I sing myself to sleep A song from the darkest hour Secrets I can’t keep Insight of the day Swing from high to deep Extremes of sweet and sour Hope that God exists I hope I pray
Drawn by the undertow My life is out of control I believe this wave will bear my weight So let it flow
Oh sit down Oh sit down Oh sit down Sit down next to me Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down, down In sympathy
Now I’m relieved to hear That you’ve been to some far out places It’s hard to carry on When you feel all alone Now I’ve swung back down again It’s worse than it was before If I hadn’t seen such riches I could live with being poor
Oh sit down Oh sit down Oh sit down Sit down next to me Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down, down In sympathy
Those who feel the breath of sadness Sit down next to me Those who find they’re touched by madness Sit down next to me Those who find themselves ridiculous Sit down next to me In love, in fear, in hate, in tears In love, in fear, in hate, in tears In love, in fear, in hate, in tears In love, in fear, in hate
Down Down
Oh sit down Oh sit down Oh sit down Sit down next to me Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down, down In sympathy
Oh sit down Oh sit down Oh sit down Sit down next to me Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down, down In sympathy
Μέρα Μαγιού μου μίσεψες μέρα Μαγιού σε χάνω άνοιξη γιε που αγάπαγες κι ανέβαινες απάνω
Στο λιακωτό και κοίταζες και δίχως να χορταίνεις άρμεγες με τα μάτια σου το φως της οικουμένης
Και μου ιστορούσες με φωνή γλυκιά ζεστή κι αντρίκεια τόσα όσα μήτε του γιαλού δεν φτάνουν τα χαλίκια
Και μου 'λεγες πως όλ' αυτά τα ωραία θα είν' δικά μας και τώρα εσβήστης κι έσβησε το φέγγος κι η φωτιά μας.
Θεσσαλονίκη, Μάης του 1936. Μια μάνα μοιρολογεί, στη μέση του δρόμου, πάνω από τον νεκρό γιο της. Ο Γιάννης Ρίτσος εμπνέεται από το γεγονός που το διαβάζει στις εφημερίδες της εποχής και γράφει εκείνη τη χρονιά τον Επιτάφιο.
[Car sound, switching on of car radio] "...announced plans to build a nuclear fallout shelter at Peterborough in Cambridgeshire..." [phzzt! of returning] "...three high court judges have cleared the way..." [phzzt!] "...It was announced today, that the replacement for the Atlantic Conveyor the container ship lost in the Falklands conflict would be built in Japan, a spokesman for..." [phzzt!] "...moving in. They say the third world countries, like Bolivia, which produce the drug are suffering from rising violence...[fades]"
Tell me true, tell me why, was Jesus crucified Is it for this that Daddy died? Was it for you? Was it me? Did I watch too much T.V.? Is that a hint of accusation in your eyes? If it wasn't for the nips Being so good at building ships The yards would still be open on the clyde. And it can't be much fun for them Beneath the rising sun With all their kids committing suicide. What have we done, Maggie what have we done? What have we done to England? Should we shout, should we scream "What happened to the post war dream?" Oh Maggie, Maggie what have we done?
2. Your Possible Pasts
They flutter behind you your possible pasts, Some bright-eyed and crazy, some frightened and lost. A warning to anyone still in command [Cattle truck noises] "Ranks! Fire!" Of their possible future, to take care. In derelict sidings the poppies entwine With cattle trucks lying in wait for the next time.
Do you remember me? How we used to be? Do you think we should be closer?
She stood in the doorway, the ghost of a smile Haunting her face like a cheap hotel sign. Her cold eyes imploring the men in their macs For the gold in their bags or the knives in their backs. Stepping up boldly one put out his hand. He said, "I was just a child then, now I'm only a man."
Do you remember me? How we used to be? Do you think we should be closer?
By the cold and religious we were taken in hand Shown how to feel good and told to feel bad. Tongue tied and terrified we learned how to pray Now our feelings run deep and cold as the clay. And strung out behind us the banners and flags Of our possible pasts lie in tatters and rags.
Do you remember me? How we used to be? Do you think we should be closer?
3. One of the Few
When you're one of the few to land on your feet What do you do to make ends meet? Teach. Make them mad, make them sad, make them add two and two. Make them me, make them you, make them do what you want them to. Make them laugh, make them cry, make them lie down and die.
