Artist: Jethro Tull Album: 20 Years Of Jethro Tull The Definitive Collection - Flawed Jems And The Other Side Of Tull [Disc 2] {1988} Disc 1 Disc 3

I�ll see you at the weighing-in when you�re life�s sum-total�s made
And you set your wealth in godly deeds against the sins you�ve laid
So, you place your final burden on your hard-pressed next of kin
Send the chamber pot back down the line to be filled up again
Take your mind off your election and try to get it straight
And don�t pretend perfection, you�ll be crucified too late

And I say you really should make the deal as he offers round the hat
Well, you better lick your fingers clean, I'll thank you all for that
And as you join the good ship earth and you mingle with the dust
Be sure to leave your underpants with someone you can trust
And the hard-headed social worker who bathes his hands in blood
Will welcome you with arms held high and cover you with mud
And he�ll say you really should make the deal as he offers round the hat
Well, you better lick your fingers clean, well, I'll thank you all for that

Scenario

In long years of ancient time stood alone a friend of mine
Reflected by the ever-burning sigh of a god who happened by

And in the dawn, there came the song
Of some sweet lady singing in his ear
Your god has gone and from now on
You'll have to learn to hate the things you fear

We want to know, are we inside the womb
Of Passion Plays, in thy righteousness consumed
Or just in lush contentment of our souls

And so began the age of man and they left his body in the sand
Their glasses raised to a god on high who smiled upon them from the sky

So, take the stage, spin down the ages
Loose the passion, spill the rage upon your son
Who holds the gun up to your head
The play's begun

Then God, the director, smells a rat
Pulls another rabbit from His hat
Sniffs the air and He says, "Well, that's that - I'm going."

Audition

The actors milling helplessly
The script is blowing out to sea
But what the hell, we didn't even pass an audition
The lines you'll have to improvise
The words are written in the eyes
Of politicians who despise their fathers
And so the play necessitates
That all you boys participate
In fierce competition to eliminate each other

And groupies on their way to war
Get to write the next film score
But the rock and roll star knows his glory is really nothing
Men of religion on the make
Pledge an oath they undertake
To make you wise for God's own sake and none other

While ladies get their bedding done
To win themselves a bouncing son
But bad girls do it for the fun of just being
And me, I'm here to sing along
And I'm not concerned with righting wrongs
Just asking questions that belong without an answer
But God is laughing up his sleeve
As He pours himself another cup of tea
And He waves goodbye to you and me, at least for now

No Rehearsal

Did you learn your lines today, well, there is no rehearsal
The tickets have all been sold for tomorrow's matinee
There's a telegram from the writer, but there is no rehearsal
The electrician has been told to make the spotlights brighter
There is one seat in the circle, five hundred million in the stalls
Simply everyone will be there, but the safety curtain falls
When the bomb that's in the dressing room blows the windows from their frames
And the prompter in his corner is sorry that he came

There is one seat in the circle, five hundred million in the stalls
Simply everyone will be there, but the safety curtain falls
When the bomb that's in the dressing room blows the windows from their frames
And the prompter in his corner is sorry that he came

When the bomb that's in the dressing room blows the windows from their frames
And the prompter in his corner is sorry that he came
Did you learn your lines today, well, there is no rehearsal
The interval will last until the ice-cream lady melts away
The twelve piece orchestra are here, but there is no rehearsal
The first violinist's hands are chilled, he's gone deaf in both ears
Well, the scenery is colorful, but the paint is so damn thin
You see the wall behind is crumbling and the stage door is bricked in
But the audience keep arriving till they're standing in the wings
And we take the final curtain call and the ceiling crashes in

Have you ever stood in an April wood and called the new year in
While the phantoms of three thousand years fly as the dead leaves spin
There's a snap in the grass behind your feet and a tap upon your shoulder
And the thin wind crawls along your neck - it's just the old gods getting older
And the kestrel drops like a fall of shot and the red cloud hanging high
A come a Beltane, a come a Beltane

Have you ever loved a lover of the old elastic truth
And doted on the daughter in her ministry of youth
Thrust your head between the breasts of the fertile innocent
And taken up the cause of love for the sake of argument
Or while the kisses drop like a fall of shot from soft lips in the rain
A come a Beltane

