Disc 1 | ||||||
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1. |
| 2:51 | ||||
Don't want to be a fat man
People would think that I was just good fun, man Would rather be a thin man I am so glad to go on being one, man Too much to carry around with you No chance of finding a woman, who Will love you in the morning and all the nighttime too Don't want to be a fat man Have not the patience to ignore all that Hate to admit to myself I thought my problems came from being fat Won't waste my time feeling sorry for him I've seen the other side to being thin Roll us both down a mountain and I'm sure the fat man would win |
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2. |
| 3:17 | ||||
3. |
| 1:20 | ||||
On Preston Platform
Do your soft shoe shuffle dance Brush away the cigarette ash That's falling down your pants And then you sadly wonder Does the nurse treat your old man The way she should? She made you tea Asked for your autograph-- What a laugh |
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4. |
| 3:50 | ||||
As I did walk by Hampstead Fair,
I came upon Mother Goose, So I turned her loose-- She was screaming. And a foreign student said to me Was it really true There are elephants, lions too, Piccadilly Circus? Walked down by the bathing pond To try and catch some sun. Saw at least a hundred school girls Sobbing into handkerchiefs as one. I don't believe they knew I was a schoolboy. And a bearded lady said to me If you start your raving And your misbehaving, You'll be sorry. And the chicken fancier came to play With his long red beard, And his sister's weird-- She drives a lorry. Laughed down by the putting green, I popped 'em in their holes. Four and twenty labourers were labouring And digging up their gold. I don't believe they knew That I was Long John Silver. Saw Johnny Scarecrow make his rounds In his jet black mac Which he won't give back-- Stole it from a snowman. As I did walk by Hampstead Fair, I came upon Mother Goose, So I turned her loose-- She was screaming. Walked down by the bathing pond To try and catch some sun. Must have been least a hundred school girls Sobbing into handkerchiefs as one. I don't believe they knew I was a schoolboy. |
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5. |
| 1:52 | ||||
Wond'ring aloud --
How we feel today. Last night sipped the sunset -- My hands in her hair. We are our own saviours As we start both our hearts beating life Into each other. Wond'ring aloud -- Will the years treat us well. As she floats in the kitchen, I'm tasting the smell Of toast as the butter runs. Then she comes, spilling crumbs on the bed And I shake my head. And it's only the giving That makes you what you are. |
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6. |
| 3:00 | ||||
Thick As A Brick
Really don't mind if you sit this one out. My words but a whisper -- your deafness a SHOUT. I may make you feel but I can't make you think. Your sperm's in the gutter -- your love's in the sink. So you ride yourselves over the fields and you make all your animal deals and your wise men don't know how it feels to be thick as a brick. And the sand-castle virtues are all swept away In the tidal destruction the moral melee. The elastic retreat rings the close of play as the last wave uncovers the newfangled way. But your new shoes are worn at the heels and your suntan does rapidly peel and your wise men don't know how it feels to be thick as a brick. And the love that I feel is so far away: I'm a bad dream that I just had today -- and you shake your head and say it's a shame. Spin me back down the years and the days of my youth. Draw the lace and black curtains and shut out the whole truth. Spin me down the long ages: let them sing the song. See there! A son is born -- and we pronounce him fit to fight. There are black-heads on his shoulders, and he pees himself in the night. We'll make a man of him put him to trade teach him to play Monopoly and not to sing in the rain. The Poet and the painter casting shadows on the water -- as the sun plays on the infantry returning from the sea. The do-er and the thinker: no allowance for the other -- as the failing light illuminates the mercenary's creed. The home fire burning: the kettle almost boiling -- but the master of the house is far away. The horses stamping -- their warm breath clouding in the sharp and frosty morning of the day. And the poet lifts his pen while the soldier sheaths his sword. And the youngest of the family Is moving with authority. Building castles by the sea, he dares the tardy tide to wash them all aside. The cattle quietly grazing at the grass down by the river where the swelling mountain water moves onward to the sea: the builder of the castles renews the age-old purpose and contemplates the milking girl whose offer is his need. The young men of the household have all gone into service and are not to be expected for a year. The innocent young master -- thoughts moving ever faster -- has formed the plan to change the man he seems. And the poet sheaths his pen while the soldier lifts his sword. And the oldest of the family Is moving with authority. Coming from across the sea, he challenges the son who puts him to the run. What do you do when the old man's gone -- do you want to be him? And your real self sings the song. Do you want to free him? No one to help you get up steam -- and the whirlpool turns you 'way off-beam. LATER. I've come down from the upper class to mend your rotten ways. My father was a man-of-power whom everyone obeyed. So come on all you criminals! I've got to put you straight just like I did with my old man -- twenty years too late. Your bread and water's going cold. Your hair is too