"WHAT IT IS" (2000)
WHAT IT IS
The drinking dens are spilling out
There's staggering in the square
There's lads and lasses falling about
And a crackling in the air
Down around the dungeon doors
The shelters and the queues
Everybody's looking for
Somebody's arms to fall into
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
There's frost on the graves and the monuments
But the taverns are warm in town
People curse the government
And shovel hot food down
The lights are out in city hall
The castle and the keep
The moon shines down upon it all
The legless and asleep
And it's cold on the tollgate
With the wagons creeping through
Cold on the tollgar
God knows what I could do with you
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
The garrison sleeps in the citadel
With the ghosts and the ancient stones
High up on the parapet
A scottish piper stands alone
And high on the wind
The highland drums begin to roll
And something from the past just comes
And stares into my soul
And it's cold on the tollgate
With the Caledonian blues
Cold on the tollgate
God knows what I could do with you
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
What it is
It's what it is now
There's a chink of light, there's a burning wick
There's a lantern in the tower
Wee Willie Winkie with a candlestick
Still writing songs in the wee wee hours
On Charlotte Street I take
A walking stick from my hotel
The ghost of Dirty Dick
Is still in search of Little Nell
And it's what it is
It's what it is now
Oh, it's what it is
What it is now
¬¬¬
Heard a bell being toll
Before the break of day
I heard then my name being called
Down that long highway
You don't get long
You don't get long
You don't get long to stay
Kiss me once and I'll be gone
Down that long highway
Spirits call from way beyond
Lord I may not disobey
Spare a thought for the vagabond
Down that long highway
Down that long highway
Down that long highway
¬¬¬
Tonight we pushed the border just a little too far for comfort
Thought I'd get my order in
Seing ??? ??? sweet talking
You never had a way with words
So it's something of a drag to hear you
Like a wind up bird
Telling all and sundry how come nothing's good
How you are misunderstood
You never had a lot upstairs
So it is something of a drag to see you
A legend in your own armchair
Telling all and sundry how things ought to be
What's wrong with the industry
And then it all comes back to you
You wanna know what you should do
Shut up and deal, let's see you do better
Shut up and deal, let's see you get it on
Shut up and deal, and put it all together
Let's see you do it all
You say well it's allright for him
I got more talent in my little finger
And what about that game she's in
How can she call herself a sinner or a saint
She knows how to play the game
I know what it's leading to
You want to know what you should do
Shut up and deal, let's see you do better
Shut up and deal, let's see you get it on
Shut up and deal, and put it all together
Let's see you
Let's see you
Let's see you
Let's see you do it all
Tonight we pushed the border just a little too far for comfort
¬¬¬
Camerado, see that cloud across the sun
There ain't too many places left to run
There was a time when we go anywhere the wind would blow
Camerado
Camerado, they are fencin' off the rain
I hate to hear the whistle of the train
The next thing you know they want your pistol and your tobacco
Camerado
Got a piece of 44 on fire in my chest
Out here on the mess I will rest
If you can hand me down that whiskey from my saddle
Camerado
Now the light is dying in the sky
That ain't gotta bother you or I
Seen enough for dying almost know all that there is to know
Camerado
Now you have best flight in the ride
There's pretty women on the other side
Seing ??? you'll be free as ??? in New Mexico
Camerado
¬¬¬