4. When the Tigers Broke Free
It was just before dawn One miserable morning in black 'forty four. When the forward commander Was told to sit tight When he asked that his men be withdrawn. And the Generals gave thanks As the other ranks held back The enemy tanks for a while. And that's how the Anzio bridgehead Was held for the price Of a few hundred ordinary lives.
And kind old King George Sent Mother a note When he heard that father was gone. It was, I recall, In the form of a scroll, With gold leaf and all. And I found it one day In a drawer of old photographs, hidden away. And my eyes still grow damp to remember His Majesty signed With his own rubber stamp.
It was dark all around. There was frost in the ground When the tigers broke free. And no one survived From the Royal Fusiliers Company C. They were all left behind, Most of them dead, The rest of them dying. And that's how the High Command Took my daddy from me.
5. The Hero's Return
Jesus, Jesus, what's it all about? Trying to clout these little ingrates into shape. When I was their age all the lights went out. There was no time to whine or mope about. And even now part of me flies over Dresden at angels one five. Though they'll never fathom it behind my Sarcasm desperate memories lie.
Sweetheart sweetheart are you fast asleep? Good. 'Cause that's the only time that I can really speak to you. And there is something that I've locked away A memory that is too painful To withstand the light of day.
When we came back from the war the banners and Flags hung on everyone's door. We danced and we sang in the street and The church bells rang. But burning in my heart My memory smolders on Of the gunners dying words on the intercom.
6. The Gunner's Dream
Floating down through the clouds Memories come rushing up to meet me now. In the space between the heavens and in the corner of some foreign field I had a dream. I had a dream. Good-bye Max. Good-bye Ma. After the service when you're walking slowly to the car And the silver in her hair shines in the cold November air You hear the tolling bell And touch the silk in your lapel And as the tear drops rise to meet the comfort of the band You take her frail hand And hold on to the dream. A place to stay "Oi! A real one ..." Enough to eat Somewhere old heroes shuffle safely down the street Where you can speak out loud About your doubts and fears And what's more no-one ever disappears You never hear their standard issue kicking in your door. You can relax on both sides of the tracks And maniacs don't blow holes in bandsmen by remote control And everyone has recourse to the law And no-one kills the children anymore. And no one kills the children anymore.
Night after night Going round and round my brain His dream is driving me insane. In the corner of some foreign field The gunner sleeps tonight. What's done is done. We cannot just write off his final scene. Take heed of his dream. Take heed.
7. Paranoid Eyes
Button your lip. Don't let the shield slip. Take a fresh grip on your bullet proof mask. And if they try to break down your disguise with their questions You can hide, hide, hide, "I'll tell you what, I'll give you three blacks, and play you for five ..." "Ta! You was unlucky there son" "Time gentleman!" Behind paranoid eyes.
You put on our brave face and slip over the road for a jar. Fixing your grin as you casually lean on the bar, Laughing too loud at the rest of the world With the boys in the crowd You hide, hide, hide, Behind petrified eyes.
You believed in their stories of fame, fortune and glory. Now you're lost in a haze of alcohol soft middle age The pie in the sky turned out to be miles too high. And you hide, hide, hide, Behind brown and mild eyes.
"Oi!"
8. Get Your Filthy Hands Off My Desert
"Oi...Get your filthy hands off my desert!" "What 'e say?"
Brezhnev took Afghanistan. Begin took Beirut. Galtieri took the Union Jack. And Maggie, over lunch one day, Took a cruiser with all hands. Apparently, to make him give it back.
9. The Fletcher Memorial Home
Take all your overgrown infants away somewhere And build them a home, a little place of their own. The Fletcher Memorial Home for Incurable Tyrants and Kings.
And they can appear to themselves every day On closed circuit T.V. To make sure they're still real. It's the only connection they feel. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, Reagan and Haig, Mr. Begin and friend, Mrs. Thatcher, and Paisly, "Hello Maggie!" Mr. Brezhnev and party. "Scusi dov'è il bar?" The ghost of McCarthy, The memories of Nixon. "Who's the bald chap?" "Good-bye!" And now, adding colour, a group of anonymous latin- American meat packing glitterati.
