Then-the Earlier Years

I was born in a lighthouse, my mother was the sea
I crawled to school each morning, when it occured to me
That life's just a mood ring we're not allowed to see
And this is what it said to me

My room is comfortably small
With rubber lining the walls
And there's someone always calling my name
He calls when i'm alone
And he calls when i'm not home
And he calls when i'm stuck out in the rain
I'm insane
I'm insane
I'm insane
I'm insane

Now listen all you swingers, don't you try to tag along
I know monkey see, but monkey's dead, for you it would be wrong
Put a dime in my jukebox, you'll only hear this song
And it won't be fun for long

Because my room is comfortably small
With rubber lining the walls
And there's someone always calling my name
He calls when i'm alone
And he calls when i'm not home
And he calls when i'm stuck out in the rain
I'm insane
I'm insane
I'm insane
I'm insane

Thank you
Thank you

My room is comfortably small
With rubber lining the walls
And there's someone always calling my name
He calls when i'm alone
And he calls when i'm not home
And he calls when i'm stuck out in the rain
I'm insane
I'm insane
I'm insane
I'm insane

Hello
Hello
Hello

Somebody's reading your mind
Damned if you know who it is
They're digging through all of your files
Stealing back your best ideas
You cover your windows with lead
Even keeping the pets outside
Then you hear a moment too late this sound coming over the phone

This is the spawning of the cage and aquarium
Don't wait a moment too soon
Used to be different, now you're the same
Yawn as your plane goes down in flames
This is the spawning of the cage and aquarium
Don't wait a moment too soon
Used to be different, now you're the same
Yawn as your plane goes down in flames

I'm going down to cowtown
The cow's a friend to me
Lives beneath the ocean and that's where i will be
Beneath the waves, the waves
And that's where i will be
I'm gonna see the cow beneath the sea

The yellow roosevelt avenue leaf overturned
The ardor of arboreality is an adventure we have spurned, we've spurned
A new leaf overturned
It's a new leaf overturned

And so i'm going down to cowtown
The cow's a friend to me
Lives beneath the ocean and that's where i will be
Beneath the waves, the waves
And that's where i will be
I'm gonna see the cow beneath the sea

We yearn to swim for home, but our only home is bone
How sleepless is the egg knowing that which throws the stone
Foresees the bone, the bone
Our only home is bone
Our only home is bone

And so i'm going down to cowtown
The cow's a friend to me
Lives beneath the ocean and that's where i will be
Beneath the waves, the waves
And that's where i will be
I'm gonna see the cow beneath the sea

Yes i'm going down to cowtown
The cow's a friend to me
Lives beneath the ocean and that's where i will be
Beneath the waves, the waves
And that's where i will be
I'm gonna see the cow beneath the sea
Yes i'm gonna see (i'm gonna see)
The cow (the cow)
Beneath the sea

I met someone at the dog show
She was holding my left arm
But everyone was acting normal so i tried to look nonchalant.
We both said, "i really love you,"
The shriners loaned us cars
We raced up and down the sidewalk twenty thousand million times

Why did they send her over anyone else?
How should i react? these things happen to other people
They don't happen at all, in fact

When you're following an angel
Does it mean you have to throw your body off a building?
Somewhere they're meeting on a pinhead
Calling you an angel, calling you the nicest things
I heard they had a space program
When they sing you can't hear, there's no air
Sometimes i think i kind of like that and
Other times i think i'm already there

Gonna ask for my admission
Gonna speak to the man in charge
The secretary says he's on another line,
Can i hold for a long, long time?
I found out she's an angel
I don't think she knows i know
I'm worried that something might happen to me
If anyone ever finds out

Why, why did they send her over anyone else?
How should i react? these things happen to other people
They don't happen at all

When you're following an angel
Does it mean you have to throw your body off a building?
Somewhere they're meeting on a pinhead
Calling you an angel, calling you the nicest things
I heard they had a space program
When they sing you can't hear, there's no air
Sometimes i think i kind of like that and
Other times i think i'm already there