short and neat. I'll judge you all and make damn sure that no-one judges me. You curl your toes in fun as you smile at everyone -- you meet the stares. You're unaware that your doings aren't done. And you laugh most ruthlessly as you tell us what not to be. But how are we supposed to see where we should run? I see you shuffle in the courtroom with your rings upon your fingers and your downy little sidies and your silver-buckle shoes. Playing at the hard case, you follow the example of the comic-paper idol who lets you bend the rules. So! Come on ye childhood heroes! Won't you rise up from the pages of your comic-books your super crooks and show us all the way. Well! Make your will and testament. Won't you? Join your local government. We'll have Superman for president let Robin save the day. You put your bet on number one and it comes up every time. The other kids have all backed down and they put you first in line. And so you finally ask yourself just how big you are -- and take your place in a wiser world of bigger motor cars. And you wonder who to call on. So! Where the hell was Biggles when you needed him last Saturday? And where were all the sportsmen who always pulled you though? They're all resting down in Cornwall -- writing up their memoirs for a paper-back edition of the Boy Scout Manual. LATER. See there! A man born -- and we pronounce him fit for peace. There's a load lifted from his shoulders with the discovery of his disease. We'll take the child from him put it to the test teach it to be a wise man how to fool the rest. QUOTE We will be geared to the average rather than the exceptional God is an overwhelming responsibility we walked through the maternity ward and saw 218 babies wearing nylons It says here that cats are on the upgrade upgrade? Hipgrave. Oh, Mac. LATER In the clear white circles of morning wonder, I take my place with the lord of the hills. And the blue-eyed soldiers stand slightly discoloured (in neat little rows) sporting canvas frills. With their jock-straps pinching, they slouch to attention, while queueing for sarnies at the office canteen. Saying -- how's your granny and good old Ernie: he coughed up a tenner on a premium bond win. The legends (worded in the ancient tribal hymn) lie cradled in the seagull's call. And all the promises they made are ground beneath the sadist's fall. The poet and the wise man stand behind the gun, and signal for the crack of dawn. Light the sun. Do you believe in the day? Do you? Believe in the day! The Dawn Creation of the Kings has begun. Soft Venus (lonely maiden) brings the ageless one. Do you believe in the day? Do you? Believe in the day! The fading hero has returned to the night -- and fully pregnant with the day, wise men endorse the poet's sight. Do you believe in the day? Do you? Believe in the day! Let me tell you the tales of your life of your love and the cut of the knife the tireless oppression the wisdom instilled the desire to kill or be killed. Let me sing of the losers who lie in the street as the last bus goes by. The pavements are empty: the gutters run red -- while the fool toasts his god in the sky. So come all ye young men who are building castles! Kindly state the time of the year and join your voices in a hellish chorus. Mark the precise nature of your fear. Let me help you pick up your dead as the sins of the father are fed with the blood of the fools and the thoughts of the wise and from the pan under your bed. Let me make you a present of song as the wise man breaks wind and is gone while the fool with the hour-glass is cooking his goose and the nursery rhyme winds along. So! Come all ye young men who are building castles! Kindly state the time of the year and join your voices in a hellish chorus. Mark the precise nature of your fear. See! The summer lightning casts its bolts upon you and the hour of judgement draweth near. Would you be the fool stood in his suit of armour or the wiser man who rushes clear. So! Come on ye childhood heroes! Won't your rise up from the pages of your comic-books your super-crooks and show us all the way. Well! Make your will and testament. Won't you? Join your local government. We'll have Superman for president let Robin save the day. So! Where the hell was Biggles when you needed him last Saturday? And where were all the sportsmen who always pulled you through? They're all resting down in Cornwall -- writing up their memoirs for a paper-back edition of the Boy Scout Manual. OF COURSE So you ride yourselves over the fields and you make all your animal deals and your wise men don't know how it feels to be thick as a brick. |
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7. |
| 4:08 | ||||
8. |
| 1:26 | ||||
And ride with us young bonny lass ---
with the angels of the night. Crack wind clatter --- flesh rein bite on an out-size unicorn. Rough-shod winging sky blue flight on a cold wind to Valhalla. And join with us please --- Valkyrie maidens cry above the cold wind to Valhalla. Break fast with the gods. Night angels serve with ice-bound majesty. Frozen flaking fish raw nerve --- in a cup of silver liquid fire. Moon jet brave beam split ceiling swerve and light the old Valhalla. Come join with us please --- Valkyrie maidens cry above the cold wind to Valhalla. The heroes rest upon the sighs of Thor's trusty hand maidens. Midnight lonely whisper cries, We're getting a bit short on heroes lately. Sword snap fright white pale goodbyes in the desolation of Valhalla. And join with us please --- Valkyrie maidens ride empty-handed on the cold wind to Valhalla. |
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9. |
| 4:37 | ||||
There's a haze on the skyline, to wish me on my way.
