Down From Above
Your mother made you cry when she told you about the womb
And how people die
Watching over you when you were young
Smiling when you learned to crawl
You don't know her at all
It's a dirty job, but they're very suave
Jesus high on wine weeping turpentine
Daddy's voice like an intercom connected to a hidden room
Where yellow roses bloom
A sacred mountain near Peterborough where clouds paint a picture so calm
That they swallowed Mom
It's a dirty job but they're very suave
Jesus high on wine, weeping turpentine
What are they doing in there?
Have they got guns?
Make you run up and down the same hill
And they'll break your will
Was it Christmas or Groundhog Day when your friends turned to shadows
And they dragged you away
Tell nobody that you've been here, don't breathe a word that's been said
(Now there's a scar) upon your forehead
It's a dirty job but they're very suave
Jesus high on wine, weeping turpentine
What are they doing in there?
Have they got guns?
Whether Mount Pinatubo
Or the threat of God's love
There'll always be something that's raining
Down from above.
Down from above.
Down from above.
Down from above...
Horseshoes
My sister Sue and me were doing stunts with electric trains
She said she'd do my dishes, so I handed her the reins
handed her the reins
And she engineered a collision steered by a hand-eye protege
Before my train set started burning I heard my sister say:
Look straight at the coming disaster
Realize what you've lost
You keep handing out horseshoes
Horseshoes have gotta be tossed.
I dreamed I went to heaven 'cause I told my lover lies
When I woke up I went to her and looked her in the eyes
looked her in the eyes
I said "help me cry, 'cause I can't deny this union's feeling wrong"
Then a flshback to the dream and angels singing songs
Look straight at the coming disaster
Realize what you've lost
You keep handing out horseshoes
Horseshoes have gotta be tossed
Horseshoes have gotta be tossed.
Don't push the river; if you love it, set it free
I said "go on and see him, you can still come home to me"
I was satisfied, God was on our side
'Cause we're freer than the birds.
She sent me a letter. I didn't read it,
I already knew the words
Look straight at the coming disaster
Realize what you've lost
You keep handing out horseshoes
Horseshoes have gotta be tossed.
Horseshoes have gotta be tossed...
Fly
When you've played out As the World Turns
You don't need soaps to clean your mind
Every little child learns
If you can't see dreams, your eyes are blind
Was it just a fool's impression?
Such an antiquated passion.
On the day they both conspired to ride the midway after dark
They had enough of their pride to not bring coins to this amusement park
And she held his hand to follow
And he held his breath, then let go
They crouched down low.
Sat in the front row.
Untied the rope so they could fly
Hold on tight, let's get it just right,
We'll take our last flight. You and I.
[the following paragraph appears in the liner notes, but not in the song itself]
When you're getting tired of normal
You sometimes think you've lost your will
You see something less formal
And reconcile to try to move in for the thrill
Was it breaking down like most do?
Or searching for happiness where you're supposed to?
So they cried inside while their eyes smiled
There was no turning back for two
Erase the memory stockpile
All alone, and one thing left to do
In the rollarcoaster shadows,
They took off their shoes and bared their souls
They crouched down low.
Sat in the front row
Untied the rope so they could fly
Hold on tight, let's get it just right
We'll take our last flight. You and I.
And she held his hand to follow
And he held his breath, then let go
They crouched down low
Sat in the front row
Untied the rope so they could fly
Hold on tight, let's get it just right,
We'll take our last flight.
You and I.
The Present Tense Tureen
Circumstances eat themselves
The present tense has been
Fill the fancy bowl up
At the present tense tureen.
I once had a girl, she lived in the past
It was clear that relationship wouldn't last
It was clear from the way she had to sleep south
It was clear from the lines around her mouth
So I went for a walk in the ravine
I came upon an unbelievable scene
In a tiny creek there's a tiny boat
With a tiny man in a tiny coat
I said "Hey man, do you think you can help?"
He said "Of course I can - I'm an elf
We're not just fictional device
We sail ravines and give advice"
I said "My baby is what it's about"
He cried "Helms a-lee, boy, I'm comin' about
Don't fill me in on right or wrong
Take these ropes and sing this song"
Circumstances eat themselves
The present tense has been
Fill the fancy bowl up
At the present tense tureen.
