Shyness is nice, and
shyness can stop you
from doing all the things in life
you'd like to

So, if there's something you'd like to try
If there's something you'd like to try
ask me - I won't say "no" - how could I?

Coyness is nice, and
coyness can stop you
from saying all the things in
life you'd like to

So, if there's something you'd like to try
if there's something you'd like to try
ask me - I won't say "no" - how could I ?

Spending warm Summer days indoors
writing frightening verse
to a buck-toothed girl in Luxembourg

ASK ME, ASK ME, ASK ME
ASK ME, ASK ME, ASK ME

Because if it's not Love
then it's the Bomb, the Bomb,
the Bomb, the Bomb, the Bomb, the Bomb,
the Bomb
that will bring us together

Nature is a language - can't you read?
nature is a language - can't you read?

SO, ASK ME, ASK ME, ASK ME
ASK ME, ASK ME, ASK ME

Because if it's not Love
then it's the Bomb, the Bomb,
the Bomb, the Bomb,
the Bomb, the Bomb,
the Bomb
that will bring us together

If it's not Love
then it's the Bomb
then it's the Bomb
that will bring us together

SO, ASK ME, ASK ME, ASK ME
ASK ME, ASK ME, ASK ME

Sing me to sleep
sing me to sleep
and then leave me alone
don't try to wake me in the morning
because I will be gone
don't feel bad for me
I want you to know
deep in the cell of my heart
I will feel so glad to go

Sing me to sleep
sing me to sleep
I don't want to wake up
on my own anymore
sing to me
sing to me
I don't want to wake up
on my own anymore
don't feel bad for me
I want you to know
deep in the cell of my heart
I really want to go
there is another world
there is a better world
well, there must be
well, there must be
bye bye

When you cycled by
here began all my dreams
the saddest thing I've ever seen
and you never knew
how much I really liked you
because I never even told you
oh, I meant to

Are you still there?
or have you moved away?

I would love to go
back to the old house
but I never will

A crack on the head
is what you get for not asking
and a crack on the head
is what you get for asking

Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking
when I said by rights you should be
bludgeoned in you bed
and now I know how Joan of Arc felt
now I know how Joan of Arc felt
as the flames rose to her roman nose
and her Walkman started to melt

Bigmouth, bigmouth
bigmouth strikes again
and I've got no right to take my place
with the human race
and now I know how Joan of Arc felt
now I  know how Joan of Arc felt
as the flames rose
to her roman nose
and her hearing aid started to melt

Bigmouth, bigmouth
bigmouth strikes again
and I've got no right to take my place
with the human race

So we go inside and we gravely read the stones
all those people all those lives where are they now?
with loves, and hates
and passions just like mine
they were born
and then they lived
and then they died
which seems so unfair
and I want to cry

You say, "ere thrice the sun hath done
salutation to the dawn"
and you claim these words as your own
but i'm well-read, have heard them said
a hundred times (maybe less, maybe more)
if you must write prose/poems
the words you use should be your own
don't plagiarize or take "on loan"
there's always someone, somewhere
with a big nose, who knows
and who trips you up and laughs
when you fall
who'll trip you up and laugh
when you fall

You say, "ere long done do does did"
words which could only be your own
you then produce the text
from whence was ripped
(somme dizzy whore, 1984)

A dreaded sunny day
so let's go where we're happy
and I meet you at the cemetry gates
Keats and Yeats are on your side
a dreaded sunny day
so let's go where we're wanted
and I meet you at the cemetry gates
Keats and Yeats are on your side
but you lose
because Wilde is on mine

Frankly, Mr. Shankly, I'm a sickening wreck
I've got the 21st century breathing down my neck
I must move fast, you understand me
I want to go down in celluloid history

Fame, Fame, fatal Fame
it can play hideous tricks on the brain
but still I'd rather be Famous
than righteous or holy, any day
but sometimes I'd feel more fulfilled
making Christmas cards with the mentally ill
I want to Live and I want to Love
I want to catch something that I might be ashamed of

Frankly, Mr. Shankly, this position I've held
it pays my way and it corrodes my soul
oh, I didn't realize that you wrote poetry
(I didn't realize you wrote such bloody awful poetry)

Frankly, Mr. Shankly, since you ask
you are a flatulent pain the ass
I do not mean to be so rude
but still, I must speak frankly, Mr. Shankly

Or does he even have any?

She says:
"He never really looks at me
I give him every opportunity
in the room downstairs
he sat and stared
I'll never make that mistake again!"

Boy afraid
prudence never pays

and everything she wants costs money

"But she doesn't even like me!
and I know because she said so
in the room downstairs
he sat and started
in the room downstairs
he sat and stared
I'll never make that mistake again!"

I know - IT'S SERIOUS

Golden Lights

Golden lights displaying your name
golden lights it's a terrible shame
but oh my darling
Why did you change?