When you're following an angel
Does it mean you have to throw your body off a building?
Somewhere they're meeting on a pinhead
Calling you an angel, calling you the nicest things

I know you deceived me, couldn't sleep last night
Now my tear stains on the wall reflect an ugly sight
I can see your secrets
No need to confess
Everyone looks naked when you know the world's address

The world's address
A place that's worn
A sad pun that reflects a sadder mess
I'll repeat it for those who may not have already guessed
The world's address

Life's parade of fashion just leaves me depressed
Under every garment i can see the world's address
Call the men of science and let them hear this song
Tell them albert einstein and copernicus were wrong

The world's address
A place that's worn
A sad pun that reflects a sadder mess
I'll repeat it for those who may not have already guessed
The world's address

Call the men of science and let them hear this song
Tell them albert einstein and copernicus were wrong

The world's address
A place that's worn
A sad pun that reflects a sadder mess
I'll repeat it for those who may not have already guessed

The world's address
A place that's worn
A sad pun that reflects a sadder mess
I'll say it one more time for those who may not have already guessed
The world's address

There's only two songs in me and i just wrote the third
Don't know where i got the inspiration or how i wrote the words
Spent my whole life just digging up my music's shallow grave
For the two songs in me and the third one i just made

A rich man once told me
"hey life's a funny thing"
A poor man once told me
That he can't afford to speak
Now i'm in the middle like a bird without a beak 'cause

There's just two songs in me and i just wrote the third
Don't know where i got the inspiration or how i wrote the words
Spent my whole life just digging up my music's shallow grave
For the two songs in me and the third one i just made

So i went to the president
And i asked old what's-his-name
Has he ever gotten writer's block
Or something like the same
He just started talking
Like he was on tv
"if there's just two songs in ya, boy
Whaddaya want from me?"

So i bought myself some denim pants
And a silver guitar
But i politely told the ladies
"you'll still have to call me sir
Because i have to keep my self-respect
I'll never be a star
Since there's just two songs in me
And this is number three"

I built a little empire out of some crazy garbage
Called the blood of the exploited working class
But they've overcome their shyness
Now they're calling me your highness
And a world screams, "kiss me, son of god"

I destroyed a bond of friendship and respect
Between the only people left who'd even look me in the eye
Now i laugh and make a fortune
Off the same ones that i tortured
And a world screams, "kiss me, son of god"

I look like jesus, so they say
But mr. jesus is very far away
Now you're the only one here who can tell me if it's true
That you love me and i love me

I built a little empire out of some crazy garbage
Called the blood of the exploited working class
But they've overcome their shyness
Now they're calling me your highness
And a world screams, "kiss me, son of god"
Yes a world screams, "kiss me, son of god"

A claw is a claw
And, and, and nobody has seen a, a talking claw
Nobody has seen a talking claw
Unless, unless that claw is the famous, the famous
Unless that claw is the famous
Mr. klaw
Mr. klaw
Mr. klaw
Mr. klaw

(mr. klaw) mr. vanity klaw
(mr. klaw) mr. lightning bulb
(mr. klaw) mr. vanity klaw
(mr. klaw) mr. dental flaw
(mr. klaw) mr. vanity klaw

Come on baby turn that frown upside down
Tell me why you ain't been around
What is it brings you down?

We work the hardest to be the smartest (we work)
We work the hardest to be the smartest (we work)
We work the hardest to be the smartest (we work)
We work the hardest to be the smartest (we work)

And the big big whoredom scared me

No, no, baby i ain't convinced it ain't so bad as you paint it
There's plenty more heads of hair for us out there
We'll strike it rich, a monster switch (monster)
We'll strike it rich, a monster switch (monster)
We'll strike it rich, a monster switch (monster)
We'll strike it rich, a monster switch (monster)

But the big big whoredom scares me (no no it doesn't do that)
The big big whoredom scares me (no no don't be sad)
The big big whoredom scares me (please please stop it)
The big big whoredom scares me (don't don't)
The big big whoredom scares me (please)
The big big whoredom scares me (no)
The big big whoredom scares me
The big big whoredom scares me
The big big whoredom scares me