His eyes were afire, he lit up a coal
Handed me a ladle and a little white bowl
Put the pot on the fire, he opened a book
And said "sit down, the thing's gotta cook"
"That's the loveliest pot I've ever seen"
He said "it's not a pot, it's a tureen
And what's inside will make you well
So ring this little dinner bell"
Then he giggled in french - that's what he did
Like a kid at Christmas, as he opened the lid
"Help yourself" he beamed with pride
But there was no sweet soup inside.
Silence fell on the cooling night
I thought I better fake it just to be polite
Smallest friend, biggest moon
Empty bowl, empty spoon.
Circumstances eat themselves
The present tense has been
Fill the fancy bowl up
At the present tense tureen.
Circumstances eat themselves
The present tense has been
Fill the fancy bowl up
At the present tense tureen.
Poor Mary Lane
She lowered her head when they layed all the blame
The charge was clear
Poor Mary Lane, Poor Mary Lane
And I've been her swordsman of national fame
Her knight so dear
Poor Mary Lane, Poor Mary Lane
Trapped in her castle
In mourning and still a dreamer
What began as a hastle
If anything wouldn't seem her
I put down my head when they layed all the blame
I spoke in fear
Poor Mary Lane, Poor Mary Lane
And I've been her swordsman of national fame
Her knight was here
Poor Mary Lane, Poor Mary Lane
Then we were in college
And he was our prince of knowledge
For my love I would promise
To be her alibi and accomplace
Poor Mary Lane, Poor Mary Lane
Social Professor didn't stop when he carressed her
He laughed in tears at their shame
And though she calculated,
So it was premeditated
What could she do?
We lowered our heads when they laid all the blame
Put her away
Poor Mary Lane, Poor Mary Lane
And I though the plan would be clearing her name
We lost that day
Poor Mary Lane, Poor Mary Lane
Lowered our heads when they layed all the blame
Put her away
Poor Mary Lane, Poor Mary Lane...
On Her Doorstep
I started out a little tightly wound
Like a rocket shot up out of frozen ground
Dirt in my nails, a forest in my head
Seems like every message I got said
Burn it, Break it
She took me in like a broken bird
In a moonlit house in a single word
We built a cave, or was it a nest?
She did all the driving and all the rest, but
I'm not there at all
Though I shall recall
What she said to me
On her doorstep
She likes my dad, he knows Gordy Howe
He had such a temper, guess who's got it now
[The following two lines are in the song, but do not appear in the liner notes]
Watch me explode as we misunderstand
Everything that's said on this fiber optic strand
I'm not here at all
Though I shall recall
What she said to me
On her doorstep
When I get back we'll dip our cup
Into the fountain of youth
We'll rest our heads and raise a toast
To the sunset's beautiful truth
I lit a fire by the tracks last night
Bounced it off the moon
Hoping you'd call soon
To this phonebook state
Where I've been stuck up late
Felt just like an ass when I broke that glass
I'm not there at all
But I will recall
What she said to me
On her doorstep
Misplaced
Your phone call from Montreal said
I was back into you
But as I listened to the words fall
I treaded as the artist drew
Me down on my knees with liquid eyes begging please
Won't you stay for another course
But if I was you, I'd agree with what you chose to do
And I tried and tried and tried that night
I cried and cried so that we would fight
And distance was the accomplice that saw me lose
The most that I ever knew,
Everything, if not the sun
In the space that could handle two
You were gone.
You gave me your heart and habits
Proverbially at my side
And though maybe I took advantage
You know I never really lied
I was out in the field collecting strength for my shield
And I misplaced what made me real
I can't ask you to wait around
But you know, you can't deny
That I tried and tried and tried that night
I cried and cried so that we would fight
And distance was the accomplice that saw me lose
The most that I ever knew
Everything, if not the sun
In the space that could handle two
You were gone.
