The Venus of the soup kitchen is waiting there for me

And all us poor cripples who've been in the wars

And up sleeping on her floor...



Woah !



When you're scared of down and out

You keep it to yourself and if anyone suspects

You say : "Who me ? Hardly !"

You tell him "Thank your stars, this isn't Derby day

'Cos it's clear you've got the gift for backing the wrong horse, Charlie."



Woah !



When you're scared of down and out

You camouflage your fear with a fakin' D.J. smile

And maybe some boogie dancin'

But there's no need to be proud

Hey if something's hurtin' you

Could be it hurts your brothers too

From Langley Park to Memphis



Last night, last night I dreamed I dared to raise my head

The Venus of the soup kitchen stood over me

Singin' : "Sometimes the job gets you down

You're ashamed that the word will get round

Well all you poor cripples who've been in the wars

End up sleeping on my floor."



Woah !



Now some will spin you yarns to keep you quiet for a while

But you know that's not my style, who needs fancy footwork ?

'Cos none of it adds up, no it doesn't weigh a thing

And it doesn't buy you beer, from Langley Park to Memphis



Last ight, last night I dreamed I dared to raise my head

The Venus of the soup kitchen stood over me

Singin' : "Here you are, and I won't tell you've no one else but me

Every night I know you'll be here staring hungrily

Well here you are, no I won't tell 'cos everyone I know

Wanders down here every night they've nowhere else to go."

The Venus of the soup kitchen is standing there over me

Every night I'm gonna be here staring hungrily



The Venus of the soup kitchen is waiting there for me

And all us poor cripples who've been in the wars

End up sleeping on her floor