A happy old new year to you and yours
The sun's up for one more day, to be sure
Play it out gladly, for your card's marked again

Have you walked around your parks and towns, so knife-edged orderly
While the fires are burned on the hills upturned in far-off wild country
And felt the chill on your window sill as the green man comes around
With his walking cane of sweet hazel, brings it crashing down
Sends your knuckles white as the thin stick bites, well, it's just your groaning pains
A come a Beltane, a come a Beltane, a come a Beltane, a come a Beltane
A come a Beltane, a come a Beltane, a come a Beltane, a come a Beltane
A come a Beltane, a come a Beltane, a come a Beltane, a come a Beltane

Walking on air, shoulder and head above you
Down in the street, black canyons walking through
Hooded sad eyes fixed on your shuffle shoes
Life is a clue in your crossword

Typewriter turk, telephone terror takes 
Time to wind down, push-button finger shakes
City of dreams, back to your quiet nightmare
Your life is a clue in the crossword

Working to rule in your own time
Drag yourself home to your star sign page
Staying awake on cold yesterday's steak and warm beer

Ladder of string climbing to sweet success
Homework aside, your brain on the train to test
Pick up the news you left on the seat beside you
Your life is a clue in the crossword
Life is a clue in the crossword
Your life is a clue in the crossword

They left me, leaving my house on fire, me running round - got out through the window
While clinging to the skirts of fate was not my idea of fun I jump to it gladly

The town was filled with smoke and hate
Came to my senses just too late
To realize that all I ever owned
Was borrowed, I thanked them for having shown
Me that nothing ever really belongs to anyone

They burned my books and they broke my car
And gave the dog to a man who used him for breeding
They felled my trees and they trampled flowers
And threw the kitten into my new pool
The same things done to other men had made them run away from the city
This being the case, I joined them there and breathing air spent the night with these new friends

The town was filled with smoke and hate
Came to my senses just too late
To realize that all I ever owned
Was borrowed, I thanked them for having shown
Me that nothing ever really belongs to anyone

Cold aeroplanes, slow boats, warm trains remind me of Jack-A-Lynn
Lush hotels and pretty girls won't cheer the misty mood I'm in
Silly, sad - I've never had to write this before, oh, Jack-A-Lynn

Funny how long nights allow thoughts of Jack-A-Lynn
When phantoms tread around my bed to offer restless dreams they bring
And it's just the time and place to find a sad song to play for Jack-A-Lynn

Magpies that shriek, old boots that leak call me to Jack-A-Lynn
Coal-black cats in policeman's hats nosing where the mice have been
And the long meow�s beginning now and I'm far, far from home and Jack-A-Lynn, yeah

Jack, Jack-A-Lynn, oh, Jack, Jack-A-Lynn, Jack, Jack-A-Lynn, Jack, Jack-A-Lynn
Jack, Jack-A-Lynn, Jack, Jack, Jack-A-Lynn, Jack, Jack-A-Lynn, Jack, Jack-A-Lynn

Out on the fast and freeway humming along through a build-up ad-man's dream
Streaking past in a cloud of spray goes the high-performance motor queen
And she looks round at me reflecting neon in her motoreyes
And now the chase is on, I know who'll be the loser - me

See the end curve coming, then we're back on the street through the late theater crowds
And the stop lights go and we're cruising side by side, still humming loud
And she looks round again, her motoreyes going to tell me when
Put her right foot to the floor, shows me she's no slow woman

She takes her cafe noir, smokes small cigars, showing just a touch of thigh - sigh
And sips her whiskey straight and she stays up late to kiss the morning bye-bye

Now, we're out of town, going to shake her down if I could stay along
Got my blue light on, put her in the net with my siren song
Pulls over to the side, her motoreyes are staring wide
She flashes her I.D. and makes a bigger fool of me

Motoreyes, motoreyes, motoreyes, motoreyes
Motoreyes, motoreyes, motoreyes, motoreyes
Motoreyes, motoreyes, motoreyes

INSTRUMENTAL

I have to call you up, think I've seen a vision of rhythm in gold
No cat could ever move that way, no puss would dare to be so bold
Must tell the boys to follow you, catch you where you go to ground, whoa
A lady of means, I can see rhythm in gold is getting to me
What's your name and where would I find you

Are you just a rich man's friend or was it always in the family, whoa
You seem to throw the challenge down by the way you didn't even look at me
Put the boys on you, immobilize your nine-eleven

There's nothing I could do for you that would really matter much anyway, whoa
You belong to everyone, rhythm in gold's the number that you play
Put the boys on you, sabotage your nine-eleven

Everybody's jumping on the circus train
Well, some jump high, some jump off again
And the razzmatazz is rolling, women folk unveiled
All truths to light, all crosses nailed
Aiming high where the eagle circles
Where he keeps his tail feathers clean
And wonders, "Am I still a free bird
Or just a part of the machine?"