Boy in a million, idol, a big star
I didn't tell you how great you were
I didn't grovel and scream
and rip your brand new jacket at the seams

You made a record, they liked your singing
all of a sudden the phone stops ringing
I never thought that you would let
the glory make you forget

Golden lights displaying your name
golden lights it's a terrible shame
but oh my darling
Why did you change?

Top ten idol, king of your age
who do you turn to when you're backstage?
don't you remember you once knew a girl
you loved her more than the world

Is life always like this, brother?
good for one side but bad for another
I must put you behind me tonight
because you belong to the lights

Those golden lights displaying your name
golden lights it's a terrible shame
but oh my darling
Why did you change?

Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent six years on your trail
six long years
on your trail

Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent six years on your trail
six full years of my life on your trail

And if you have five seconds to spare
then I'll tell you the story of my life:
sixteen, clumsy and shy
I went to London and I
I booked myself in at the Y... W.C.A.
I said: "I like it here - can I stay?
I like it here - can I stay?
do you have a vacancy
for a Back-scrubber?"

She was left behind, and sour
and she wrote to me, equally dour
she said : "In the days when you were
hopelessly poor
I just liked you more..."

And if you have five seconds to spare
then I'll tell you the story of my life :
sixteen, clumsy and shy
I went to London and I
I booked myself in at the Y... W.C.A.
I said: "I like it here - can I stay?
I like it here - can I stay?
and do you have a vacancy
for a Back-scrubber?"

Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent too long on your trail
far too long
chasing your tail

And if you have five seconds to spare
then I'll tell you the story of my life :
sixteen, clumsy and shy
that's the story of my life
sixteen, clumsy and shy
the story of my life

That's the story of my life
that's the story of my life
that's the story of my life
The story of my life
that's the story of my life
that's the story of my life
that's the story of my life
that's the story of my life
that's the story of my life
that's the story ...

---

Hand In Glove

Hand in glove
the sun shines out of our behinds

no it's not like any other love
this one is different
because it's us!

Hand in glove
we can go wherever we please
and everything depends upon
how near you stand to me

And if the people stare
then, the people stare
I really don't know
and I really don't care

Hand in glove
the Good people laugh

Yes, we may be hidden by "rags"
but we have something that they'll never have

Hand in glove
the sun shines out of our behinds

Yes, we may be hidden by "rags"
but we have something that they'll never have

And if the people stare
then, the people stare
I really don't know
and I really don't care

So, hand in glove I stake my claim
I'll fight to the last breath

If they dare touch a hair on your head
I'll fight to the last breath

The good life is out there somewhere
So stay on my arm, you little charmer

But I know my luck too well
yes, I know my luck too well
and I'll probably never see you again
I'll probably never see you again
I'll probably never see you again

---

Handsome Devil

All the streets are crammed whit things
eager to be held
I know what hands are for
and I'd like to help myself
you ask me the time
but I sense something more
and I would like to give you
what I think you asking for
you handsome devil
you handsome devil

Let me get my hands
on your mammary glands
let me get your head
on the conjugal bed
I say, I say, I say

I crack the whip
and you skip
but you deserve it

A boy in the bush
is worth two in the hand
I think I can help you get through your exams

And when we're in your scholarly room
who will swallow whom?

There's more to life than books, you know
but not much more.

---

Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour
but heaven knows I'm miserable now

I was looking for a job, and then I found a job
and heaven knows I'm miserable now

In my life
why do I give valuable time
to people who don't care if I live or die

Two lovers entwined pass me by
and heaven knows I'm miserable now

I was looking for a job, and then I found a job
and heaven knows I'm miserable now

In my life
why do I give valuable time
to people who don't care if I live or die

What she asked of me at the end of the day
Caligula would have blushed

"You've never been in the house too long" she said
and I naturally fled

In my life
why do I smile
at people who I'd much rather kick in the eye

I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour
but heaven knows I'm miserable now

"You've never been in the house too long" she said
and I naturally fled

In my life
why do I give valuable time
to people who don't care if I live or die

---

How Soon Is Now?

I am the son
and the heir
of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
of nothing in particular

You shut your mouth
how can you say
I go about things the wrong way
I am human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does

I am the son
and the heir
of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
of nothing in particular

You shut your mouth
how can you say
I go about things the wrong way
I am human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does

There's a club, if you'd like to go
you could meet somebody who really loves you
so you go, and you stand on your own
and you leave on your own
and you go home, and you cry
and you want to die

When you say it's gonna happen "now"
well, when exactly do you mean?
see I've already waited too long
and all my hope is gone

---

I Don't Owe You Anything

Bought on stolen wine
a nod was the first step
you knew very well what was coming next
did I really walk all this way just to hear you say
"oh I don't want to go out tonight"
but you will for you must
I don't owe you anything
but you owe me something
repay me now!
you should never go to them
let them come to you
just like I do
you should not go to them
let them come to you
just like I do
too freely on your lips
words prematurely sad
oh but I know what will make you smile tonight
life is never kind
life is never kind
oh but I know what will make you smile tonight

