Try as I might, I cannot tune the strings
Of this guitar
To the right key
For the proper rendition of you

You have a melody, so simple and pure
I think that was half the allure
Something, not to be played
Or replicated artifically
Outside our happy domesticity

I want to sing
I want to sing a song -- but

Try as I might, I cannot rig the stereo
To reproduce your gorgeous monotone
When you're not on the phone
Calling your friends
Calling your shrink
Contacting your maker
Or the local greengrocer

You have a voice, so tried and true
I could never, ever be blue
Even if I was to attempt to
And I would never wish to

I want to sing
I want to sing, a song

Happy memories

I want to phrase correctly
Intone the notes
Which give voice to your figure
Once I've hit the quaver, I cannot help but quiver
As you undressed here, in the room
And that state of perfection
I had hitherto hungered for
Became reality
Becomes the song
Becomes truth, for me

Once again
For the seventh time in a week
For the twenty-fourth hour in a row

You have a voice, so tried and true
I could never, ever be blue
Even if I was to attempt to

Whatever life throws in the way, each and
Every day
I will still love you, in my way
And will always sing your praises
Hour upon hour
As I sit, here at the piano
Exasperated in every credible attempt
To remain strong -- to play along
To write a suitable accompaniment
To you

off they go, see them march
their banners at full mast

armour is shining, sunlight's catching

on every protrusion of metal
horse and harness
sheathed swords, shields
which'll soon do battle on foreign fields

off they go, off they go

people are watching, and conversation turning
to war, and victory
to power and money

sheathed swords, shields
which'll soon do battle on foreign fields
blood is soon to be spilt
in assaulting an enemy
whose cruelties are legendary

mile upon mile
of dastardly dungeon

a golden sheen
enbalms them all
in a holy glow

off they go, off they go
see them march
my beau -- handsome to the last
my Sir Lancelot

lord loyal heart

i'll catch a brief kiss as they pass
secure in his chivalry
and i'll wait
at home, patiently

for the news from the front
tales of bravery and valour

i would willingly succour
but i'm needed here, to keep home fires burning

as the day climbs down
and the sound of hooves
retreats, ever further
into the distance

Oh, how the other half live
In palatial state
Along Millionaires Row
War, famine and misery stalk
This fragmented and opposed world
Yet they'll happily walk the corgis
Leaving maids to do the washing

Oh, how the other half live
La-di-da, la-di-da
In their exclusive postcode area
In the 'better' sector of Tunbridge Wells
Away from all the chavs and gyppos
Away from blacks, spastics, homos
And other signs of non-conformity

An abominable reality
When we are all one, really
We are all human
It just comes right down to money
And what public school they send their brats to

Out of touch with society
They talk of peace, and harmony
They talk of wealth equality
They'll speak for poverty eradication
But push for tax harmonisation

Oh, how the other half live
La-di-da, la-di-da
While 50% go hungry, internationally
They'll happily buy an Audi
Their money it may well be
But still there's something wrong in the world, fundamentally
When someone forks out £100k on a kitchen

The morning, downcast
With no snow expected yet

Shame

The mood, despondent
With no signs of merriment
Or other amusement
No remaining traces
Now, of the dormant happiness
We once conspired to enjoy
For the comfort of others

Pity
Yes, a real pity
When frost has gathered
On both sides of the windowpane

Converse, no it's not the same
Has been replaced with blame
A bemused, retrofitted
Brand of shame

We exchange pleasantries
At breakfast
Though breakfast is cold
Virtually inedible
Toast, burnt
Tea, stewed
And kippers raw -- butter dripping
Like blood off of our passion's cadaver