You cannot stand what I’ve become, you much prefer the gentleman I was before. I was so easy to defeat. I was so easy to control. I didn’t even know there was a war. Why don’t you come on back to the war? Don’t be embarrassed. Why don’t you come on back to the war? You can still get married.
There is a war between the rich and poor, a war between the man and the woman. There is a war between the left and right, a war between the black and white, a war between the odd and the even. Why don’t you come on back to the war? Take up your tiny burden. Why don’t you come on back to the war? It’s just beginning. Why don’t you come on back to the war? Let’s all get even.
IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED
You were the promise at dawn
I was the morning after
You were Jesus Christ, my Lord
I was the money-lender
You were the sensitive woman
I was Sigmund Freud
You were the manual orgasm
I was the dirty little boy
And is this what you wanted
to live in a house that is haunted
by the ghost of you and me?
You were Marlon Brando
I was Steve McQueen
You were KY Jelly
I was Vaseline
You were the Father of Modern Medicine
I was Mr. Clean
You were the Whore and the Beast of Babylon
I was Rin Tin Tin
And is this what you wanted
to live in a house that is haunted
by the ghost of you and me?
You got old and wrinkled
I stayed seventeen
You lusted after many
I stayed here with one
You betrayed your solitude
I came through alone
You said that you could never love me
I undid your gown
And is this what you wanted
to live in a house that is haunted
by the ghost of you and me?
WHY DON’T YOU TRY
Why don’t you try to do without him, why don’t you try to live alone? Do you really need his hands for your passion? Do you really need his heart for your throne? Do you need his labour for your baby? Do you need his beast for the bone? Do you need to hold a leash to be a lady? I know that you can make it, you can make it on your own.
Why don’t you try to forget him? Just open up your dainty little hand? You know, this life is filled with many sweet companions, many satisfying one-night stands. Do you want to be the ditch around a tower? Do you want to be the moonlight in his cave? Do you want to give your blessings to his power as he goes whistling past his daddy, past his daddy’s grave?
I’d like to take you to the ceremony; that is, if I remember the way. Jack and Jill, they’re going to join their misery; I’m afraid it’s time for everyone to pray. You can see they’ve finally taken cover. They’re willing, they’re willing to obey. Their vows are difficult, they’re for each other. So let nobody put a loophole, put a loophole in their way.
I TRIED TO LEAVE YOU
I tried to leave you. I don’t deny. I closed the book on us at least a hundred times. I’d wake up every morning by your side.
The years go by. You lose your pride. The baby’s crying so you do not go outside. And all your work is right before your eyes.
Goodnight, my darling. I hope you’re satisfied. The bed is kind of narrow, but my arms are open wide. And here’s a man still working for your smile.
WHO BY FIRE?
Who by fire? Who by water? Who in the sunshine? Who in the night time? Who by high ordeal? Who by common trial? Who in your merry merry month of May? Who by very slow decay? And who shall I say is calling?
Who in her lonely slip? Who by barbiturate? Who in these realms of love? Who by something blunt? Who by avalanche? Who by powder? Who for his greed? Who for his hunger? And who shall I say is calling?
Who by brave ascent? Who by accident? Who in solitude? Who in this mirror? Who by his lady’s command? Who by his own hand? Who in mortal chains? Who in power? And who shall I say is calling?
A SINGER MUST DIE
The courtroom is quiet, but who will confess? Is it true you betrayed us? The answer is Yes. Then read me the list of the crimes that are mine. I will ask for the mercy that you love to decline. And all the ladies go moist, and the judge has no choice: a singer must die for the lie in his voice.
I thank you, I thank you for doing your duty, you keepers of Truth, you guardians of Beauty. Your vision is right. My vision is wrong. I’m sorry for smudging the air with my song. La la la la la la, la la la la la la
The night it is thick, and my defences are hid in the clothes of a woman I would like to forgive; in the rings of her silk, in the hinge of her thighs, where I had to go begging in beauty’s disguise. Goodnight, goodnight, my night after night, my night after night after night after night
I am so afraid, I listen to you. Your sun-glassed protectors they do that to you. It’s their ways to detain, it’s their ways to disgrace, their knee in your balls and their fist in your face. Yes, and long live the state! By whoever it’s made! Sir, I didn’t see nothing, I was just getting home late.
And save me a place in the twelve-dollar grave with those who took money for the pleasure they gave; with those always ready, with those who undressed so you could lay down with your head on somebody’s breast. And all the