As your body floats down third street
With the burn-smell factory closing up
Yes it's sad to say you will romanticize
All the things you've known before
It was not not not so great
It was not not not so great
And as you take a bath in that beaten path
There's a pounding at the door
Well it's a mighty zombie talking of some love and posterity
He says "the good old days never say good-bye
If you keep this in your mind:
You need some lo-lo-loving arms
You need some lo-lo-loving arms"
And as you fall from grace the only words you say are

Put your hand inside the puppet head
Put your hand inside the puppet head
Put your hand inside
Put your hand inside
Put your hand inside the puppet head

Ads up in the subway are the work of someone
Trying to please their boss
And though the guy's a pig we all know what he wants
Is just to please somebody else
If the pu-pu-puppet head
Was only bu-bu-busted in
It would be a better thing for everyone involved
And we wouldn't have to cry

Put your hand inside the puppet head
Put your hand inside the puppet head
Put your hand inside
Put your hand inside
Put your hand inside the puppet head

Memo to myself: do the dumb things i gotta do
Touch the puppet head

Quit my job down at the carwash
Didn't have to write no-one a good-bye note
That said, "the check's in the mail, and
I'll see you in church, and don't you ever change"
If the pu-pu-puppet head
Was only bu-bu-busted in
I'll see you after school

Put your hand inside the puppet head
Put your hand inside the puppet head
Put your hand inside
Put your hand inside
Put your hand inside the puppet head

Put your hand inside the puppet head
Put your hand inside the puppet head
Put your hand inside
Put your hand inside
Put your hand inside the puppet head

The day marvin gaye and phil ochs got married
The trees all waved their giant arms
And happiness bled from every streetcorner
And biplanes bombed with fluffy pillows

The day marvin gaye and phil ochs got married
The trees all waved their giant arms
And happiness bled from every streetcorner
And biplanes bombed with fluffy pillows

Sometimes i feel like being wispy
And once in a while i feel like being dry
But we're doomed and we're drowned by this feeling we surround
So i hope that i get old before i die

Ohhhhh
It's a long, long rope they use to hang you soon i hope
And i wonder why this hasn't happened
Why why why
And i think about the dirt that i'll be wearing for a shirt
And i hope that i get old before i die

Clear off the kitchen table darling
For on the kitchen table i must lie
I'm just tired for my wife just served the banquet of my life
And i hope that i get old before i die

Ohhhhh
It's a long, long rope they use to hang you soon i hope
And i wonder why this hasn't happened
Why why why
And i think about the dirt that i'll be wearing for a shirt
And i hope that i get old before i die

Ohhhhh
It's a long, long rope they use to hang you soon i hope
And i wonder why this hasn't happened
Why why why
And i think about the dirt that i'll be wearing for a shirt
And i hope that i get old before i die

Where your eyes don't go a filthy scarecrow waves its broomstick arms
And does a parody of each unconscious thing you do
When you turn around to look it's gone behind you
On its face it's wearing your confused expression
Where your eyes don't go

Where your eyes don't go a part of you is hovering
It's a nightmare that you'll never be discovering
You're free to come and go or talk like kurtis blow
But there's a pair of eyes in back of your head

Every jumbled pile of person has a thinking part that wonders
What the part that isn't thinking isn't thinking of
Should you worry when the skullhead is in front of you
Or is it worse because it's always waiting where your eyes don't go?

Where your eyes don't go a part of you is hovering
It's a nightmare that you'll never be discovering
You're free to come and go or talk like kurtis blow
But there's a pair of eyes in back of your head

Where your eyes don't go a filthy scarecrow waves its broomstick arms
And does a parody of each unconscious thing you do
When you turn around to look it's gone behind you
On its face it's wearing your confused expression
Where your eyes don't go

Can we do that?
Can we do that?

