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1. |
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boarded up windows
michelle said I could come round at nine
I could drive down these roads
until the end of time
I'm going to plant some roses on rose hill
I'm going to plant some roses on rose hill
but it was curfew at half eight
so I stayed at home
and I got toothache
that felt like a supernova
I'm going to plant some roses on rose hill
I'm going to plant some roses on rose hill
glass on the pavement
police tape around the car
could we make some arrangement
so I can find out where you are
I'm going to plant some roses on rose hill
I'm going to plant some roses on rose hill
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2. |
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quit my job as a shoe maker
and made for the austrian border
told my friends I was going to be a baker
and that I had everything in order
but I had the violin with me in the car
I'm not sure why I withheld the truth
but I come from a long line of classicalists who are
stereotypically slightly aloof
I held my dreams up to the light
I dreampt that things would be alright
I held my dreams up in the light
I dreampt all night all night
so I felt like I'd taken my self taught skills
as far as I possibly could
and it gave me so many thrills
to think one day I'd possibly be good
so I'd heard about this school
of musicians musically alike
and I wondered if I could follow the rules
and I wondered if I'd fit in right
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3. |
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when the guy threatened to kill me
I got scared
and I did too when I got between
the cub and the mother bear
I'm not afraid to admit that I'm frightened
when I couldn't see the future
when the lion got outside the cage
when I didn't have time
to find out what was on the other page
I'm not afraid to admit that I'm frightened
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4. |
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when you try to entice me in
with all these little things
when you put glittery writing on the wall
is that meant to make me fall
when you sing a sweet sweet song
I stay strong
loss leaders
loss leaders
when you cover everything in syrup
you can't break my spirit
when you pile the sugar high
I refuse to die
when you're as beautiful as the day is long
I stay strong
loss leaders
loss leaders
when you paint everything in my favourite colour
I don't bother
when you put the best songs on the radio
it's always time to go
when you sit back and watch king kong
I stay strong
loss leaders
loss leaders
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5. |
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when I stood on the path near the edge of the beach
and the sun dropped like a bowling ball into the sea
I thought about how so many things were out of reach
like beautiful sunsets and definitions of you and me
and this was the very definition of windswept
standing near the pavilion right here
wind smashing into the side of the ship wreck
then the ship starting up and moving into gear
when I stood on the beach with my back to the wall
and the tide was coming in fast
I thought about how I didn't want to leave at all
and how the sea was so vast
when I headed up the steps back onto safer ground
it wasn't a ceasefire but a retreat for sure
I needed reinforcements so I made a bugle sound
and hoped that we could carry on with the war
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6. |
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they say you can't have too much of a good thing
but I've had good things up to my eyeballs
and I've been wondering about like an ancient king
walking down these eldritch halls
they say its too good to be true
but I wondered if they were lying through their teeth
and here's how I forget about you
I have to daydream about the great barrier reef
I never thought I could enjoy a rejection so much
until I had today's sweet rejection
they says its better to have loved and lost
than to have never loved at all
but it makes me wonder at what cost
they say these things and what for
they say there's plenty of fish in the sea
they say there's plenty of others for the taking
they say it doesn't matter that you can't have me
I wish that they'd just stop speaking
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7. |
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now I understand why there are so many hospitals in this town
everytime my heart splits it takes four of them to pin it down
they have to gather all of the finest doctors around
take it out to the nearest river and watch it drown
lalala
now I understand how you got inside the city walls
you double-backed through a secret door under the waterfalls
misdirected all of the emergency phone calls
then went swimming in the city's finest pools
lalala
now I understand the meaning of first aid
you drove a little green box with wheels on at the parade
you pleased the crowd but never quite made the grade
went off road and across countryside you strayed
lalala
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8. |
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when I wake up at 5am
I curse my inadequate R.EM.