And there's a note on the telephone --- some roses on a tray. And the motorway's stretching right out to us all, as I pull on my old wings one white duck on your wall. Isn't it just too damn real? one white duck on your wall. one duck on your wall. I'll catch a ride on your violin --- strung upon your bow. And I'll float on your melody --- sing your chorus soft and low. There's a picture-view postcard to say that I called. You can see from the fireplace, one white duck on your wall. Isn't it just too damn real? one white duck on your wall. one duck on your wall. one duck on your wall. So fly away Peter and fly away Paul from the finger-tip ledge of contentment. The long restless rustle of high-heeled boots calls. And I'm probably bound to deceive you after all. Something must be wrong with me and my brain --- if I'm so patently unrewarding. But my dreams are for dreaming and best left that way and my zero to your power of ten equals nothing at all. There's no double-lock defense; there's no chain on my door. I'm available for consultation, But remember your way in is also my way out, and love's four-letter word is no compensation. Well, I'm the Black Ace dog-handler: I'm a waiter on skates so don't you jump to your foreskin conclusion. Because I'm up to my deaf ears in cold breakfast trays to be cleared before I can dine on your sweet Sunday lunch confusion. |
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10. |
| 2:49 | ||||
Salamander --- born in the sun-kissed flame.
Who was it lit your candle --- branded you with your name? I see you walking by my window in your Kensington haze. Salamander, burn for me and I'll burn for you. |
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11. |
| 2:27 | ||||
Have you seen Jack-In-The-Green?
With his long tail hanging down. He quietly sits under every tree --- in the folds of his velvet gown. He drinks from the empty acorn cup the dew that dawn sweetly bestows. And taps his cane upon the ground --- signals the snowdrops it's time to grow. It's no fun being Jack-In-The-Green --- no place to dance, no time for song. He wears the colours of the summer soldier --- carries the green flag all the winter long. Jack, do you never sleep --- does the green still run deep in your heart? Or will these changing times, motorways, powerlines, keep us apart? Well, I don't think so --- I saw some grass growing through the pavements today. The rowan, the oak and the holly tree are the charges left for you to groom. Each blade of grass whispers Jack-In-The-Green. Oh Jack, please help me through my winter's night. And we are the berries on the holly tree. Oh, the mistlethrush is coming. Jack, put out the light. |
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12. |
| 6:00 | ||||
Walking on Velvet Green
Scotch pine growing Isn't it rare to be taking the air? Singing Walking on Velvet Green Walking on Velvet Green Distant cows lowing Never a care With your legs in the air Loving Walking on Velvet Green Won't you have my company Yes, take it in your hands Go down on Velvet Green with a country man Who's a young girl's fancy and an old maid's dream Tell your mother that you walked all night on Velvet Green One dusky half-hour's ride up to the north There lies your reputation and all that you're worth Where the scent of wild roses turns the milk to cream Tell your mother that you walked all night on Velvet Green And the long grass blows in the evening cool And August's rare delights may be April's fool But think not of that my love I'm tight against the seam And I'm growing up to meet you down on Velvet Green Now let me tell you that it's love and not just lust And if we live the lie let's lie in trust On golden daffodils to catch the silver stream That washes out the wild oat seed on Velvet Green We'll dream as lovers under the stars But civilization's raging afar And the ragged dawn breaks on your battle scars As you walk home cold and alone upon Velvet Green (Repeat first two verses) |
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13. |
| 2:38 | ||||
Clear light on a slick palm
