My Little Shirtwaist Fire

Once it started

The frail and fainthearted

Just withered to the floor

Oh, so sadly

We examined hands burned badly

By that which no man fears more

The terrible flames of

All that remains of

My Little Shirtwaist Fire

My best friend

Was alone in the alcove

Does anyone see her there?

Such a sweet face

Trapped in a staircase

By the smell of her own burning hair and the

Terrible flames of

All that remains of

My Little Shirtwaist Fire

Glow baby glow as the embers they died there

Nobody knows what we saw inside there

Twisting and burning

the girls' fine young bodies

Yes, we're burning can you help us please?

Yes, we're begging, we're on bended knees

Oh, My Little Shirtwaist Fire

Girls work hard for

Small rewards or

Invitations to dine.

Or one kind word from

One who loves them but

What I have earned is mine

The terrible flames of

All that remain of

My Little Shirtwaist Fire

Glow baby glow as the embers they died there

Nobody knows what we saw inside there

Twisting and burning, the girls' fine young bodies

Yes, we're burning can you help us please?

Yes, we're begging, we're on bended knees

Oh, My Little Shirtwaist Fire

Stumpside

All that I have is this dull paring knife

Peeling potatoes for the rest of my life

Dirt floors make dust so I hope for the best

I carry candies with pains in my chest

Face tied together with three times used string

Follow me see what I mean

Fixing a fencepost or feeding a cow

Two penny saltlick I never ask how

Animals like me though folks turn away

I like the pigeons I like what they say

Face tied together with three times used string

Follow me see what I mean

We come alone and leave alone and look the horse in the mouth

We scratch the skin and break the bone and see birds migrating south.

By the side of the stump where she told us these things

If you hear a bell ring you get some wings.

Don't bother looking for what I've neglected to bring.

By the side of the stump where she told us these things

If you hear a bell ring you get some wings.

She's fallen farther than feathers that float in the wind.

I saw a wishing well down by the stream

I never understood what wishes mean

Just ask for nothing you get what you get.

I asked for something I've not got it yet.

Face tied together with three times used string

Follow me see what I mean

We come alone and leave alone and look the horse in the mouth

We scratch the skin and break the bone and see birds migrating south.

By the side of the stump where she told us these things

If you hear a bell ring you get some wings.

Don't bother looking for what I've neglected to bring.

By the side of the stump where she told us these things

If you hear a bell ring you get some wings.

She's fallen farther than feathers that float in the wind.

Nozzle

Nozzle, nodule, eraser, chip: a few thoughts on the subject by a little nothing. What was so obviously strange, yet mystifyingly true about the whole situation, was Miss Connie Pallups failure to grasp that the time was indeed now if she was to ever recover vitality to her immortal envelope. Oh sure, she liked perfume and she had a lot of it, too. But pampered wisps do not a clothdoll make. And there we have a lesson that is easier to speak of than it is to, how you say, live by?

Transylvanian Concubine

If you want to know how

To fly high, then go now

To the place where all the concubines....

Meet and converse with them

Marvel at their pale skin

Wonder how they chew on their pointy....

Teeth and hair are beauty

They know it's their duty

To be countess in their hearts and their....

Minds that have to whisper

See in them a sister

Look into their eyes and you'll be a

Transylvanian Concubine

You know what flows here like wine

Sorrow is their master

Cackling with laughter

Now he's having just one piece of....

Cakey is their make up

Catholics try to shake up

All the things that form their lives, but they're....

Dead, their sighs, their songs

They know what they do is wrong

Stay here with us

it's just time

Transylvanian Concubine

Candelabra's lighted

Satan has been sighted

Never has there been an evening like....

This is what they wanted

Always to feel hunted

You can never be too rich or too....

Thin, the blood has run out

Fangs ruin any cute pout

Morning has come now they've flown

What have you learned from what has been shown?

Why Don't You Do Right?

You had plenty money 1922

You let other women make a fool of you

Why don't you do right

Like some other men do?

Sitting there wondering what it's all about

If you ain't got no money they are going to

Put you out

Why don't you do right

Like some other men do?

Get out of here and

Bring me some money too?

I fell for your jive and I took you in

Now all you got to offer me's a fifth of gin

Why don't you do right

Like some other men do?

Why don't you get out of here and

Bring me some money too?

Mr. E. Leon Rauis

I keep pictures of him in my mind yeah you know the kind they curl up on the edges, the corners are bended into a trick pulled from behind.

Physically he is serene he looks good he looks clean yeah I know he's dead but I know what he said and I think I might know what he mean.

With many thanks for your well, well wishes he says believe me, sincerely yours Mr. E Leon Rauis would say it's sentiment which he abhors.

Seventeen Union Square North did he walk back and forth in the glass at the shop did he smile did he stop for awhile did he question his worth?

Seventeen Union Square West dressed up looking his best Mr. E. Leon Rauis could never know how this would seem his one small request.