They hitch their covered wagons and they roll out west
Politics in the pockets of their Sunday best
Shaking hands, kissing babies for all that they're worth
Oh, they promise you gold, promise heaven on earth
Still, that old bald eagle circles
It's not the first time that he's seen
His reflection in the eyes of innocence
He's become just another part of the machine, part of the machine

I wish I had an eagle like you to look up to
He could be my wings to fly in a big bird sky
Up above the whole machine

Part of the machine, part of the machine
Smart guys aren't running, they're home and dry
Up in the mountains where the eagle flies
They wouldn't take that job offered on a plate
They got to fly with the eagle, he won't wait
Looking down on the smoke and the factories
Till the truth creeps up, unseen
They see themselves in the faces of their children
And realize they too are part of the machine, part of the machine

I wish I had an eagle like you, oh, to wake up to
He could be my wings to fly in a big bird sky
Hey, let's be part of the machine
Part of the machine, part of the machine, part of the machine
I wanna be part of your machine, well, I wanna be part of your machine
Part of your machine, part of your machine

When we're working nights, the village round
The old church becomes scary town
All curtained windows and bolted doors
But never a eye to see
As us fairy folks sweep from the hill
Never caught us and never will
Pulling roses and daffodils
Mayhem in the high degree

The blacksmith chased us all to ground
He searched all night, we were never found
The tinker boys and the sheriff's men
Shaking the tallest tree
And we sat and watched the women hide
Laughed so much we split our sides
Scattered horses that they would ride
Mayhem in the high degree

We crossed through fields of midnight green
Often heard but seldom seen
Tore along hedges, stripping leaves
No-one could quite agree
Whether we came from north or south
We stole the screams from out their mouths
And go where no man would allow
Mayhem in the high degree

Like scaly carp and feathered swan
To nature's world we do belong
We ride the thin winds of the night
And set dark spirits free
We terrify the mare and foal
The fox stood still and far too bold
So we strung him up, brush neatly folded
Mayhem, maybe

Good morning, gentlemen, why the uneasy frowns
Too much everything and I can't recall, did I let you down
Nobody will answer me, make me feel that I want to die
My mind is inclined to lie
Oh, no - think I did it last night again
Oh, no - been out on the overhang again

My hotel room was a battleground, how did I find my way
My wallet's gone and my jacket's torn, my memory's a hazy grey
Do I seem to remember now, two creatures about eight feet tall
No safety net to break my fall
Oh, no - must have done it last night again
Oh, no - crawled out on the overhang again
Been out on the overhang, out on the overhang

Watching demons and spirits glide, heading out to the nearest star
Better lead me back to the bar
Oh, no - might do it tonight again
Oh, no - crawled out on the overhang again
Been out on the overhang, crawling out on the overhang
Been out on the overhang, out on the overhang
Out on the overhang, out on the overhang, out on the overhang

There was a warm wind with the high tide on the south side of the hill
When a young girl went a-walking and I followed with a will
"Good day to you, my fine young lady with your lips so sweetly full
May I help you comb your long hair, sweep it from that brow, so cool."