I'm def
I'm def
I'm def
I'm listening to the radio

Got a job as a test pilot
Yes i got a job as a test pilot

I'm def
I never listen to the
I never listen to
I never listen to the ra-

I'm def

Got a job as a test pilot
Yes i got a job as a test pilot

I'm listening to the radio

We have our own song and we want to get it recorded
We have our own song and we want to get it recorded
We have our own song and we want to get it recorded
We have our own song and we want to get it recorded*
We have our own song and we want to get it recorded*

Can we do that?*

Why don't you leave a message*

Hello. they might be giants are happy to be on a radio program for the first time in their long-illustrious careers. 1985 has been a very good year for they might be giants. in january, bill beg
A new school. everyone liked him, and he likes everything. in march, we were all trapped deep inside a subway car racing down tracks going faster and much faster untin they never let us out a f
En blocks later. in april, we all sang a duet with tina turner. in a way it was nice, and it was our favorite song. but we spent the entire summer resting up, looking for some vital link missing
He big picture. bill said he had found it, but in fact he had lost it. well, in september bill chipped a tooth skyriding far above the planet earth. and then came the end of the year when we wer
Our very last radio show, which we are glad that you have become a part of. thank you for listening to they might be giants. we do have a dial-a-song service at 718-387-6962. service at 718-387-
Thank you.

Never thought i'd fall
But now i hear the call
I'm getting sentimental over you
Things you say and do
Just thrill me through and through
I'm getting sentimental over you

Once i wondered why
I'd sit at home and sigh
I'm getting sentimental over you
Words cannot describe
This poetry inside
I'm getting sentimental over you

I thought i was happy, i could live with myself
Now i see that love is all that i'm thinking of

Won't you please be kind
And just make up your mind
That you'll be sweet and gentle
Be gentle with me
'cause i'm getting sentimental over you

I thought i was happy, i could live with myself
Now i see that love is all that i'm thinking of

Won't you please be kind
And just make up your mind
That you'll be sweet and gentle
Be gentle with me
'cause i'm getting sentimental over you

32 footsteps leading to the room where the paint doesn't want to dry
32 footsteps running down the road where the dirt reaches the sky
32 feathers in my brand-new indian headdress
32 new moons shining in 32 skies
What's the reason, why'd she go
Where's my baby, i don't know
32 footsteps, counted them myself, 32 footsteps

Bing bang bingalong, cing cang cingalong, ding dang dingalong day
Fing fang fingalong, ging gang gingalong, hing hang hingalong hay
Jing jang jingalong, king kang kingalong, ling lang lingalong lay
Ming mang mingalong, ning nang ningalong, ping pang pingalong pay

What's the reason, why'd she go
Where's my baby, i don't know
32 footsteps, counted them myself, 32 footsteps

32 lies my ears never saw when the floorboards gave way
32 walls come tumbling down and the night turns to day
32 infantrymen running in place
32 boxcars, all of them have your face

What's the reason, why'd she leave
Don't you know we're on the eve of
32 footsteps, counted them myself, 32 footsteps

(no) 28
(no) 29
(no) 30
31

What's gonna happen to chess piece face
There go i but for my face
All i know could be defaced by the facts in the life of chess piece face

I don't know where he lives
Or if he knows to sail
Or if little schemes like this one ever cross his trail
But i don't believe he's dreaming
Or if he cares to know
So i shudder* in my lampshade

So, what's gonna happen to chess piece face
There i go but for my face
All i know could be defaced by the facts in the life of chess piece face
Chess piece face
Chess piece face
Chess piece face

Love sees love's happiness
But happiness can't see that love is sad
That love is sad
Sadness is hanging there
To show love somewhere something needs a change
They need a change

They'll need a crane, they'll need a crane
To take the house he built for her apart
To make it break it's gonna take a metal ball hung from a chain
They'll need a crane, they'll need a crane
To pick the broken ruins up again
To mend her heart, to help him start to see a world apart from pain