With many thanks for your well, well wishes he says believe me, sincerely yours Mr. E Leon Rauis would say it's sentiment which he abhors.

Regretfully so he still wants you to know of the things in his heart he can't say.

His penmenship does a disservice

It's illegible to this day.

Oh, Mr. E. Leon Rauis believe me

I hope it all turned out okay

Picking a shop for the shoot did he buy a new suit? Was he tall, was he kind, did he finally find it that day, was his end absolute? He got old like everyone, was he somebody's son? Did he fail, did he try to succeed or deny what he knew or things he had done?

With many thanks for your well, well wishes he says believe me, sincerely yours Mr. E Leon Rauis would say it's sentiment which he abhors.

The Donner Party

The similarities and situations between the Donner Party and the colonial Pilgrims is both appalling, frightening, and incomplete. In both cases you'll find, one, a fairly large group of ill-prepared greenhorns pitting themselves against nature and each other, two, an insufficient willingness to endure the very real hardships of frontiering and, three, coinsidential misfortune at every turn. Number three, coinsidential misfortune at every turn. Disasters at both camps were initially brought about by departure, delay, and desert inertia; which caused our heroes to begin their journeys at absolutely retarded times weatherwise. If fantasy is the refuge of a frightened man, and a castle in the air is a safe harbor for a foolish few, just imagine living in a hut buried twelve feet below the snow, with the sight and smell of the scattered carcasses of loved ones at your feet; it is the lay of the land, just another day. I would like to propose that cannibalism was indeed rampant among America's earliest settlers: The Pilgrims. For what does settler imply, if not the willingness to settle? To settle for a meal of human flesh if my thoughts on the subject are to be believed. In conclusion, spread the word of this. Look to the night sky, and hark back to our forefathers' shortcomings, and your own, as you cut your meat and lay the groundwork for a new tomorrow.

Endomorph

Morning has broken and what do I see but

those same bloody fingerprints following me

it don't pay to be careful don't pay to be nice

So it's backwards and forwards and back again twice

I don't think I'll try it again.

Guilty was all that I felt until now

Go ahead say I'm wrong

but I'm curious how all you people get up

and then don't arrive late

Do you pray every day and then patiently wait?

I don't think I'll try again

I'm known as The Endomorph

I'm slow, I go back and forth

I'm known as The Endomorph

Punishment comes for no reason I've seen

then it stays for a while keeping quiet

between what you said would take place if my big mouth was shut

and I pray every day, and it's all okay

but I don't think I'll try again.

I'm known as The Endomorph

I'm slow, I go back and forth

I'm known as The Endomorph

I'm known as The Endomorph

Brand New Key

I rode my bicycle past your window last night

I rollerskated to your door at daylight

It almost seems like you're avoiding me

I'm okay alone but you've got something I need

I've got a brand new pair of rollerskates

You've got a brand new key

I think that we should get together and try them on to see

I've been lookin around awhile

you've got something for me

I've got a brand new pair of rollerskates

You got a brand new key

I ride my bike, I rollerskate don't drive no car

Don't go so fast, but I go pretty far

For somebody who don't drive, I've been all around the world

Some people say I done alright for a girl

I asked your mother if you were at home

She said yes, but that you weren't alone

It almost seems like you're avoiding me

I'm okay alone but you got something I need

I've got a brand new pair of rollerskates

You've got a brand new key

I think that we should get together and try them on to see

I've got a brand new pair of rollerskates

You've got a brand new key

Crybabies

Two big babies met

on a winter's day

they thought they'd get

all dressed up to play

So they went outside

never to return

they laugh

they hide

Babies never learn

but they cry and they cry

Who said babies never die?

they cry

Who said babies never die?

One pushed the other down

into the salty snow

he looked around

no one would ever know

Bad things happen to babies all the time

They laugh at who kisses then times nine

but they cry and they cry

Who said babies never die?

they cry

Who said babies never die?

Howard Hughes

He want you to put this plate of crumbs back into the frigerator

When you do, he wants you to make sure to bring this plate with dessert later

Stand to the right

Give him a bite

Insulate the bed

Shoot him up when he's dead.

He wants you to take a box kleenex and cut it with a knife

Use a stack of tissues for each hand

killing germs could save his life

Climb into the cockpit

He drops his pants to grin

Just act like it's nothing

Just nod and smile at him.

Howard Hughes pops a valium blue

and he reclines the naked chair

and watches just one more movie

Howard Hughes has got something on you

when the fingers grow long

And the toenails they wrap around him

Howard Hughes

What he did

What he'd do

He wants you to seal windows and doors of his hotel room with tape

He will be alowed to pee on floors

cause his codeine constipates.

Listen to him moan

About a multi million loan

Don't answer the phone.

It's been a long time since he's flown.