I try to face the sugar coated truth
but I'm thankful for a leak free roof
I glance at myself in the mirror
feel the skin around my eyes start to quivver
wonder whether to face the oncoming day
look back into my bed where I once lay
heart break fast
making hunger a thing of the past
heart break fast
pin your colours to the mast
when I wake up at 6am
I curse the alarm clock again
I struggle to get myself up
then pour boiling tea into an ornate cup
across to the kitchen cupboard I slide
and I have a quick glance inside
and I see that the cupboard is bare
apart from one thing I knew was there
heart break fast
if you want hunger to last
heart break face
brace yourself for the blast
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9. |
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as the black prince rode through the valley
he wondered how many swords to carry
and when he asked me to join him
I didn't because I didn't understand him
voiceless alveolar lateral fricative
voiceless alveolar lateral fricative
as the black prince rode through the valley
he sent a message to our house for wednesday
that night I dreamt of the evenlode
but I couldn't work out the prince's code
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10. |
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soloman andrews traipse around the town
soloman andrews you're up then your down
soloman andrews traipse around in the dark
soloman andrews find a nice place to park
soloman andrews walk through the field
soloman andrews hold up your shield
soloman andrews leave your home
soloman andrews build roads of chrome
soloman andrews ride on the train
soloman andrews cardiff stuck in your brain
soloman andrews stay safe and warm
soloman andrews ride out the storm
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11. |
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the sun beat down
on our little town
when the translators came back around
I don't know how we coped
but with hope against hope
we grabbed on to the safety rope
when the plane touched down on the green strip
I had your name on my lips
when the plane touched down with our prize
I saw your word for the first time with my own eyes
the rain fell down
on our little town
and blessings were all around
the day they sent
such a glorious present
our very own version of the new testament
the light came down
on our little town
and everyone gathered around
there were tears in the eyes
of the young, old and wise
this was the greatest day of our lives
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12. |
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I drove up to the car park near the west river
turned over several thoughts in my mind
sat back and waited to see what the day would deliver
hoped that the traffic warden would be kind
I went over several scenarios in the car
got comfortable as I waited for the scene to play out
wondered which lead actress they'd chosen as the star
in my head I chased a few hypotheses about
I walked up to the top of the hill
was amazed how much of the city I could see from there
worked out the distance from my house to the mill
felt static electricity go through my hair
found a rock and I threw it as far as I could
sensed disapproving eyes staring into my back
I turned around 180 degrees towards the wood
but there was noone staring back on the woodland track
stood outside the electrical goods shop
leaned up against the bright clean glass
and when the security guard asked me to stop
I closed my eyes and waited for him to pass
off into the twinkling sunset
but instead he talked into his walkie talkie
its obvious that he doesn't quite get
people like you and me
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13. |
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hung pictures on the wall
painted the radiator blue
and its not a hard thing at all
to stand up and say how I feel about you
there were pictures of dinosaurs
and the room was warm and exciting
and I felt the sweat flooding from my pores
and there was a sense of danger unknown and exciting
I could see your reflection
in the corner of my eye
and I laid down the shields of protection
and I loved you so much I could have died
you opened up the french windows
and let the cold air rush right in
and although we were in winters early throes
I forgave you right there and then
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14. |
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as the egyptian sun shone down on you
as the nicene creed was put through
you knew you had nothing to fear
in the sweet city of alexandria
you and the cappadocian fathers
battled through all the cynical laughter
and you tore down the arian lies
because you knew there was no compromise
jesus is fully god
jesus is fully man
this was a crucial question
and you knew it was crucial to understand
when you had opened up your eyes
you could see this was no great compromise
it was the heady days of the 360s
arguing over the trinity
and you got exiled again
and you sailed past the murderous men
they didn't manage to quench the fire
and soon you got another exile
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15. |
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stumbled around in the darkness
waited for the grid to come back on
the doctor said I was cold and heartless
for singing that old song
she said it got stuck in her head
the ear worm wriggled about her brain
and when the lights went dead
I hummed this refrain
I don't love you any more than I used to
I don't love you any more than I used to
I bumped into a table
whilst looking for some matches
so I could light a candle
and I noticed shades and patches
of black on the wall
my eyes grew accustomed to the light
if there was any light at all
and I sang a song all night
I don't love you any more than I used to
I don't love you any more than I used to
once the candle was lit
and light spilled into the room
my heart melted a little bit
and my lens started to zoom
in on a scrap of paper on the floor
it was to remind me something
and when I heard the knock at the door
I started to quietly sing
I don't love you any more than I used to
I don't love you any more than I used to