as I mis-deal the day Slip the night from a shaved pack make a marked card play Call twilight hours down from a heaven home high above the highest bidder for the good Lord's throne In the wee hours I'll meet you down by Dun Ringill --- oh, and we'll watch the old gods play by Dun Ringill We'll wait in stone circles 'til the force comes through --- lines joint in faint discord and the stormwatch brews a concert of kings as the white sea snaps at the heels of a soft prayer whispered In the wee hours I'll meet you down by Dun Ringill --- oh, and I'll take you quickly by Dun Ringill. |
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14. |
| 3:20 | ||||
Through long December nights we talk in words of rain or snow
While you, through chattering teeth, reply and curse us as you go. Why not spare a thought this day for those who have no flame To warm their bones at Christmas time? Say Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow. Now as the last broad oak leaf falls, we beg: consider this --- there's some who have no coin to save for turkey, wine or gifts. No children's laughter round the fire, no family left to know. So lend a warm and a helping hand --- Say Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow. As holly pricks and ivy clings, Your fate is none too clear. The Lord may find you wanting, let your good fortune disappear. All homely comforts blown away and all that's left to show Is to share your joy at Christmas time With Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow. |
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15. |
| 2:12 | ||||
16. |
| 4:54 | ||||
Cold aeroplanes, slow boats, warm trains
Remind me of Jack-A-Lynn Lush hotels and pretty girls Won't cheer the misty mood I'm in Silly, sad, I've never had to write this before Oh, Jack-A-Lynn Funny how long nights allow Thoughts of Jack-A-Lynn When phantoms tread around my bed To offer restless dreams they bring And it's just the time and place to find A sad song to play For Jack-A-Lynn Magpies that shriek, old boots that leak Call me to Jack-A-Lynn Coal black cats in policeman's hats Nosing where the mice have been And the long meow's beginning now And I'm far, far from home And Jack-A-Lynn |
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17. |
| 1:59 | ||||
In the morning gonna get my things together
Packing up and I'm leaving this place I don't believe you'll cry There'll be a smile upon your face I didn't think how much you'd hurt me That's something that I laugh about Bring in the good times, baby And let the bad times out That old sun keeps on shining But someday it won't shine for you In the morning I'll be leaving I'll leave your mother too |
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18. |
| 3:36 | ||||
19. |
| 2:57 | ||||
20. |
| 2:58 | ||||
21. |
| 2:46 | ||||
22. |
| 4:16 | ||||
Good morning Weathercock,
How'd you fare last night? Did the cold wind bite you, Did you face up to the fright When the leaves spin from October And whip around your tail? Did you shake from the blast, And did you shiver through the gale? Give us direction, the best of goodwill, Put us in touch with fair winds. Sing to us softly, hum evening's song, Tell us what the blacksmith has done for you. Do you simply reflect changes In the patterns of the sky, Or is it true to say the weather heeds The twinkle in your eye? Do you fight the rush of winter, And hold snowflakes at bay? Do you lift the dawn sun from the fields And help him on his way? Good morning Weathercock, make this day bright. Put us in touch with your fair winds. Sing to us softly, hum evening's song. Point the way to better days we can share with you. |
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23. |
| 3:38 | ||||
Smile your little smile --- take some tea with me awhile.
Brush away that black cloud from your shoulder. Twitch your whiskers. Feel that you're really real. Another tea-time --- another day older. Puff warm breath on your tiny hands. You wish you were a man who every day can turn another page. Behind your glass you sit and look at my ever-open book --- One brown mouse sitting in a cage. Do you wonder if I really care for you --- Am I just the company you keep --- Which one of us exercises on the old treadmill --- Who hides his head, pretending to sleep? Smile your little smile --- take some tea with me awhile. And every day we'll turn another page. Behind our glass we'll sit and look at our ever-open book --- One brown mouse sitting in a cage. |
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24. |
| 4:12 | ||||