---

I Want The One I Can't Have

On the day that your mentality
catches up with your biology

I want the one I can't have
and it's driving me mad
it's written all over my face

A double-bad
and a stalwart lover, for sure
these are the riches of the poor

A tough kid who sometimes swallows nails
raised on Prisoner's Aid
he killed a policeman when he was
thirteen
and somehow that really impressed
me
it's written all over my face

On the day that your mentality
catches up with your biology

And if you ever need self-validation
just meet me in the alley by the
railway station
it's written all over my face

---

I Know It's Over

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
and as I climb into an empty bed
oh well. Enough said.
I know it's over - still I cling
I don't know where else I can go

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
see, the sea wants to take me
the knife wants to cut me
do you think you can help me?
sad veiled bride, please be happy
handsome groom, give her room
Loud, loutish lover, treat her kindly
(although she needs you
more than she loves you)
and I know it's over - still I cling

I don't know where else I can go
I know it's over
and it never really began
but in my heart it was so real
and you even spoke to me, and said
"If you're so funny
then why are you on your own tonight?
and if you're so clever
then why are you on your own tonight?
if you're so very entertaining
then why are you on your own tonight?
if you're so very good-looking
why do you sleep alone tonight?
because tonight is just like any other night
that's why you're on your own tonight
with your triumphs and your charms
while they're in each other's arms..."

It's so easy to laugh
it's so easy to hate
it takes strength to be gentle and kind

It's so easy to laugh
it's so easy to hate
it takes guts to be gentle and kind

Love is Natural and Real
but not for you, my love
not tonight, my love

Love is Natural and Real
but not for such as you and I, my love

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head

---

I Started Something I Couldn't Finish

The lanes were silent
with nothing or no one around for miles
I doused our friendly venture
with a hard-faced
three-word gesture
I started something
I forced you into a zone
and you were clearly
never meant to go
hair brushed and parted
typical me, typical me
typical me
I started something
...and now I'm not too sure
I grabbed you by the guilded beams
that's what Tradition means
and I doused another venture
with a gesture
that was... absolutely vile
I started something
forced you to a zone
and you were clearly
hair brushed and parted
typical me, typical me
typical me
I started something
...and now I'm not too sure
I grabbed you by the guilded beams
that's what Tradition means
and now eighteen months' hard-labour
seems... fair enough
I started something
forced you to a zone
and you were clearly
never meant to go
hair brushed and parted
typical me, typical me
typical me
I started something
and now I'm not too sure

---

I Won't Share You

I won't share you
I won't share you
with the drive
the ambition
and the zeal I feel
this is my time
as the note I wrote
was read, she said
has the Perrier gone
straight to my head
or is life plainly sick and cruel, instead?
"Yes!"
No, no, no, no, no, no
I won't share you
I won't share you
with the drive
and the dreams inside
this is my time
Life tends to come and go
well, that's OK
just as long as you know
Life tends to come and go
well, that's OK
just as long as you know
I won't share you
I won't share you
with the drive
and the dreams inside
this is my time
this is my time

---

Is It Really So Strange?

I left the North
I travelled South
I found a tiny house
and I can't help the way I feel
oh yes, you can kick me
and you can punch me
and you can break my face
but you won't change the way I feel
because I love you

And is it really so strange?
oh, is it really so strange?
oh, is it really so, really so strange?
I say NO, you say YES
(and you will change your mind)

I left the South
I travelled North
I got confused - I killed a horse
I can't help the way I feel
oh yes, you can punch me
and you can butt me
and you can break my spine
but you won't change the way I feel
because I love you

And is it really so strange?
oh, is it really so strange?
oh, is it really so, really so strange?
I say NO, you say YES
(but you will change your mind)

I left the North again
I travelled South again
and I got confused - I killed a nun
I can't help the way I feel
I can't help the way I feel
I can't help the way I feel
(I lost my bag in Newport Pagnell)

Why is the last mile the hardest mile?
my throat was dry,
with the sun in my eyes
and I realized, I realized
I could never
I could never, never, never,
go back home again

Never Had No One Ever

When you walk without ease
on these
the very streets were you were raised
I had a really bad dream
it lasted 20 years, 7 months, and 27 days
I never, I'm alone,
and I never,
ever had no one ever

Now I'm outside your house
I'm alone
and I'm outside your house
I hate to intrude ...
Oh, alone, I'm alone, I'm alone, I'm alone
I'm alone
I'm alone
and I never, never,
had no one ever
I never had no one ever
I never had no, no one ever

---

I'd like to drop my trousers to the Queen
every sensible child will know what this means
the poor and the needy
are selfish and greedy on her terms
and if the day came when I felt a
natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably jump
in the ocean
and when a train goes by
it's such a sad sound

And when I'm lying in my bed
I think about life
and I think about death
and neither one particularly appeals to me
and if the day came when I felt a
natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably lie
in the middle of the street and die
I'd lie down and die

Burn down the disco
hang the blessed D.J.
because the music that they constantly play
it says nothing to me about my life
hang the blessed D.J.
because the music they constantly play
on the Leeds side streets that you slip down
on the provincial towns that you jog 'round

Hang the D.J.
Hang the D.J.
Hang the D.J...

