat

Nice day for a sulk
The girl smells of milk
Her horsey teeth explode around us
And we run for cover she found us
In the cheapo bar with a bag of chips
Nice day for a mood
The forecast is good
The kids are melting in the doorway
Keep the gang together
There's no way will you ever be misunderstood by me
Nice day for a jam
The Fall, Manfred Mann
Dance party, summer lasts forever
When the band's together and Bobby
Drank too much and fell in the Clyde

Elope with me Miss Private and we’ll sail around the world
I will be your Ferdinand and you my wayward girl
How many nights of talking in hotel rooms can you take?
How many nights of limping round on pagan holidays?
Oh elope with me in private and we’ll set something ablaze
A trail for the devil to erase
San Francisco’s calling us, the Giants and Mets will play
Piazza, New York catcher, are you straight or are you gay?
We hung about the stadium, we’ve got no place to stay
We hung about the tenderloin and tenderly you tell
About the saddest ending of a book you ever had to read
The statue’s crying too and well he may
I love you I’ve a drowning grip on your adoring face
I love you my responsibility has found a place
Beside you and strong warnings in the guise of gentle words
Come wave upon me from the wider family net absurd
“You’ll take care of her, I know it, you will do a better job”
Maybe, but not what she deserves
Elope with me Miss Private and we’ll drink ourselves awake
We’ll taste the coffee houses and award certificates
A privy seal to keep the feel of 1960 style
We’ll comment on the decor and we’ll help the passer by
And at dusk when work is over we’ll continue the debate
In a borrowed bedroom virginal and spare
The catcher hits for .318 and catches every day
The pitcher puts religion first and rests on holidays
He goes into cathedrals and lies prostrate on the floor
He knows the drink affects
his speed he’s praying for a doorway
Back into the life he wants and the confession of the bench
Life outside the diamond is a wrench
I wish that you were here with me to pass the dull weekend
I know it wouldn’t come to love, my heroine pretend
A lady stepping from the songs we love until this day
You’d settle for an epitaph like “Walk Away, Renee”
The sun upon the roof in winter will draw you out like a flower
Meet you at the statue in an hour
Meet you at the statue in an hour

Elope with me Miss Private and we’ll sail around the world
I will be your Ferdinand and you my wayward girl
How many nights of talking in hotel rooms can you take?
How many nights of limping round on pagan holidays?
Oh elope with me in private and we’ll set something ablaze
A trail for the devil to erase
San Francisco’s calling us, the Giants and Mets will play
Piazza, New York catcher, are you straight or are you gay?
We hung about the stadium, we’ve got no place to stay
We hung about the tenderloin and tenderly you tell
About the saddest ending of a book you ever had to read
The statue’s crying too and well he may
I love you I’ve a drowning grip on your adoring face
I love you my responsibility has found a place
Beside you and strong warnings in the guise of gentle words
Come wave upon me from the wider family net absurd
“You’ll take care of her, I know it, you will do a better job”
Maybe, but not what she deserves
Elope with me Miss Private and we’ll drink ourselves awake
We’ll taste the coffee houses and award certificates
A privy seal to keep the feel of 1960 style
We’ll comment on the decor and we’ll help the passer by
And at dusk when work is over we’ll continue the debate
In a borrowed bedroom virginal and spare
The catcher hits for .318 and catches every day
The pitcher puts religion first and rests on holidays
He goes into cathedrals and lies prostrate on the floor
He knows the drink affects
his speed he’s praying for a doorway
Back into the life he wants and the confession of the bench
Life outside the diamond is a wrench
I wish that you were here with me to pass the dull weekend
I know it wouldn’t come to love, my heroine pretend
A lady stepping from the songs we love until this day
You’d settle for an epitaph like “Walk Away, Renee”
The sun upon the roof in winter will draw you out like a flower
Meet you at the statue in an hour
Meet you at the statue in an hour

Like a fresh manifestation of an old phenomenon
A breeze whips through the trees
The rustling leaves and branches bend together
they’re cued to sway
forever by the forces of the Lord’s choreography

Just for a second the combination of sights, sounds
around him
sends him hurtling back to the mirror of all of his teenager thoughts and fears
He passes big houses and family cars
they saddled the horses in cobblestone yards
He catches the moon looking down from the stars
Just like it’s done for years and years

Perpetual feeling in the grown up world that’s all
around him
that there’s secrets that could be revealed with knowledge and philosophy
And “Oh to be dumb, Oh to be smart”
He might be nursing a broken heart
but feeling this way he’s just playing a part
that’s been around for centuries

I wandered all night, I wondered all night about you
I’ve been here for years just wandering around the neighbourhood

Seymour Stein I've been lonely
I caught a glimpse of someones face
It was mine and I'd been crying
Half a world away
Ticket for a plane
Record company man
I won't be coming to dinner
My thoughts are far away
I'm working on that day
North Country girl
1 think she's going to stay
Promises of fame promises of fortune
LA to New York San Francisco
back to Boston
Has he ever seen Dundee
Won't he hire a limousine
Seymour bring her back to me

I heard dinner went well
You liked Chris's jacket
He reminded you of Johnny
Before he went Electronic
Seymour Stein sorry I missed you
Have a nice flight home
It's a good day for flying
Seymour Stein Seymour Stein
Seymour Stein Seymour Stein