Lad's gal is all he has
Gal's gladness hangs upon the love of lad
The love of lad
Some things gal says to lad aren't meant as bad
But cause a little pain
They cause him pain

They'll need a crane, they'll need a crane
To take the house he built for her apart
To make it break it's gonna take a metal ball hung from a chain
They'll need a crane, they'll need a crane
To pick the broken ruins up again
To mend her heart, to help him start to see a world apart from pain

Don't call me at work again no no the boss still hates me
I'm just tired and i don't love you anymore
And there's a restaurant we should check out where
The other nightmare people like to go
I mean nice people, baby wait,
I didn't mean to say nightmare

Lad looks at other gals
Gal thinks jim beam is handsomer than lad
He isn't bad
Call off the wedding band
Nobody wants to hear that one again
Play that again

They'll need a crane, they'll need a crane
To take the house he built for her apart
To make it break it's gonna take a metal ball hung from a chain
They'll need a crane, they'll need a crane
To pick the broken ruins up again
To mend her heart, to help him start to see a world apart from pain

They'll need a crane, they'll need a crane
They'll need a crane, they'll need a crane
They'll need a crane, they'll need a crane
They'll need a crane, they'll need a crane
They'll need a crane

The famous person wears the same size water skis as me
She's got three cars, as many years i've lived in this city
Her hair is blond and mine is brown, they both start with a b
But when the phone inside her rib cage rings it's not for me
But when the phone inside her rib cage rings it's not for me
Hey

Some notes on how to pronounce certain things:
I, ei, y = pronounced like ee or ea, e.g., feel, read, etc.
Ou= pronounced like oo, e.g., fool

Mono dyo tragoudia eho kai trito molis vgei
De ksero pou vrika to ptoma mia kai tote itan ekei
Tora periplanomai ston tafo tis mousikis
Gia ta dyo tragoudia kai to trito molis vgei

Enas plousios mou eipe fere kota kai zoumi
Ftohopaido mou eipe pos de mporei na pei
Kai tora perimeno san kota to theo epi ti ghi

Mono dyo tragoudia eho kai trito molis vgei
De ksero pou vrika to ptoma mia kai tote itan ekei
Tora periplanomai ston tafo tis mousikis
Gia ta dyo tragoudia kai to trito molis vgei

Piga sto lefko iko kai rotao ton pyravlo
An pote den eixe complex i kati san afto
Ma arxise na paramilaei sa na itan stin tv
"den exo mono dyo tragoudia
Apo mena thelis ti?"

Kainouri' agorasa stena blue jeans
Kai ena baglama
Kai eipa stis kyries na mou ferthoun evgenika
Gia na min exo typseis pos den pao makria
Gia ta dyo tragoudia kai to trito molis vgei



Here's a direct retranslation of greek#3 from greek back to english. some people thought it'd be fun to read. the english of course is not correct, but i translated it literally. in greek too, s
Hings sound weird. like, the expression with the 'chicken and juice'. never heard it before!

I just have two songs and a third one when it comes out*
I don't know where i found the body** since then it was there
Now i'm wandering around music's grave
For the two songs and the third one when it comes out

A rich guy told me "bring a chicken and juice" (!)
A poor guy told me that he can't tell
And now i'm waiting like a chicken for god on earth

I just have two songs and a third one when it comes out
I don't know where i found the body since it was there then
Now i'm wandering around music's grave
For the two songs and the third one when it comes out

I went to the white house and asked the rocket (!)
If he ever had a complex or something of the sort
But he started babbling like he as on tv
"i don't have just two songs
What do you want from me?"