So please please please
let me, let me, let me
let me get what I want
this time

Haven't had a dream in a long time
See, the life I've had
would make a good man bad

So for once in my life
let me get what I want
Lord knows it will be the first time
Lord knows it will be the first time

End of the pier, end of the bay
you tug my arm and say: "Give into lust, give up to lust,
oh heaven knows we'll soon be dust..."
but I'm not the man you think I am
I'm not the man you think I am
and sorrow's native son
he will not rise for anyone
and pretty girls make graves

I could have been wild and I could have been free
but nature played this trick on me
she wants it now
and she will not wait
but she's too rough and I'm too delicate
then, on the sand, another man,
he takes her hand
a smile lights up her stupid face
(and well, it would)

I lost my faith in womanhood
I lost my faith in womanhood
I lost my faith

Reel around the fountain
slap me on the patio
I'll take it now

Fifteen minutes with you
well, I wouldn't say no
people said
that you were virtually dead
and they were so wrong!
fifteen minutes with you
I wouldn't say no
people said
that you were easily led
and they were half-right
 
It's time the tale were told
of how you took a child
and you made him old
It's time the tale were told
of how you took a child
and you made him old

Reel around the fountain
slap me on the patio
I'll take it now

Fifteen minutes with you
well, I wouldn't say no
people see no worth in you
oh but I do
Fifteen minutes with you
well, I wouldn't say no
people see no worth in you
oh but I do
 

I dreamt about you last night
and I fell out of bed twice
you can pin and mount me
like a butterfly
but take me to the heaven of your bed
was something that you never said
two lumps, please
you're the bee's knee's
but so am I

Meet me at the fountain
shove me on the patio
I'll take it slowly

Fifteen minutes with you
oh I wouldn't say no
people see no worth in you
oh but I do

Rubber Ring

A sad fact widely known
the most impassionate song
to a lonely soul
is so easily outgrown
but don't forget the songs
that made you smile
and the songs that made you cry
when you lay in awe
on the bedroom floor
and said : "Oh, oh, smother me Mother..."
no... rubber ring, rubber ring,
rubber ring, rubber ring
 
The passing of time
and all of its crimes
is making me sad again
the passing of time
and all of its sickening crimes
is making me sad again
but don't forget the songs
that made you cry
and the songs that saved your life
yes, you're older now
and you're a clever swine
but they were the only ones who ever stood by you

The passing of time leaves empty lives
waiting to be filled (the passing ...)
the passing of time
leaves empty lives
waiting to be filled
I'm here with the cause
I'm holding the torch
in the corner of your room
can you hear me?
and when you're dancing and laughing
and finally living
hear my voice in your head
and think of me kindly
no... rubber ring, rubber ring,
rubber ring, rubber ring

Do you
love me like you used to?
rubber ring, rubber ring,
rubber ring, rubber ring

You're clever
everybody's clever nowadays
you're clever
everybody's clever nowadays

You are sleeping
you do not want to believe
you are sleeping
you do not want to believe
you are sleeping
you do not want to believe
you are sleeping

---

Shakespeare's Sister

Young bones groan
and the rocks below say:
"throw your skinny body down, son!"

But I'm going to meet the one I love
so please don't stand in my way
because I'm going to meet the one I love
no, Mamma, let me go!

Young bones groan
and the rocks below say :
"throw your white body down!"

But I'm going to meet the one I love
At last! at last! at last!
I'm going to meet the one I love
no, Mamma, let me go !

I thought that if you had
an acoustic guitar
then it meant that you were
a Protest Singer
oh, I can smile about it now
but at the time it was terrible
no, Mamma, let me go
no ...

---

Sheila Take A Bow

Is it wrong to want to live on your own?
no, it's not wrong - but I must know
how can someone so young
sing words so sad?

Sheila take a, Sheila take a bow
boot the grime of this world in the crotch, dear
and don't go home tonight
come out and find the one that you love and who loves you
the one that you love and who loves you
oh...

Is it wrong not to always be glad?
no, it's not wrong - but I must add
how can someone so young
sing words so sad?
 