Seymour Stein- I've been lonely
I caught a glimpse of someones face
It was mine and I'd been crying

Half a world away
Ticket for a plane
Record company man
I won't be coming to dinner

My thoughts are far away
I'm working on that day
North Country girl
1 think she's going to stay

Promises of fame, promises of fortune
LA to New York- San Francisco back to Boston
Has he ever seen Dundee?
Won't he hire a limousine?
Seymour send her back to me

I heard dinner went well
You liked Chris's jacket
He reminded you of Johnny
Before he went Electronic

Seymour Stein- sorry I missed you
Have a nice flight home
It's a good day for flying

if you want me I'll be there a boy
to deal with all your problems but part of the deal
is for you to feel something
if you want me look me up I don't
exist in usual places
subtle as the wind is grey

if you want you know where I am
I saw your arms in a dream
and there were blue veins blue
blue veins if you want me all you have to do
is ask a thousand questions
triplicate and file under
simple things you ask to make a young boy sigh
young boy sigh
young boy sigh

if you want me I'll be there
a boy to deal with all your problems
but part of the deal
is for you to feel something
if you want me look me up
I don't exist in usual places
subtle as the wind is grey
if you want you know where I am
I saw your arms in a dream
and there were blue veins blue
blue veins
if you want me all you have to do
is ask a thousand questions
triplicate and file under
"simple things you ask to make a young boy sigh"
young boy sigh
young boy sigh

And the moment will come when composure returns
Put a face on the world, turn your back to the wall
And you walk twenty yards with your head in the air
Down the Liberty Hill, where the fashion brigade
Look with curious eyes on your raggedy way
And for once in your life you have nothing to say
And could this be the time when somebody will come
To say, Look at yourself, you're not much use to anyone
Take a walk in the park, take a valium pill
Read the letter you got from the memory girl
But it takes more than this to make sense of the day
Yeah it takes more than milk to get rid of the taste
And you trusted to this, and you trusted to that
And when you saw it all come, it was waving the flag
Of the United States of Calamity, hey!
After all that you've done boy, Im sure you're going to pay

In the morning you come to the ladies salon
To get all fitted out for The Paperback Throne
But the people are living far away from the place
Where you wanted to help, it's a bit of a waste
And the puzzle will last till somebody will say
There's a lot to be done while your head is still young
If you put down your pen, leave your worries behind
Then the moment will come, and the memory will shine
Now the trouble is over, everybody got paid

Everybody is happy, they are glad that they came
Then you go to the place where you've finally found
You can look at yourself sleep the clock around

And the moment will come when composure returns
Put a face on the world, turn your back to the wall
And you walk twenty yards with your head in the air
Down the Liberty Hill, where the fashion brigade
Look with curious eyes on your raggedy to say
And for once in your life you have nothing to say
And could this be the time when somebody will come
To say, "Look at yourself, you're not much use to anyone"

Take a walk in the park, take a valium pill
Read the letter you got from the memory girl
But it takes more than this to make sense of the day
Yeah it takes more than milk to get rid lf the taste
And you trusted to this, and you trusted to that
And when you saw it all come, it was waving the flag
Of the United States of Calmity, hey!
After all that you've done boy, I'm sure you're going to pay

In the morning you come to the ladies salon
To get all fitted out for The Paperback Throne
But the people are living far away from the place
Where you wanted to help, it's a bit of a waste
And the puzzle will last till somebody will say
"There's a lot to be done while your head is still young"
If you put down your pen, leave your worries behind
Then the moment will come, and the memory will shine

Now the trouble is over, everybody got paid
Everbody is happy, they are glad that they came
Then you go to the place where you're finally found
You can look at yourself, sleep the clock around

There's a portrait
In a back room
Which I keep for days upon
Which I relent
And gaze for hours on
The muscle, skin and bone of some
Imaginary friend.

So how about it?
Show me please how I
Will look in twenty years
And let me please
Interpret history
In every line and scar
That's painted there in front of me.

It doesn't matter what I'm thinking
What I tell myself to do
I'll end up calling.

I stay in to defrost the fridge
Now the kid has gone to bed
A feeling of dread
At least when she's around
The trouble's there
It's worse to wake up with her
Falling round the room.

Listen Johnny, you're like a mother
To the girl you've fallen for,
And you're still falling

Listen Johnny, you're like a mother
To the girl you've fallen for,
And you're still falling

And if they come tonight
You'll roll up tight
And take whatever's coming to you next

There's a portrait
In a back room
Which I keep for days upon
Which I relent
And gaze for hours on
The muscle, skin and bone of some
Imaginary friend.

So how about it?
Show me please how I
Will look in twenty years
And let me please
Interpret history
In every line and scar
That's painted there in front of me.

It doesn't matter what I'm thinking
What I tell myself to do
I'll end up calling.

I stay in to defrost the fridge
Now the kid has gone to bed
A feeling of dread
At least when she's around
The trouble's there
It's worse to wake up with her
Falling round the room.

Listen Johnny, you're like a mother
To the girl you've fallen for,
And you're still falling

Listen Johnny, you're like a mother
To the girl you've fallen for,
And you're still falling

And if they come tonight
You'll roll up tight
And take whatever's coming to you next