I bought some new, tight bluejeans
And a 'baglama'***
And i told the ladies to be nice to me
So that i won't feel guilty for not going far
For the two songs and the third one when it comes out

* literally 'as soon as' but it would be too long
** literally 'dead body', cadaver
*** a very tiny traditional greek guitar-like instrument, a tiny 'bouzouki'

Avalanche or roadblock
I was a snowball in hell
Avalanche or roadblock
A jailer trapped in his cell

Money's all broke, and food's going hungry
If it wasn't for disappointment
I wouldn't have any appointments

Side effect or drug trip
Don't tease me with all of your might
Side effect or drug trip
My panacea's in a xerox shop

Have a nice day, you want it when?
Have a nice day, have a nice day

I didn't expect to find a salesman drinking coffee this late in the morning. how long you been here, joe?
Oh, i don't know, i guess thirty, forty-five minutes maybe. why do you ask?
You must be making a lot of sales, piling up good income.
Oh... uh... i'm doing all right. i could do better, but... ohahaha i get it paul. back on that old "time is money" kick, right?
Not back on it, joe, still on it.

Avalanche or roadblock
I was a snowball in hell
Avalanche or roadblock
A jailer trapped in his cell
Money i owe, money-iy-ay
Money i owe, money-iy-ay

Avalanche or roadblock
I was a snowball in hell


Notes
The frank o'toole demo version adds more of the spoken dialogue ad nauseum as follows:

Okay, okay
Okay, okay, okay let's
Okay, okay
Okay, okay, okay let's
Okay, okay
Okay, okay, okay let's

Avalanche or roadblock
I was a snowball in hell
Avalanche or roadblock
A jailer trapped in his cell

Money's all broke, and food's going hungry
If it wasn't for disappointment
I wouldn't have any appointments

Did i affect your drug trip
Don't tease me with all of your might
Did i affect your drug trip
You threw my wallet in the wishing well

Have a nice day, you want it when?
Have a nice day, have a nice day

I didn't expect to find a salesman drinking coffee this late in the morning. how long you been here, joe?
Oh, i don't know, i guess thirty, forty-five minutes maybe. why do you ask?
You must be making a lot of sales, piling up good income.
Oh... uh... i'm doing all right. i could do better, but... ohahaha i get it paul. back on that old "time is money" kick, right?
Not back on it, joe, still on it.

Avalanche or roadblock
I was a snowball in hell
Avalanche or roadblock
A jailer trapped in his cell

Money's all broke, and food's going hungry
If it wasn't for disappointment
I wouldn't have any appointments

Avalanche or roadblock
Yes, i was a snowball in hell
I was a snowball in hell

Not back on it, joe, still on it.
Not back on it, joe, still on it.
Not back on it, joe, still on it.

Which describes how you're feeling all the time
Which describes how you're feeling all the
Feeling all the time
There's this guy in the sky and he makes you want to
Want to make you sigh, like the time
When you felt like you're feeling all the time
And you sighed at the cracks in the ceiling all the time
You said "i'm feeling fine" but it didn't really rhyme
It didn't rhyme, overseas

Which describes how you're feeling all the time

It describes how you're feeling

Which describes how you're feeling all the time
When you lie that your life's unappealing all the time
But your lie doesn't rhyme with the word overseas
Overseas there's this guy
Who describes how you're feeling all the time
In his mind he can find how you're feeling all the time
From behind distant lines
Even straighter than his spine
Which is fine
Which is fine
And describes how you're feeling all the time

I never went to the tropical island
Though everybody said they saw me there
And it wasn't me you punched a hole in
At the west german protest march

Simultaneous events don't happen
We are isolated temporally
And a part is never called the whole thing
Though it bothers us to know it's so

Every man is made of two opinions
Every woman has a second half
And it's samba time for tambo and weep day for urine man (samba time for tambo and weep day for urine man)
Yes, it's samba time for tambo and weep day for urine man (samba time for tambo and weep day for urine man)

I didn't write the words you hear me singing (didn't write the words you hear me singing)
I didn't sing the line before this one (didn't sing the line before this one)
You are not the one i was addressing (you are not the one i was addressing)
That person took a train to africa (africa)

Where he met the consulate from belgium
Who is now a buddhist in a cave
Who is pitching for the oakland raiders
Striking out the batter she became