Sheila take a, Sheila take a bow
boot the grime of this world in the crotch, dear
and don't go home tonight
come out and find the one that you love and who loves you
the one that you love and who loves you
 

Take my hand and off we stride
you're a girl and I'm a boy
take my hand and off we stride
I'm a girl and you're a boy

Sheila take a, Sheila take a bow
throw your homework onto the fire
come out and find the one that you love
come out and find the one you love

---

Shoplifters Of The World Unite

Learn to love me
assemble the ways
now, today, tomorrow and always
my only weakness is a list of crime
my only weakness is ... well, never mind,
never mind

Oh, shoplifters of the world
unite and take over
shoplifters of the world
hand it over
hand it over
hand it over

Learn to love me
and assemble the ways
now, today, tomorrow, and always
my only weakness is a listed crime
but last night the plans of a future war
was all I saw on Channel Four

Shoplifters of the world
unite and take over
shoplifters of the world
hand it over
hand it over
hand it over

A heartless hand on my shoulder
a push - and it's over
Alabaster crashes down
(six months is a long time)
tried living in the real world
instead of a shell
but before I began ...
I was bored before I even began

Shoplifters of the world
unite and take over
shoplifters of the world
unite and take over
shoplifters of the world
unite and take over
shoplifters of the world
take over

---

Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others

From the ice age to the dole-age
there is but one concern
and I have just discovered:
some girls are bigger than others
some girls are bigger than others
some girls mothers are bigger than
other girls mothers

As Anthony said to Cleopatra
as he opened a crate of ale:
some girls are bigger than others
some girls are bigger than others
some girls mothers are bigger than
other girls mothers

---

Still Ill

I decree today that life is simply taking
and not giving
England is mine
and it owes me a living
ask me why and I'll spit in your eye
oh ask me why and I'll spit in your eye
but we cannot cling
to the old dreams anymore
no, we cannot cling to those dreams
does the body rule the mind
or does the mind rule the body?
I don't know...

Under the iron bridge we kissed
and although I ended up with sore lips
it just wasn't like the old days anymore
no, it wasn't like those days
am I still ill?
does the body rule the mind
or does the mind rule the body?
I don't know...

Ask me why and I'll die
oh ask me why and I'll die
and if you must go to work tomorrow
well, if i were you i wouldn't bother
for there are brighter sides to life
and I should know because i've seen them
(but not very often)

Under the iron bridge we kissed
and although I ended up with sore lips
it just wasn't like the old days anymore
no, it wasn't like those days
am I still ill?

---

Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before

Stop me, stop me
stop me if you think that you've
heard this one before
stop me, stop me
stop me if you think that you've
heard this one before
nothing's changed
I still love you, oh I still love you
...only slightly less than I used to
I was delayed, I was way-laid
an emergency stop
I smelt the last ten seconds of life
I crashed down on the crossbar
and the pain was enough to make
a shy, bald buddhist reflect
and plan a mass-murder
who said I'd lied to her?
who said I'd lied because I never
who said I'd lied because I never
I was detained, I was restrained
he broke my spleen
he broke my knees
(and then he really laid into me)
Friday night in Out-patients
who said I'd lied to her?
who said I'd lied - because I never
who said I'd lied - because I never
Oh, so I drank one
or was it four
and when I fell on the floor...
...I drank more
stop me, stop me
stop me if you think that you've
heard this one before
nothing's changed
I still love you
I still love you
but only slightly
less than I used to

---

Stretch Out And Wait

All the lies that you make up
what's at the back of your mind?
oh, your face I can see
and it's desperately kind
but what's at the back of your mind?

Two icy-cold hands conducting the way
it's the Eskimo blood in my veins
amid concrete and clay
and general decay
nature must still find a way
so ignore all the codes of the day
let your juvenile influences sway
this way and that way
this way, that way
God, how sex implores you
to let yourself lose yourself

Stretch out and wait
stretch out and wait
let your puny body, lie down, lie down
as we lie, you say
as we lie, you say
stretch out and...
stretch out and wait
stretch out and wait
let your puny body lie down, lie down

As we lie, you say:
will the world end in the night time?
(I really don't know)
Or will the world end in the day time ?
(I really don't know)
and is there any point ever having children ?
oh, I don't know
all I do know is we're Here and it's Now

Stretch out and wait
stretch out and wait
there is no debate, no debate, no debate
how can you consciously contemplate
when there's no debate, no debate ?
stretch out and wait
stretch out and wait
stretch out and wait

---

Suffer Little Children

Over the moors, take me to the moors
dig a shallow grave and I'll lay me down
Leslie Anne, with your pretty white beads
oh John you'll never be a man
and you'll never see your home again
oh Manchester, so much to answer for
Edward, see those alluring lights?
tonight will be your very last night
a woman said, "I know my son is dead,
I'll never rest my hands on his sacred head"

Hindley wakes and Hindley says,
"Wherever he has gone, I have gone"
but fresh lilaced moorland fields
cannot hide the stolid stench of death

Hindley wakes and Hindley says,
"whatever he has done I have done"
but this is no easy ride for a child cries,
"find me... find me, nothing more
we're on a sullen misty moor
we may be dead and we may be gone
but we will be right by your side
until the day you die
this is no easy ride
we will haunt you when you laugh
yes, you could say we're a team
you might sleep
but YOU WILL NEVER DREAM!"

