Protest Songs

Time is the healer, time was on my hands
The bus stopped at tiffany's
So i went to hear the band
I saw cinderella, then the curtain dropped
Time hung heavy on my hands but today
The clock just stopped

I heard the music saw those pictures on the wall
I fell in love with tiffany's i thought it said it all
Soothed by your saxophones i thought you'd understand
I'd love to sing my songs for you but i don't know if i can
Said don't know if i can, don't know if i can

Midnight is striking there's a pumpkin by the door
It's five o'clock and the streets are clear am i alone once more ?
I watched the dawn in an electric storm my compass blew haywire
There she stands with a slipper in her hand
And her eyes were the colour of fire

I saw you crying from that doorway for sometime
It's no use drying your eyes 'cos i see those tell tale signs
I saw you crying from that doorway for sometime
It's no use drying your eyes 'cos i see those tell tale signs
I see those tell tale signs, i see those tell tale signs

Time is no healer in truth she plays no part
When money's got you in your pocket where can she put your heart ?
She led a charmed life so i believe
Before she left she wrote a note and this is how it reads

I saw you crying from that doorway for sometime
It's no use drying your eyes 'cos i see those tell tale signs
I saw you crying from that doorway for sometime
It's no use drying your eyes 'cos i see those tell tale signs
I see those tell tale signs, i see those tell tale signs

Feel the sun upon your back
Someone somewhere wants to steal it
Pray each night you'll catch the thief
But while you sleep he comes and takes it

Does that make you think little girl ?
Doesn't it just little boy

There'll be no stampede on the pearly gates
I'll say "after you" you'll say "i don't mind the wait"
There'll be no stampede on those imposing doors
Naked and afraid, cowering we crawl on all fours

See the smile on her young face
Watch life casually erase it
Now i know she's all grown up
She wears a look i can't quite place yet

What makes you cry little girl ?
Maybe i'm scared little boy

There'll be no stampede on the pearly gates
I'll say "after you" you'll say "i don't mind the wait"
There'll be no stampede on those imposing doors
Naked and afraid, cowering we crawl on all fours
There'll be no stampede on the pearly gates
I'll say "after you" you'll say "i don't mind the wait"

You can keep the good times righteousness
The best parting line
Rather then pretend we are a1 ultrafine
Shall i be the first then to say what we have found
There's something in our lifetime won't let us settle down

Darling it's a life of surprises
It's no help growing older or wiser
You don't have to pretend you're not crying
When it's even in the way that you're walking

Never let your conscience be harmful to your health
Let no neurotic impulse turn inward on itself
Just say that you were happy, as happy would allow
And tell yourself that that will have to do for now

Darling it's a life of surprises
It's no help growing older or wiser
You don't have to pretend you're not crying
When it's even in the way that you're walking - baby talking

Never say you're bitter jack
Bitter makes the worst things come back

Darling it's a life of surprises
It's no help growing older or wiser
You don't have to pretend you're not crying
When it's even in the way that you're walking - baby talking

Never say you're bitter jack
Bitter makes the worst things come back

Darling it's a life of surprises
It's no help growing older or wiser
You don't have to pretend you're not crying
When it's even in the way that you're walking

Aren't you a skinny kid - just like his poppa
Where's he working ? - he's not working
Thin as the smile i wear
Cold as the beaches you comb
Till the cows come home

Tell the truth again - tell the truth again
Near to the knuckle, near to the knuckle
Why're you laughing ? - you call that laughing ?
Wearing your death's head grin - even the fishes are thin
When the boat comes in

Things are better now - things are better now
We've education
I doff my cap to a life that lets you
Dream a poor man's dream
But he can't have his coffee with cream
Till the cows come home

Carry no bright torches for me...

You hide under the eiderdown all you can't sweep underneath the carpet
When you cover your neighbour's wife scalding marks appear you're talking scarlet
Kid yourself that it's platonic love

Best of friends - eyes all smiling - watch them turn to iron filings

I will say late one evening while moonstruck beside her
I'll break the bonds of friendship one by one. i'll tell her
I'm more than some friendly fellow, i will say "how ya doin ?"
So casually she never suspects i'm harbouring thoughts of kissing her neck
I think my mouth's been drinking my basest thoughts do the thinking
You've no shame when scarlet is your name trust in flames
When scarlet is your name

Yes he's crying in his sleep, yes he's thoroughly miserable for me
Losing his looks for me. losing

Certain themes keep recurring, boundaries start a blurring

I will say late one evening while moonstruck beside her
I'll break the bonds of friendship one by one. i'll tell her
I'm more than some friendly fellow, i will say "how ya doin ?"
So casually she never suspects i'm harbouring thoughts of kissing her neck
I think my mouth's been drinking my basest thoughts do the thinking
Oh my god someone tell her - i know she's a star, celestial feast
In the zoo of my heart she is thrown to the beast, tell her
The mouse here beside her won't always be denied her
I've no shame, scarlet is my name, trust in flames
Scarlet is my name

Carry no bright torches for me