Did they expect us to treat them with any respect? They can polish their medals and sharpen their Smiles, and amuse themselves playing games for awhile. Boom boom, bang bang, lie down you're dead.
Safe in the permanent gaze of a cold glass eye With their favorite toys They'll be good girls and boys In the Fletcher Memorial Home for colonial Wasters of life and limb.
Is everyone in? Are you having a nice time? Now the final solution can be applied.
10. Southampton Dock
They disembarked in 45 And no-one spoke and no-one smiled There were to many spaces in the line. Gathered at the cenotaph All agreed with the hand on heart To sheath the sacrificial Knifes. But now She stands upon Southampton dock With her handkerchief And her summer frock clings To her wet body in the rain. In quiet desperation knuckles White upon the slippery reins She bravely waves the boys Goodbye again.
And still the dark stain spreads between His shoulder blades. A mute reminder of the poppy fields and graves. And when the fight was over We spent what they had made. But in the bottom of our hearts We felt the final cut.
11. The Final Cut
Through the fish-eyed lens of tear stained eyes I can barely define the shape of this moment in time And far from flying high in clear blue skies I'm spiraling down to the hole in the ground where I hide.
If you negotiate the minefield in the drive And beat the dogs and cheat the cold electronic eyes And if you make it past the shotgun in the hall, Dial the combination, open the priesthole And if I'm in I'll tell you what's behind the wall.
There's a kid who had a big hallucination Making love to girls in magazines. He wonders if you're sleeping with your new found faith. Could anybody love him Or is it just a crazy dream?
And if I show you my dark side Will you still hold me tonight? And if I open my heart to you And show you my weak side What would you do? Would you sell your story to Rolling Stone? Would you take the children away And leave me alone? And smile in reassurance As you whisper down the phone? Would you send me packing? Or would you take me home?
Thought I oughta bare my naked feelings, Thought I oughta tear the curtain down. I held the blade in trembling hands Prepared to make it but just then the phone rang I never had the nerve to make the final cut.
"Hello? Listen, I think I've got it. Okay, listen its a HaHa!"
12. Not Now John
Fuck all that we've got to get on with these Gotta compete with the wily Japanese. There's too many home fires burning And not enough trees. So fuck all that We've go to get on with these.
Can't stop Lose job Mind gone Silicon What bomb Get away Pay day Make hay Break down Need fix Big six Clickity click Hold on Oh no Brrrrrrrrrring bingo!
Make 'em laugh. Make 'em cry. Make 'em dance in the aisles. Make 'em pay. Make 'em stay. Make'em feel ok.
Not nah John We've got to get on with the film show. Hollywood waits at the end of the rainbow. Who cares what it's about As long as the kids go? Not now John Got to get on with the show.
Hang on John we've got to get on with this. I don't know what it is But it fits on here like..... Come at the end of the shift We'll go and get pissed. But now now John I've got to get on with this.
Hold on John I think there's something good on. I used to read books but..... It could be the news Or some other abuse Or it could be reusable shows.
Fuck all that we've got to get on with these Got to compete with the wily Japanese. No need to worry about the Vietnamese. Got to bring the Russian Bear to his knees. Well, maybe not the Russian Bear Maybe the Swedes. We showed Argentina Now let's go and show these. Make us feel tough And wouldn't Maggie be pleased? Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah!
"s'cusi dove il bar (What?) se para collo pou eine toe bar s'il vous plait ou est le bar (...say it in English!...) oi, where's the fucking bar John? (Oh, now you're talking!)" Oh! Rule Britannia! Britannia rules the day Down! Go, Maggie! Hammer, Hammer, Hammer, Hammer, now!
13. Two Suns in the Sunset
In my rear view mirror the sun is going down Sinking behind bridges in the road And I think of all the good things That we have left undone And I suffer premonitions Confirm suspicions Of the holocaust to come.
The wire that holds the cork That keeps the anger in Gives way And suddenly it's day again. The sun is in the east Even though the day is done. Two suns in the sunset Hmmmmmmmmmm Could be the human race is run.
Like the moment when the brakes lock And you slide towards the big truck "Oh no!" "[scream] Daddy, Daddy!" You stretch the frozen moments with your fear. And you'll never hear their voices And you'll never see their faces You have no recourse to the law anymore.