Oh, Manchester, so much to answer for
oh, Manchester, so much to answer for

Over the moor, i'm on the moor
the child is on the moor

---

Sweet And Tender Hooligan

He was a sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
and he said that he'd never, never do it again
and of course he won't (oh, not until the next time)

He was a sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
and he swore that he'll never, never do it again
and of course he won't (oh, not until the next time)

Poor old man
he had an "accident" with a three-bar fire
but that's OK
because he wasn't very happy anyway

Poor woman
strangled in her very own bed as she read
but that's OK
because she was old and she would have died anyway
don't blame

The sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
because he'll never, never, never, never, never, never do it again
(not until the next time)

Jury, you've heard every word
so before you decide
would you look into those "Mother-me" eyes
I love you for you, my love, you my love
you my love, you my love

Jury, you've heard every word
but before you decide
would you look into those "Mother-me" eyes
I love you for you my love, you my love
I love you just for you, my love
don't blame

The sweet and tender hooligan, hooligan
because he'll never, never do it again
and ... "In the midst of life we are in death"

Forget the hooligan, hooligan
because he'll never, never do it again
and ... "In the midst of life we are in debt"

---

That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore

Park the car at the side of the road
you should know
time's tide will smother you
and I will too
when you laugh about people who feel so
very lonely
their only desire is to die
well I'm afraid
it doesn't make me smile
I wish I could laugh
but that joke isn't funny anymore
it's too close to home
and it's too near the bone
it's too close to home
and it's too near the bone
more than you'll ever know

It was dark as I drove the point home
and on cold leather seats
well, it suddenly struck me
I just might die with a smile on my
face after all

I've seen this happen in other people's
lives
and now it's happening in mine

---

The Boy With The Thorn In His Side

The boy with the thorn in his side
behind the hatred there lies
a murderous desire for love
how can they look into my eyes
and still they don't believe me
how can they hear me say those words
and still they don't believe me
and if they don't believe me now
will they ever believe me?
and if they don't believe me now
will they ever believe me?

The boy with the thorn in his side
behind the hatred there lies
a plundering desire for love
how can they see the love in our eyes
and still they don't believe us
and after all this time
they don't want to believe us
and if they don't believe us now
will they ever believe us?
and when you want to live how do you start?
where do you go?
who do you need to know?

---

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

Please don't cry
for the ghost and the storm outside
will not invade this sacred shrine
nor infiltrate your mind
my life down I shall lie
if the bogey-man should try
to play tricks on your sacred mind
to tease, torment and tantalize
wavering shadows loom
a piano plays in an empty room
there'll be blood on the cleaver tonight
when darkness lifts and the room is bright
I'll still be by your side
for you are all that matters and
I'll love you till the day I die
there never need be longing in your eyes
as long as the hand that rocks the cradle is mine
ceiling shadows shimmy by
and when the wardrobe towers like a beast of prey
there's sadness in your beautiful eyes
your untouched, unsoiled, wondrous eyes
my life down I shall lie
should restless spirits try
to play tricks on your sacred mind
I once had a child and it saved my life
but whom I never even gave a name
I just looked into his wondrous eyes
and said, "never never never again"
all too soon I did return
just like a moth to a flame
so rattle my bones all over the stones
because I'm only a beggar-man whom nobody owns
see how words as old as sin
fit me like a glove
I'm here and here I'll stay
together we lie, together we pray
there never need be longing in your eyes
as long as the hand that rocks the cradle is mine

---

The Headmaster Ritual

Belligerent ghouls
run Manchester schools
spineless swines
cemented minds
Sir leads the troops
jealous of youth
same old suit since 1962
he does the military two-step
down the nape of my neck
I wanna go home
I don't want to stay
give up education
as a bad mistake
mid-week on the playing fields
Sir thwacks you on the knees
knees you in the groin
elbow in the face
bruises bigger than dinner plates
I wanna go home
I don't want to stay
Belligerent ghouls
run Manchester schools
spineless bastards all
Sir leads the troops
jealous of youth
same old jokes since 1902
he does the military two-step
down the nape of my neck
I wanna go home
I don't want to stay
give up life
as a bad mistake
please excuse me from gym

I've got this terrible cold coming on
he grabs and devours
he kicks me in the showers
kicks me in the showers
and he grabs and devours
I wanna go home
I don't want to stay

---

The Queen Is Dead

Farewell to this lands cheerless marshes
hemmed in like a boar between arches
her very Lowness with a head in a sling
I'm truly sorry - but it sounds like a wonderful thing
dear Charles, don't you ever crave
to appear on the front of the Daily Mail
dressed in your Mother's bridal veil?

