No tongue in the bell

And the fishwives yell

But they might as well be mute

So you get to keep the pictures

That don't seem like much

Cold white keys under your fingers

Now you're thinking

"that's no substitute

It just don't do it

Like the song of a warm, warm body

Loving your touch"



In the court they carve your legend

With an apple in its jaw

And the women that you wanted

They get their laughs

Long silk stockings

On the bedposts of refinement

You're too raw

They think you're too raw

It's the judgement of the moon and stars

Your solitary path

Draw yourself a bath

Think what you'd like to have

For supper

Or take a walk

A park

A bridge

A tree

A river

Revoked but not yet cancelled

The gift goes on

In silence

In a bell jar

Still a song ...

You've got to shake your fists at lightning now

You've got to roar like forest fire

You've got to spread your light like blazes

All across the sky

They're going to aim the hoses on you

Show 'em you won't expire

Not till you burn up every passion

Not even when you die

Come on now

You've got to try

If you're feeling contempt

Well then you tell it

If you're tired of the silent night

Jesus, well then you yell it

Condemned to wires and hammers

Strike every chord that you feel

That broken trees

And elephant ivories

Conceal


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