Every man is made of two opinions
Every woman has a second half
And it's samba time for tambo and weep day for urine man (samba time for tambo and weep day for urine man)
Yes, it's samba time for tambo and weep day for urine man (samba time for tambo and weep day for urine man)
Yes, it's samba time for tambo and weep day for urine man (samba time for tambo and weep day for urine man)
Weep day for urine man (weep day for urine man)
Weep day for urine man (weep day for urine man)
Weep day for urine man (weep day for urine man)
Weep day weep day
Weep day weep day
Weep day weep day
Weep (weep) weep (weep) weep (weep) weep (weep)
Weep (weep) weep (weep) weep (weep) weep (weep)
Weep (weep) weep (weep) weep (weep) weep (weep)
Weep (weep) weep (weep) weep (weep) weep (weep)
Weep (weep) weep (weep) weep (weep) weep (weep)
Weep (weep) weep (weep) weep (weep)

Lord, please don't take me away.

Rabid child stays at home, talks on a cb
Truckers pass calling out their handles to the kid
Chess piece face and the big duluth call her every day
"hammer down" and "rabbit ears" are the only words they know

Hammer down
Hammer down, rabbit ears
Hammer down, rabbit ears
Hammer down, rabbit ears, hammer down

If you pass the rabid child say "hammer down" for me
The rabid child
The rabid child
The rabid child

The possible dream
Finale of seem
The moment that some call eternal that some call insane
Now helmets on each head awaiting the first lead
The pageant is named the pencil rain

The infantry stands
And holds out its hands
The marshal's binoculars focus and skyward they train
They're searching the yonder blue
They look out for number two
The heraldry of the pencil rain

And now hear the roar that none can ignore
The thunderous clatter of splintering wood and lives that are claimed
And none who have witnessed all
Can think of a nobler cause than perishing in the pencil rain
The pencil rain
The pencil rain
The pencil rain

Piece of dirt, that is all i'm standing on today
Piece of dirt, the whole world has slipped away
I would climb the highest mountain just to jump into a fountain
Or to fly, i'd fly away

A woman's voice on the radio can convince you you're in love
A woman's voice on the telephone can convince you you're alone
But i set my sails so long ago they've revoked my sailor's badge
Said i should be content and happy on this ink spot where i stand

Piece of dirt, that is all i'm standing on today
Piece of dirt, the whole world has slipped away
I find myself haunted by a spooky man named me
I wish that i could jump out of my skin

Who can snap my fingers?
Nobody can, nobody can
Where's my cat's pajamas?
In the can, the big trash can

Swing is a word
Six feet down
Swing is a word
Six feet down
Swing is a word
Six feet down
Swing is a word
Six feet down

3-8-7-6-9-6-2-night*

Swing is a word (3-8-7)
6-9-6-2
Swing is a word (3-8-7)
6-9-6-2
Swing is a word (3-8-7)
6-9-6-2
Swing is a word (swing is a word)
Six feet down

In a world we call our home there's lots of room to roam
Plenty of time to turn mistakes into rhyme
There's a place for those who love their poetry
It's just across from the sign that says, "pros only"

So if you like a band with a chick singer,
Say your cup of tea is a wall of trombones
If you dig menudo, or mdc we salute you the way we know
For every one with dollar signs in his eyes
There must be hundreds who look at you as if you're some kind of
Rhythm section want ad
No others need apply to the rhythm section want ad
I'll tell you why

Hats off to the new age hairstyle made of bones
Hats off to the use of hats as megaphones
Speak softly, drive a sherman tank
Laugh hard, it's a long way to the bank

Do you sing like olive oyl on purpose
You guys must be into the eurythmics
For every one with dollar signs in his eyes
There must be hundreds who look at you as if you're some kind of
Rhythm section want ad
No others need apply to the rhythm section want ad
And here's the reason why

Hats off to the new age hairstyle made of bones
Hats off to the use of hats as megaphones
Speak softly, drive a sherman tank
Laugh hard, it's a long way to the bank