And as the windshield melts My tears evaporate Leaving only charcoal to defend. Finally I understand the feelings of the few. Ashes and diamonds Foe and friend We were all equal in the end.
"...and now the weather. Tomorrow will be cloudy with scattered showers spreading from the east ... with an expected high of 4000 degrees Celsius"
In the darkest hole, you'd be well advised Not to plan my funeral before the body dies, yeah Come the morning light, it's a see through show What you may have heard and what you think you know, yeah
Let the sun never blind your eyes Let me sleep so my teeth won't grind Hear a sound from a voice inside
Sure to play a part, so you love the game And in truth your lies become one and same, yeah I could set you free, rather hear the sound Of your body breaking as I take you down, yeah
Let the sun never blind your eyes Let me sleep so my teeth won't grind Hear a sound from a voice inside
In the darkest hole, you'd be well advised Not to plan my funeral before the body dies, yeah
Let the sun never blind your eyes Let me sleep so my teeth won't grind Hear a sound from a voice inside.
One blow till I'll take ya' down, I'll take ya down One smoke and your head spins around and around Chrome mags, a million drags, a never lags An ol' transport queen momma you never seen
Hear a purrin' motor And she's a burnin' fuel Push it over, baby We're makin' love unto you
Power booster, I'm talkin' to God and more Crank it up and above my head Smell my shit eating grin on the skin of my world Six hundred sixty six miles per hour
Hear a purrin' motor And she's a burnin' fuel Push it over, baby We're makin' love
Hear a purrin' motor And she's a burnin' fuel (oh they were burnin') Push it over, baby We're makin' love unto you Makin' love unto you...making
Get back, get back a-rollin' (3x) Get back, get back motherfucker Get back, get back a-rollin' Get back, get back motherfucker(2x).
Yo, remember back on the boogie when cats use to harmonize like... whooo, whooo whooo whooo, yo, my men and my women, don't forget about the dean,Sirat al-Mustaqim yo, its about a thing, uh
If ya feel real good wave your hands in the air and 'lick' two shots in the atmosphere... yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah...
It's been three weeks since you've been looking for your friend The one you let hit it and never called you again 'Member when he told you he was 'bout the Benjamin's You act like you ain't hear him then gave him a little trim To begin, how you think you really gon' pretend Like you wasn't down then you called him again Plus when you give it up so easy you ain't even foolin’ him If you did it then, then you’d probably fuck again Talking out your neck sayin' you're a Christian A Muslim sleeping with the gin Now that was the sin that did Jezebel in Who you gon' tell when the reprocussions spin Showing off your ass 'cause you're thinking it's a trend Girlfriend, let me break it down for you again You know I only say it 'cause I'm truly genuine Don't be a hard rock when you really are a gem Baby girl, respect is just a minimum Niggas fucked up and you still defending 'em Now Lauryn is only human Don't think I haven't been through the same predicament Let it sit inside your head like a million women in Philly, Penn. It's silly when girls sell their soul because it's in Look at where you be in hair weaves like Europeans Fake nails done by Koreans Come again Win win come again, brethren come again, my friend come again, yo come again
Guys you know you better watch out Some girls, some girls are only about That thing, that thing, that thing(2x-this line)
The second verse is dedicated to the men More concerned with his rims and his Tims than his women Him and his men come in the club like hooligans Don't care who they offend popping yang like you got yen Let's not pretend, they wanna pack pistol by they waist men Crystal by the case men, still in they mother's basement The pretty face men, claiming that they did a bid men Need to take care of their three and four kids then They facing a court case when the child's support late Money taking, heart breaking now you wonder why women hate men The sneaky silent men, the punk domestic violence men The quick to shoot the semen stop acting like boys and be men How you gon' win when you ain't right within How you gon' win when you ain't right within How you gon' win when you ain't right within Uh uh Come again Yo yo Come again, brethren come again, sistren come again, come again
Watch out watch out, look out look out, Watch out watch out, look out look out.
Girls you know you better watch out Some guys, some guys are only about That thing, that thing, that thing(2x-this line)
guys you know you better watch out some girls, some girls are only about that thing, that thing, that thing(2x-this line)