So, I checked all the registered historical facts
and I was shocked into shame to discover
how I'm the 18th pale descendant
of some old queen or other
oh, has the world changed, or have I changed?
oh, has the world changed, or have I changed?
as some 9 year old tough who peddles drugs
I never even knew what drugs were
 
And so, I broke into the palace
with a sponge and a rusty spanner
she said "Eh, I know you, and you cannot sing"
I said "That's nothing - you should hear me play piano"

We can go for a walk where it's quiet and dry
and talk about precious things
but when you're tied to your Mother's apron
no one talks about castration

We can go for a walk where it's quiet and dry
and talk about precious things
like love and law and poverty
oh, these are the things that kill me

We can go for a walk where it's quiet and dry
and talk about precious things
but the rain that flattens my hair
oh, these are the things that kill me

Passed the Pub that saps your body
and the church who'll snatch your money
and it's so lonely on a limb
the Queen is dead, boys
 
Passed the Pub that wrecks your body
and the church - all they want is your money
the Queen is dead, boys
you can trust me, boys
life is very long, when you're lonely
life is very long, when you're lonely
life is very long, when you're lonely
life is very long, when you're lonely

---

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Take me out tonight
where there's music and there's people
who are young and alive
driving in your car
I never never want to go home
because I haven't got one
anymore

Take me out tonight
because I want to see people
and I want to see lights
driving in your car
oh please don't drop me home
because it's not my home, it's their
home, and I'm welcome no more
and if a double-decker bus
crashes into us
to die by your side
is such a heavenly way to die
and if a ten ton truck
kills the both of us
to die by your side
the pleasure and the privilege is mine

Take me out tonight
oh take me anywhere, I don't care
and in the darkened underpass
I thought oh God, my chance has come at last
(but then a strange fear gripped me and I
just couldn't ask)

Take me out tonight
take me anywhere, I don't care
just driving in your car
I never never want to go home
because I haven't got one
I haven't got one

---

These Things Take Time

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the sacred wunderkind
you took me behind a dis-used railway line
and said "I know a place where we can go
Where we are not known"
and then you gave me something that I won't forget too soon
but I can't believe that you'd ever care
but these things take time
and I know that I'm
the most inept
that ever stepped

I'm spellbound, but a woman divides
and the hills are alive whit celibate cries
but you know where you came from, you know where
you're going and you know where you belong
you said I was ill, and you were not wrong
but I can't believe that you'd ever care
and so, you never cared
but these things take time
and I know that I'm
the most inept
that ever stepped

Oh the alcoholic afternoons
when we sat in your room
they meant more to me
than any living things on earth
they had more worth
than any living thing on earth

Vivid and in your prime
you will leave me behind
you will leave me behind

---

This Charming Man

Punctured bicycle
on a hillside desolate
will Nature make a man of me yet?

When in this charming car
this charming man

Why pamper life's complexities
when the leather runs smooth on the passenger seat?

I would go out tonight
but I haven't got a stitch to wear
this man said "it's gruesome
that someone so handsome should care"

a jumped-up pantry boy
who never knew is place
he said "return the ring"
he knows so much about these things
he knows so much about these things

---

This Night Has Opened My Eyes

In a river the colour of lead
emerse the baby's head
wrap her up in the News Of The World
dump her on a doorstep, girl
and I will never sleep again

You kicked and cried like a bullied child
a grown man of twenty-five
he said he'd cure your ills
but he didn't and he never will
so, save your life
because you've only got one

The dream has gone
but the baby is real
oh you did a good thing
she could have been a poet
or, she could have been a fool
oh you did a bad thing
and I'm not happy
and I'm not sad

A shoeless child on a swing
reminds you of your own again
she took away your troubles
oh but then again
she left pain
so, save your life
because you've only got one

The dream has gone
but the baby is real
oh you did a good thing
she could have been a poet
or, she could have been a fool
oh you did a bad thing
and I'm not happy
and I'm not sad

---

Unhappy Birthday

I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday
I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday
because you're evil
and you lie
and if you should die
I may feel slightly sad
(but I won't cry)
Loved and lost
and some may say
when usually it's Nothing
surely you're happy
it should be this way?
I say: "No, I'm gonna kill my dog"
and: "May the lines sag heavy
and deep tonight XXX"
I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday
I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday
because you're evil
and you lie
and if you should die
I may feel slightly sad
(But I won't cry)
Loved and lost
some people say
when usually it's Nothing
surely you're happy
it should be this way
I said "No"
and then I shot myself
so drink, drink drink
and be ill tonight
from the one you left behind
from the one you left behind
from the one you left behind
from the one you left behind

---

Unloveable

I know I'm unloveable
you don't have to tell me
I don't have much in my life
but take it - it's yours
I don't have much in my life
but take it - it's yours

I know I'm unloveable
you don't have to tell me
oh, message received
loud and clear
loud and clear
I don't have much in my life
but take it - it's yours

I know I'm unloveable
you don't have to tell me
for message received
loud and clear
loud and clear
message received
I don't have much in my life
but take it - it's yours

I wear black on the outside
because black is how I feel on the inside
I wear black on the outside
because black is how I feel on the inside

And if I seem a little strange
well, that's because I am
if I seem a little strange
that's because I am

But I know that you would like me
if only you could see me
if only you could meet me

I don't have much in my life
but take it - it's yours
I don't have much in my life
but take it - it's yours