Do you sing like olive oyl on purpose
You guys must be into the eurythmics
For every one with dollar signs in his eyes
There must be hundreds who look at you as if you're some kind of
Rhythm section want ad
No others need apply to the rhythm section want ad
And here's the reason why
Rhythm section want ad
No others need apply to the rhythm section want ad
And here's the reason why
Why
Why

Birds fly into my windshield
Thoughts fall from my thoughts
This good luck charm hanging off my arm
Was left here by the police

Words fall out of my pockets
And cats dance under my feet
This colorful spell under which i live
Protects me from all i write

And the microscope reveals the scope
Of my very best intentions (best intentions)
Yes, the tiny light shines twice as bright
On the only nice part of me

Birds fly into my windshield
Thoughts fall from my thoughts
This good luck charm hanging off my arm
Was left here by the police

And the microscope reveals the scope
Of my very best intentions (best intentions)
Oh yes the tiny light shines twice as bright
On the only nice part of me

Fell in the door
And you fell on the floor
With your hand on the knob
Looking up and abruptly
Forget what you're thinking
Fire alarms go off in your head
You live

In the nightgown of the sullen moon
How the windows lean into the room
In the nightgown of the sullen moon

Drug trip, it's not a drug trip so you feel a bit insulted
Space walk, it's like a space walk with the corresponding weight loss
And you're nothing but air, with your hand in the air
And your shoelaces tied up together with care
There's a feeling of boredom
Of the big whoredom
Following dressing up

In the nightgown of the sullen moon
How the windows lean into the room
In the nightgown of the sullen moon

In the nightgown of the sullen moon
How the windows lean into the room
In the nightgown of the sullen moon

Your head is on the moon
It's not necessary to breathe
Forever is a long time
Your head is on the moon
It's not necessary to breathe
Forever is a long time
Your head is on the moon
Your head is on the moon

This song is dedicated to all you modern-day troubadors out there
And i think i know who you are

I got to get a job
Got to get some pay
My son's gotta go to art school
He's leaving in three days
And the tv's in esperanto*
You know that that's a bitch
But alienation's for the rich
And i'm feeling poorer every day
Hey hey hey

Well i ain't feeling happy
About the state of things in my life
But i'm working to make it better
With a six of miller high life
Just drinking and a-driving
Making sure my dues get paid
Because alienation's for the rich
And i'm feeling poorer every day
Hey hey hey

Well i ain't feeling happy
About the state of things in my life
But i'm working to make it better
With a six of miller high life
Just drinking and a-driving
Making sure my dues get paid
Because alienation's for the rich
And i'm feeling poorer every day
Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey

I know you deceived me, couldn't sleep last night
Now my tear stains on the wall reflect an ugly sight
I can see your secrets
No need to confess
Everyone looks naked when you know the world's address

The world's address
A place that's worn
A sad pun that reflects a sadder mess
I'll repeat it for those who may not have already guessed
The world's address

Life's parade of fashion just leaves me depressed
Under every garment i can see the world's address
Call the men of science and let them hear this song
Tell them albert einstein and copernicus were wrong

The world's address
A place that's worn
A sad pun that reflects a sadder mess
I'll repeat it for those who may not have already guessed
The world's address

Call the men of science and let them hear this song
Tell them albert einstein and copernicus were wrong

The world's address
A place that's worn
A sad pun that reflects a sadder mess
I'll repeat it for those who may not have already guessed

The world's address
A place that's worn
A sad pun that reflects a sadder mess
I'll say it one more time for those who may not have already guessed
The world's address

There has been a spacecraft sighted
Flying high above the sky
Sirens declare there's one among us from venus

Volunteers, we need volunteers
Soldiers to meet them
Have no fear
Have no fear
You will be killed right away

I will date the girl from venus
Flowers die and so will i
Yes, i will kiss the girl from venus for science

I'm so brave
I'm so brave
I'll be her love slave

He's so brave
He's so brave
He'll be her love slave forever

Yes, i will date the girl from venus
Flowers die and so will i
Yes, i will kiss the girl from venus for science

Let's get those missiles ready to destroy the universe!