Up, ride with the kelpie
I'll steal your soul to the deep
If you don't ride with me while the devil's free
I'll ride with somebody else

Well, I'm a man when I'm feeling the urge to step ashore
So I may charm you, not alarm you, tell you all fine things and more

Up, ride with the kelpie
I'll steal your soul to the deep
If you don't ride with me while the devil's free
I'll ride with somebody else

Say goodbye to all your dear kin, for they hate to see you go
In your young prime, to this place of mine in the still loch far below

Up, ride with the kelpie
I'll steal your soul to the deep
If you don't ride with me while the devil's free
I'll ride with somebody else
Up, ride with the kelpie
I'll steal your soul to the deep
If you don't ride with me while the devil's free
I'll ride with somebody else

The bomb's in the china, the fat's in the fire
There's no turkey left on the table
The commuter's return on the six o'clock flyer
Brings no bale of hay for the stable
Well, the light, it is failing along the green belt
As we follow the hard road signs
Semi-detached in our suburban-ness
We're living in these hard times

Well, the fly's in the milk and the cat's in the stew
Another bun in the oven - oh, what to do
We'll laugh and we'll sing and try to bring
A pound from your pocket, good day to you
Oh, these hard times

The politicians sat on the wall
And trade with the union game
Someone slapped a writ on our deficit
Not a penny left to our name
Oh, the times are hard and the credits lean
And they toss and they turn in sleep
And the line they take is the line they make
But it's not the line they keep

Well, the fly's in the milk and the cat's in the stew
Another bun in the oven - oh, what to do
We'll laugh and we'll sing and try to bring
A pound from your pocket, good day to you
Oh, these hard times

The cow jumped over yesterday's moon
And the lock ran away with the key
You know what you like and you like what you know
But there is no jam for tea
Well, the light, it is failing along the green belt
As we follow the hard road signs
Semi-detached in our suburban-ness
We're living in these hard times

Well, the fly's in the milk and the cat's in the stew
Another bun in the oven - oh, what to do
We'll laugh and we'll sing and try to bring
A pound from your pocket, good day to you
Oh, these hard times
We're living in these hard times

Keep it quiet, go slow
Circulate, need to know
Stamp the date upon your file
Masquerade, but well worth while
Wrapped in the warmth of you
Wrapped up in your smile
Wrapped in the folds of your attention

Wear an air, keep mum
Of casual indifference
Careful how you go
About your usual business
Wrapped in the warmth of you
Wrapped up in your smile
Wrapped in the folds of your attention
Under wraps, oh - I've got you under wraps
Under wraps, yeah - I've got you under wraps
Under wraps

I�ll tell you when - not yey
Soon the great unveiling
Bless my boots upon my souls
Secrecy, it is my failing
Wrapped in the warmth of you
Wrapped up in your smile
Wrapped in the folds of your attention
Under wraps, oh - I've got you under wraps
Under wraps, oh - I've got you under wraps
Under wraps, yeah - I've got you under wraps
Under wraps, oh

Brain-storming, habit-forming, battle-warning
Weary, winsome actor spewing spineless, chilling lines
The critics falling over to tell themselves he's boring
And really not an awful lot of fun
Well, who the hell can he be when he's never had V.D.
And he doesn't even sit on toilet seats
Court-jesting, never-resting
He must be very cunning to assume an air of dignity
And bless us all with his oratory prowess
His lame-brained antics and his jumping in the air
And every night his act's the same
And so it must be all a game of chess he's playing

But you're wrong, Steve - you see, it's only solitaire

Salamander born in a sun-kissed flame
Who was it lit your candle
Branded you with your name
I see you walking by my window
In your Kensington haze
Salamander, salamander, salamander
Burn for me and I'll burn for you

Oh, the leaded window opened to move the dancing candle flame
And the first moths of summer suicidal came, oh, suicidal came
And a new breeze chattered in its May-bud tenderness
Sending water-lilies sailing as she turned to get undressed
And the long night awakened and we soared on powdered wings
Circling our tomorrows in the wary month of Spring
Chasing shadows, slipping in the magic lantern slide
Creatures of the candle on a night-light-ride
Dipping and weaving, flutter through the golden needle's eye
In our haystack madness, butterfly-stroking on a Spring-tide high, oh, on a Spring-tide high

"Life's too long," as the Lemming said
As the candle burned and the moths were wed
And we'll all burn together as the wick grows higher
Before the candle's dead

Oh, the leaded window opened to move the dancing candle flame
And the first moths of summer suicidal came, oh, suicidal came
To join in the worship of the light that never dies
In a moment's reflection of two moths spinning in her eyes

Tip-toes in silence round my bed
And quiets the raindrops overhead

With her everlasting smile
She stills my fever for awhile
Oh, nursie dear
I'm glad you're here
To brush away my pain