It's Too Cold
You're the last of a breed and it's begining to stink
So you take to the clouds with your bible and drink
The proclaimation was made, the proclaimation was felt
There's a new notch in your belt
Very carefully you've protected your house
Now there's no getting out
It's too cold
It's too late
It's too far
There's a lovely house on a lovely street
There's a burning star but it's giving no heat
To the sting that was felt on the back of your hand
Now someone's lost command
Very secretly you've infected your house
Now there's no getting out
It's too cold
It's too late
It's too far
[Background sung during the chorus]
Lonely at nightfall
Bad dreams of rag dolls
When the bough breaks
The earth shakes
No one hears at all
[background sung by Mike during the chorus]
You're such a lucky bastard
I hope I didn't scare you
We did not do nothing to you
Leave you alone
Leave you alone
Bed and Breakfast
Romeo rhinoceros
Prowls around the bar
Head afire, he spills desire
And vodka from a mason jar
Brilliantly witty and clearly unsteady
He takes a shot at the big games
So cocksure, he never suspects
Somebody's doing the same
Bed and breakfast
And now you're paid in full
Who'd have known you would be so predictable
Bed and breakfast
Is all you bargained for
Shouldn't have wanted more
Shouldn't have wanted more
Juliet gigantic
Accepts a second beer
Spends a laugh on a half-bad joke
And jerks her chair near
She hears the lies behind the lines
But she wants the very same thing
She knows the glove on the hand in her lap
Conceals a wedding ring
Bed and breakfast
And now you're paid in full
Who'd have known you would be so predictable
Bed and breakfast
Is all you bargained for
Shouldn't have wanted more
Shouldn't have wanted more.
Nuits de Reve
Loin des guerres
et des caisses popularies
y'avait de l'amour dans l'air
L'effervescence d'une nouvelle danse.
Elle était nue, j'la laissais faire.
Draps de soie en désarroi dans le chambre.
Nuits décadance sans censure.
Entends-tu venir le froid qui frémit, qui murmure?
Où sont passées toutes nos nuits de rêve?
Aide-moi à les retrouver.
Tu disais qu't'allais toujours m'aimer.
A cent à l'heure on étouffe son coeur.
Les utopies deviennent ambigues.
L'horlage soone chaque heure ivrogne des amants devenus détenus.
Draps de soie en désarroi dans la chambre.
Nuits remplies de passions perdues.
Mais un matin elle l'embrassa froidement et disparut.
Où sont passées toutes nos nuits de rêve?
Aide-moi à les retrouver.
Tu disais qu't'allais toujours m'aimer.
Sous la neige, la fin du manège.
Des traces de pas à jamais perdues.
Mes jours sont durs, j'ai pu de futur.
Elle m'a laissé seul les mains nues.
Draps de soie abandonnés dans le chambre.
Nuits blanches à écumer des rues sans issue.
J'te cherche partout, je deviens fou dans la foule inconnue.
Où sont passées toutes nos nuits de rêve?
Aide-moi à les retrouver.
Tu disais qu't'allais toujours m'aimer.
Sad Today
Sad today
Sad today
Even coffee can't make it go away
I murdered my friends
But I made amends
And that is why I'm free today
Sad today
Sad to say
I stole your hat
And I hanged your cat
So come to play
On my sad today
We can both pretend we're young and gay
A single brown banana
Rots on the table
And the televison begs like a whore
If you decided to sell your happiness
For how much would you sell it
And spend your days down on the floor
No one stares
No one dares
When you have the mark upon your brow
I stole your hat
And I hanged your cat
So tell me how you love me now
Sad today
Sad today
Organ Grinder
There's a guy down at Queen and Bay,
I can almost see him there every day.
There's not so much he can say,
There's not so much he can play.
No motorcar, no home, no wife,
but that don't mean he don't have a life.
Grinds his way into young girl's heart's,
Grinds up a batch of mincemeat tarts.
He's very wise, he's very old,
He does his thing when it's very cold.
He hears them shout again and again -
"Get that monkey on a big big chain!"
Organ grinder sent to jail,
Got bags and bags of mail.
People from the world outside,
Miss him and rhesus by his side.
No music on the streets today-
Incarcerated, not okay!
Country music has its charm,
Pretty eyes them fire alarms.
When organ grinder had a smoke,
Little rhesus fast awoke.
Burnt the whole place to the ground,
Along with that new country sound.
Organ grinder at the door,
Won't say what he's looking for.
Sent his monkey 'round the back,
Gave my wife a heart attack.
Took her away, left me behind -
It's not my organs he wants to grind.
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