released in 1973
Tony Banks - Peter Gabriel - Mike Rutherford - 
Steve Hackett - Phil Collins


----------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BATTLE OF EPPING FOREST (Banks/Gabriel/Rutherford/Hackett/Collins)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Along the forest road, there's hundreds of cars - luxury cars
Each has got its load of convertible bars, cutlery cars - superscars!
For today is the day when they sort it out, sort it out
'cos they disagree on a gangland boundary
Cos they disagree on a gangland boundary

There's Willy Wright and his boys-one helluva noise, that's Billy's
 boys
With fully-fashioned mugs, that's Little John's thugs, the Barking
 Slugs - supersmugs!
For today is the day when they sort it out, sort it out
Yes, these Christian soldiers fight to protect the poor
East-edn heroes got to score in ...

the battle of Epping Forest
yes it's the Battle of Epping Forest
right outisde your door
No, you ain't seen nothing like it
No, you ain't seen nothing like it
not since the Civil war

Coming  over the hill are the boys of Bill
and Johnny's lads stand very still
With the thumpire's shout, they all start to clout
-there's no guns in this gentlemen's bout 
Georgie moves in on the outside left
with a chain flying round his head
and Harold Demure, from Art Leterature
nips up the nearest tree
(Here come the cavalry!)

Amidst the battle roar
accountants keep the score:  10-4
They've never been alone, after getting a radiophone
the bluebells are ringing fro Sweetmeal Sam, real ham
handing out bread and jam just like any picnic, picnic, picnic, picnic
It's 5-4 on William Wright; he made his pile on Derby night
Wehn Billy was a kid, walking the streets, the other kids hid-so they
 did!
Now, after working in security trade, he's got it made
The shops that need aid are those that haven't paid

"I do my double-show quick!" said Mick the Prick, fresh out of the nick
"I sell cheap holiday.  The minute they leave, then A visity I pay-
and it does pay!"
And his friend, Liquid Len by neame, of Wine Women and Wandsworth fame
said "I"m breaking the legs of the bastard that got me framed!
I'm breaking the legs of the bastard that got me framed!  Got me framed!"

They called me the reverand when I entered
the church unstained
My employers have change but the name has remained
It all began when I went on a tour
hoping to find some furniture
Followed a sign saying, "beautiful chest"
led to a lady who showed me her best
She was taken by surprise wehn I quickly closed my eyes
So she rang the bell, and quick as hell
Bob the Nob came out of his job
to see what the trouble was
"Louise, is the Reverend hard to please?"
"You're telling me!"
"Perhaps, sir, if it's not too lat,
we could interest you in our old-fashioned Staffordshire plate?"
"Oh no, not for me, I'm a man of repute."
But the Devil caught hold of my sould and a voice called out,
"SHOOT!"

To save my steeple, I visited people
for this I had gone when I met Little John
His name came, I understand
when the Judge said, "you're a robbing hood"
He told me of his strange foundation
conceived on sight of the Woodstock nation
he'd had to hide his reputation
When poor, 'twas salvation from door to door
But now, with a pin-up guru every week
it was Love, Peace & Truth Incorperated for all who seek

He employed me as a karmamechanic, with overal charms
His hands were then fit to receive, receive alms.

That's why we're in...
Battle of Epping Forest
yes, it's the Battle of Epping Forest,
right outside your door
We guard your souls for peanuts
and we guard your shops and houses
for just a little more
just a little more

In with a left hook is the Bethnal Gree Butcher
but he's countered on the right by Mick's chaingang fight
and Liquid Len, with his smashed bottle men,
is lobbing Bob the Nob across the gob
With his kisser in a mess.  bob seems under stress
but Jones the Jug hits Len right in the mug
and Harold Demure, who's still not quite sure
fires acorns from out of his sling
(Here come the cavalry!)

Up, up above the crowd 
inside their Silver Cloud, done proud
the bold and brazen brass, seen darkly through the glass
The butler's got jam on his Rolls; Roy doles out the lot
with tea from a silver post just like any picnic, picnic, picnic, picnic
Along the Forest Road, it's the end of the day and the Clouds roll away
Each has got its load-they'll come out for the cond
at the break-in of day

Wehn the limos return for their final review, it's all through
-all they can see is the morning goo
"There's no one left alive-it must be a draw."
So the Blackcap Barons toss a coin to setlle the score.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CINMEA SHOW (Banks/Gabriel/Rutherford/Hackett/Collins)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Home from work our Juliet
Clears her morning meal
She dabs her skin with pretty smells
Concealing to appeal
"I will make my bed"
She says, but turns to go
Can she be late for her Cinema Show?
                        Cinema Show?

Romeo locks his basement flat
And scurries up the stair
With head held high and floral tie
A weekend millionaire
"I will make my bed 
With her tonight", he cries
Can he fail armed with his chocolate surprise?

