Steve Hackett Album

Can you light a fire in Winter's face
Or say why a life has gone to waste
Pleasure Island was an overcrowded place

Cleopatra's Needle conquered fear
One more nail in your coffin dear
Endless torture for at least two thousand years

Every day

What's the use of friendship, who am I
Hell bent on destruction, how I tried
You became a ghost to me long before you died

A gypsy compliment for (kneel down)
The scent of tyranny's daughter (we are found)
At seventeen were bled in wild cream

Passing milk thistle by
Fox on the run
Old ragged robin flies
Virtue undone

A garland of green flowers (field of lime)
Surround a silver smoke tree (yours and mine)
Sweet marigold, not easy to find

Passing milk thistle by...

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In a very large factory I belong
And I work the night shift all year long
Old Freddy on a chainsaw lost his feet
Thinking 'bout a blonde he'll never meet
Tried to take his life again the other week
Keep your chin up, haven't a care 'ave you?
Just join the party, allegiance I swear

Eee what's the matter with Arthur Royal?
I'll go and top up his batteries and check the oil
Young Arthur blew a fuse two days ago,
Set himself alight, you didn't know
Nearly burnt us down the twit just had to go
Take your chances, live on hot air (wouldn't you?)
Chance of promotion, I'll take that chair

Dreaming of golden sands and palm trees
I said file these quickly and then staple these
Get yourself altered undo the seam, and get back just
In time for tea (and don't be late mind)

Nobody's perfect least of all me
Married the job at age 23
Just keep my nose clean egg chips and beans
I'm always full of steam

...I could never afford to go to Butlins...
...But I did manage to go to Majorca once...
...Wish I hadn't bothered...
...Past the entrance, by I bored myself...
...Who are all these people in my office, anyway?...
...Who are they? Where do they come from, do y'know them?...

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Just like his old father before him
Who served in the great war would sing
We're proud to serve Kaiser or King

They'll always find someone who's willing
To take Tigermoth chances alone
The boy who should never have flown

Was thrown a hundred yards
Blown into smithereens
A crowd drew near but failed to hear
Look I'm over here and still one of you wait...

The young man's despondence soon halted
When gently a voice that he knew
Took shape slowly out of the blue

Flight Captain James at your service
Last month I went down in the drink
You're not as alone as you think

Here's some of your chums from last Thursday
Shot down in their prime over Rome
The boys who can never go home

Were thrown a hundred yards
Blown into smithereens
Until we meet again my friends
No regrets and Lily Marlene sings again

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