---

Vicar In A Tu-Tu

I was minding my business
lifting some lead off
the roof of the Holy Name church
it was worthwhile living a laughable life
just to set my eyes on the blistering sight
of a vicar in a tu-tu
he's not strange
he just wants to live his life this way
a scanty bit of a thing
with a decorative ring
that wouldn't cover the head of a child
as Rose collects the money in a canister
who comes sliding down the bannister
the vicar in a tu-tu
he's not strange
he just wants to live his life this way

The monkish monsignor
with a head full of plaster
said: "My man, get your vile soul dry-cleaned"
as Rose counts the money in the canister
as natural as Rain
he dances again
vicar in a tu-tu

The next day in the pulpit
with Freedom and Ease
combating ignorance, dust and disease
as Rose counts the money in the canister
as natural as Rain
he dances again
the fabric of a tu-tu
any man could get used to
and I'm a living sign

---

Well I Wonder

Well I wonder
do you hear me when you sleep
I hoarsely cry

Well I wonder
do you see me when we pass?
I half-die

Please keep me in mind
please keep me in mind

Gasping - but somehow still alive
this is the fierce last stand of all I am

Gasping - dying - but somehow still alive
this is the final stand of all I am

Please keep me in mind

---

What Difference Does It Make

All men have secrets and here is mine
so let it be known
we have been through hell and high tide,
I can surely rely on you?
And yet you start to recoil
heavy words are so lightly thrown
but still I'd leap in front of a flying bullet for you

So what difference does it make?
so what difference does it make?
it makes none but now you have gone
and you must be looking very old tonight

The devil will find work for idle hands to do
I stole and i lied and why?
because you asked me to
but now you make me feel so ashamed
because I've only got two hands
well, I'm still fond of you

So what difference does it make?
so what difference does it make?
it makes none but you have gone
and your prejudice won't keep you warm tonight

So no more apologies
no more apologies
I'm too tired
I'm too sick and tired and i'm feeling very sick and ill today
but I'm still fond of you

---

What She Said

What she said:
"How come someone has noticed
that I'm dead
and decided to bury me
God knows, I'm ready"
What she said was sad
but then, all the rejection she's had
to pretend to be happy
could only be idiocy
What she said was not for the job or
lover that she never had
What she read
all heady books
she'd sit and prophesise
(it took a tattooed boy from
Birkenhead
to really really open her eyes)
What she read
all heady books
she'd sit and prophesise
(it took a tattooed boy from
Birkenhead
to really really open her eyes)
What she said:
"I smoke cos I'm hoping for an
early death
AND I NEED TO CLING TO SOMETHING!"
what she said:
"I smoke cos I'm hoping for an
early death
AND I NEED TO CLING TO SOMETHING!"

---

William It Was Really Nothing

The rain falls hard on a humdrum town
this town has dragged you down
oh, the rain falls hard on a humdrum town
this town has dragged you down
and everybody's got to live their life
and God knows I've got to live mine
God knows I've got to live mine
William, William it was really nothing
William, William it was really nothing

How can you stay with a fat girl who'll say:
"Would you like to marry me
and if you like you can buy the ring"
she doesn't care about anything
would you like to marry me
and if you like you can buy the ring
I don't dream about anyone
William, William it was really nothing
William, William

---

You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby

If you're wondering why
all the love that you long for eludes you
and people are rude and cruel to you
I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why
you just haven't earned it yet, baby
you just haven't earned it, son
you just haven't earned it yet, baby
you must suffer and cry for a longer time
you just haven't earned it yet, baby
and I'm telling you now
if you're wondering why
when all I wanted from life
was to be famous
I have tried for so long, it's all gone wrong
I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why
but you wouldn't believe me
you just haven't earned it yet, baby
you just haven't earned it yet, son
you just haven't earned it yet, baby
and I'm telling you now
today I am remembering the time
when they pulled me back and held me down
and looked me in the eyes and said
you just haven't earned it yet, baby
you just haven't earned it, son
you just haven't earned it yet, baby
you must stay on your own for slightly longer
you just haven't earned it yet, baby
and I'm telling you now

---

You've Got Everything Now

As merry as the days were long
I was right and you were wrong
back at the old grey school
I would win and you would lose
but you've got everything now
you've got everything now
and what a terrible mess I've made of my life
oh what a mess I've made of my life
no, I've never had a job
because I've never wanted one
I've seen you smile
but I've never really heard you laugh
so who is rich and who is poor?
I cannot say
You are your Mother's only son
and you're a desperate one
but I don't want a lover
I just want to be seen
in the back of your car

A friendship sadly lost?
well this is true
and yet, it's false
did I ever tell you, by the way
I never did like your face
but you've got everything now
you've got everything now
and what a terrible mess I've made of my life
oh what a mess I've made of my life
no, I've never had a job
because I'm too shy
I've seen you smile
but I've never really heard you laugh
so who is rich and who is poor?
I cannot say
You are your Mother's only son
and you're a desperate one
but I don't want a lover
I just want to be tied
to the back of your car
to the back of your car
to the back of your car
to the back of your car

---

Mainpage    Albums

---