Howard Hughes pops a valium blue

and he reclines the naked chair

and watches just one more movie

Howard Hughes has got something on you

when the fingers grow long

And the toenails they wrap around him

Howard Hughes

What he did

What he'd do

Howard Hughes pops a valium blue

and he reclines the naked chair

and watches just one more movie

Howard Hughes has got something on you

when the fingers grow long

And the toenails they wrap around him

Howard Hughes

What he did

What he'd do

Sister Sleep

We like to smoke pot

We like it a lot

Our small eyes are tearing for what we have not

Our small eyes are tearing for what we have not

The nice pipe is here

A lighter is near

I won't become freaked out

fear not

sister dear

I won't become freaked out

fear not

sister dear

We miss the blue sky

It is cold

we will cry

Our being mind is waning and we now know why

Our being mind is waning and we now know why

We want to feel warm

yet outside the norm

We want to be a cradle held

and then to be reborn.

Five Fleas

Five fleas band together against all odds to form a new company. A new company, performing treachery, translations, advice to givers, and other varied services. Starting in new business in any climate is always very very difficult. But these stars had charisma, had it, the extra x-quotient, the pure, unadulterated scheltsbar that put them head and shoulders above the rest. What they lacked, however, was backing. So if you know anybody....

Any Old Actress

They saw her break through barriers forty feet high

It was the finest moment in a long life

Young boys would hang her pictures over their bed

They saw her mouth move but they couldn't hear what she said

You're a souvenir a darling dear

She used to say that kind of thing

You're a mantlepiece with strong beliefs

Only her black rainbow meant something

Don't cry for her now

Oh yeah

Don't cry for her

Oh yeah

I saw the sailor talking with the cops

I saw the sailor walking with the cops

First comes the nurse, just got back from war

She had a feather in her cap

That's all she wore

Then comes the mother and she's got a friend

And they start yelling at you and that's how it all began

It's one of those things you should not try at home

What's meant by intentional falls can never be known

Any old actress worth her salt outta know

The higher you are you want to see what's below

And old actress worth her salt outta know

The higher you are you want to see what's below

And old actress worth her salt outta know

Dig Ophelia

Dig Ophelia

consider it dug

Flowers madness and polar bear rug

Here's the water, just ankle deep high

Lay back relax and look up at the sky.

Your eyes never close

your mind's not at rest

Lay back, get waterlogged

Give us a kiss

Water spreads the small seed

Water kills the tall weed

Ophelia

Cut the stem and you'll see how you feel

Floating orchids just ain't no big deal

Never knowing's like knowing too much

Tap the table, oh here's more bad luck

Your eyes never close

your mind's not at rest

Lay back, get waterlogged

Give us a kiss

Water spreads the small seed

Water kills the tall weed

Ophelia

Ophelia

Kate Moss

If you think real hard about the aches, the card, the blackboard that you've drawn on for so long. You realize that it's gone, and with it that swan song, the mirror of your life has turned to shards. If that means broken glass, you won't have the chance to laugh at those who always laughed at you. Think back, yes it's cool, to jump up and be through, when even worser things have come to pass.

Rusty The Skatemaker

She was born in an oil-drum South side of Chicago

When East St. Louis was not far away

She'd lace knives to her boots and go down to the riverbed

Skate around and around till the night became day

The cannery fellows would follow her everywhere

From the grocery store to the B.Q.E.

With their hearts all aglow from her icy back at you stare

Then her teeth became tight when her eyes couldn't see

And she told herself that this was enough

For a girl who was born in an oil drum

She had her skates didn't need lots of stuff

She didn't need it but she still wanted some

She had one thing that she liked and she kept around

She would take it with her to the riverbed

As she skated around she always thought of a pretty sound that she heard as a girl in her mother's bed

The sound of some breathing another breath in and out when some lungs expand and contract like they do

And she looked at herself in the ice of the riverbed and she saw a girl one which she could see through

And she told herself that this was enough

For a girl who was born in an oil drum

She had her skates didn't need lots of stuff

She didn't need it but she still wanted some

she still wanted some she still needed some

she still wanted some she still needed some

Trust All-Stars

You're not the boy that you say you are

You come from outerspace you drive a rental car

Thanks but no thanks just the same

Time was when this became obvious

You're eyes were never clear

you did not eat enough

Strangely afraid of the rain

Trust all stars

Never ask your way around

Buffalo is Venus

Texas is a town

Planets we know do come and go

When meltable aliens run toward the snow

Missions are fine but piece of mind

Won't come from a boyfriend who lies all the time

Alien wishes won

Damn the sight

Scanning those soggy skies

with a small reading light

harder to see late at night

Millions of listeners close their ears

Hoping their dinner's warm

stifling sunny cheers

Wait till dinner's done to start to fight

Trust all stars

Never ask your way around

Buffalo is Venus

Texas is a town

Planets we know do come and go

When meltable aliens run toward the snow

Missions are fine but piece of mind

Won't come from a boyfriend who lies all the time