Take a little trip back with Father Tiresias
Listen to the old one speak of all he has lived through
'I have crossed between the poles, for me there's no mystery
Once a man, like the sea I raged
Once a woman, like the earth I gave
But there is in fact more Earth than sea"

[repeat once and advance to instrumental section]


----------------------------------------------------------------------
AISLE OF PLENTY (Banks/Gabriel/Rutherford/Hackett/Collins)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

"I don't belong here", said old Tessa out lout
"Easy, love, there's the safe way home"
-thakful for her Fine Fair discount
Tess Co-operates
Still alone in o-hell-o
-see the deadly nightshade grow

ENGLISH RIBS OF BEEF CUT DOWN TO 47P LB
PEEK FREANS FAMILY ASSORTED FROM 17 1/2P TO 12P
FAIRY LIQUID GIANT-SLAHED FROM 20P TO 17 1/2 P
TABLE JELLIES AT 4P EACH
ANCHOR BUTTER DOWN TO 11P FOR A 1/2 LB
BIRD'S EYE DAIRY CREAM SPONGE ON OFFER THIS WEEK

It's scrambled eggs


----------------------------------------------------------------------
DANCING WITH THE MOONLIT KNIGHT (Banks/Gabriel/Rutherford/Hackett/
---------------------------------Collins)-----------------------------

"Can you tell me where my country lies?"
Said the Unifaun to his true love's eyes
"It lies with me!" cried the Queen Of Maybe
-for her merchandise, he traded in his prize

"Paper late!" cried a voice in the crowd
"Old man dies!" The note he left was signed 
'Old Father Thames'-it seems he drowned
selling England by the pound

Citizens of Hope & Glory
Time goes by - its the "time of your life"
Easy now, sit you down
Chewing through your Wimpy dreams
they eat without a sound
digesting England by the pound

Young man says "you are what you eat"-eat well
Old man says "you are what you wear"-wear well
You know what you are you don't give a damn
bursting your belt that is your home-made sham

The Captain leads his dance right on through the night
-join the dance...
Follow on!  Till the Grail sun sets in the mould
Follow on!  Till the gold is cold
Dancing out with the moonlit Knight
Knights of the Green Shield stamp and shout

There's a fat old lady outside the saloon
Laying out her credit cards, she plays fortune
The deck is uneven right from the start
and all of their hands are playing a part

Captain leads his dance right on through the night
-join the dance...
Follow on!  A Round Tabe Talking down we go
You're the show!
Off we go with:  You play the hobbyhorse
     I'll play the fool
     We'll tease the bull
     ringing round & loud, loud & round
Follow on!  With a twist of the world we go
Follow on!  Till the gold is cold
Dancing out with the moonlit knight
Knights of the Green Shield stamp and shout


----------------------------------------------------------------------
I KNOW WHAT I LIKE (IN YOUR WARDROBE)  (Banks/Gabriel/Rutherford/
----------------------------------------Hackett/Collins)--------------
(lyrics based on the cover painting)

It's one o' clock and time for lunch, dum-de-dum-de-dum
When the sun beats down and I lie on the bench
I can always hear them talk

There's always been Ethel:
"Jacob wake up!  You've got to tidy your room now."
And then Mr. Lewis:
"Isn't it time that he was out on his own?"
Over the garden wall, two little lovebirds
-cuckoo to you!
Keep them mowing blades sharp ...

I know what I like, and I like what I know
Getting better in your wardrobe, stepping one
beyond your show

Sunday night Mr. Farmer called, said:
"Listen son, you're wasting time; there's a future 
  for you in the fire-escape trade, come up to town!"
But I remembered the voice from the past;
"Gambling only pays when you're winning",
-had to thank old Ms. Mort for schooling a failure.
Keep them mowing blades sharp ...

I know what I like, and I like what I know
Getting better in your wardrobe, stepping one
beyond your show
I know what I like, and I like what I know
Getting better in your wardrobe, stepping one
beyond your show

When the sun beats down and I lie on the bench
I can always hear them talk
Me, I'm just a lawnmower-you can tell me by the way I walk.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRTH OF FIFTH (Banks/Gabriel/Rutherford/Hackett/Collins)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The path is clear
Though no eyes can see
The course laid down long before
And so with gods and men
The sheep remain inside their pen
Though many times they've seen the way to leave
He rides majestic
Past homes of men
Who care not or gaze with joy
To see reflected theref
The trees, the sky, the lily fair,
The scene of death is lying just below

The mountain cuts off the town from view
Like a cancer growth is removed by skill
Let it be revealed
A waterfall is madrigal
And inland sea, his symphony

Undinal songs
Urge the sailors on
Till lured by the siren's cry

Now as the river dissolves the sea
So Neptune has claimed another soul
And so with gods and men
The sheep remain inside their pen
Until the Shepard leads the flock away

The sands of time were eroded by
The river of constant change


----------------------------------------------------------------------
MORE FOOL ME (Rutherford/Collins)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(vocals:  Phil)

Here am I
Who while away the mornings
Since you've gone
Too long have I lain alone
Not knowing which way to turn

And there you are
Quite sure that you were right
Knowing full well
That I'd be the first one
To go down

And you'd be the one who was laughing
Except when things weren't going your way
And the lady would say that she'd had enough
Wandering around on her own

The day you left
Well I think you knew you'd not be back
Well at least it would seem that way
Because you never said goodbye
But when it comes round to you and me
I'm sure it will work out alright

And you'd be the one who was laughing
And giving me something I didn't need
And you know, I"d always hold you and keep you warm
Oh! more fool me

But when it comes 
Round to you and me
I ask myself
Do I really believe
In your love

And yes, I'm sure it sill work out alright

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Tony Banks:  Keyboards, 12 String Guitar, Voices
Michael Rutherford:  Bass, 12 String Guitar, Electric Sitar
Peter Gabriel:  Lead voice, flute, oboe, percussion
Steve Hackett:  Electric Guitar, Nylon Guitar
Phil Collins:  Drums, Voices, Percussion

Go Back To The Moonlit Knight's Genesis Lyrics List