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16. |
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lifted the sword
ran across the fields
and when I got bored
I let go of my shield
and if you think we'll stand for your raping and pillaging
any longer
you're sorely mistaken
ran through the smoke
with the helmet fastened to my head
wondered if it was all a joke
until I looked back at the trail of dead
boarded the long boat
looked back at the smoking wreck behind
grabbed my coat
wondered if I was losing my mind
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17. |
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I marked the firmament
as I got into the station
played the whole thing in my head
rose as part of the standing ovation
I hooted, hollered and stamped both feet
stayed til the last clap and left my seat
I marked the horizon
as the train pulled in
held on to the true fact
that you had dealt with all my sin
I marked the passengers
walking along the platform's edge
peeled my eyes away from the abyss
and stepped back from the ledge
I marked the ticket office
as the sunset splayed across the sky
thought about a kind and perfect God
who'd sent his only son to die
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18. |
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sun dappled streets
fields coming in and out of view
trees like great green giants
trying not to think about you
and something out of the window caught my eye
cobbled stone pavements
daffodils lining the road side
one of us told the truth
and one of us lied
and something out of the window caught my eye
massive welsh hills
roads weaving through the land
everything we once had
spilling through your hand
and something out of the window caught my eye
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19. |
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it rained all night
it rained all day
and I tried to think of something clever to say
but nothing else came into sight
it rained all day
and it rained all night
western windows facing the sea
western windows facing the sea
the sun shone down
and I gazed up
and I let go of the cup
and let it fall down to the ground
I gazed up
and the sun shone down
western windows facing the sea
western windows facing the sea
the wind blew hard
but the house stood still
and I let my finger run along the windowsill
and for a minute I dropped my guard
and the house stood still
but the wind blew hard
western windows facing the sea
western windows facing the sea
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20. |
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after the cold shoulder
I felt like I was 10 years older
but still like a teenager
in need of the latest hi tec pager
I'm frost damaged
like richard nixon
like richard nixon
after my cv was turned away
I stood staring at the screen all day
down near gloucester green
whole thing was a bad dream
after my surface was cut up
I decided to just shut up
said goodbye to pot holes
said hello to new plimsouls
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21. |
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when the heavenly doctor sibbes stepped down from the lecturn
dozens of hearts in the congregation started to burn
and honey was spilling from the heavens above
as people came to a clearer understanding of christ's love
hearts have got to melt not break
hearts have got to melt not break
hearts have got to melt not break
because a broken heart's no use to anyone
the honey dropper bypassed discussion of behaviour
he went deeper it was the heart that was key to love of the saviour
and as our love for Christ grows so too our hate for sin will grow
and love for Christ will become more than just something to know
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22. |
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when I saw the seagulls walking along the roof of the marquees
when I finally located the position of my car keys
when I flung open the doors of our chalet
when I pirouetted across the living room using half remembered ballet
n.w.a.
now we're alright
n.w.a.
northern wind alight
when I finally located the car park
just as the sun had gone down and the sky got dark
a familiar scent on the sea breeze just within reach
when I did the highest star jumps ever on the beach
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23. |
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even when it collided
when the sky derided
your taste in fashion
you never lost the passion
even when it broke up
you let the pieces soak up
took a train to dundee
stayed there til monday
even when it hit glass
looked back into the past
and saw what became
of that north bound train
even when it crumbled
you never stumbled
spoke into the mirror
looked back upon a different era
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24. |
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opened up the back windows wide
let the hot air come along for the ride
felt the heat wash through my hair
the satnav said I was nearly there
I'm gonna live here forever
I'm gonna live here forever
I'm gonna live here forever
or else I'm going to thame
got the car into fifth gear
for the first time in a year
I sped through the valley
I couldn't linger and I couldn't dally
I played with the fm band
as the car sped across land
and when I finally found that song
I knew that it wouldn't be long
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25. |
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you're writing cheques you can't cash
adding bad pears to the stash
of rotten fruit you've collected
you got a kick from when the adults objected
hey hey hey
yeah yeah yeah
hey hey hey
yeah yeah yeah
you're asking why kings have jesters
don't want to let the mind fester
or think about mortality
its through escapism that you try to be free
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26. |
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I am twenty five years old
she said as she opened the curtain
this wont let in the cold
so lets see for certain
I am twenty five years old
lime green spots on the window
the sign outside says sold
so she says I should go
I am twenty five years old
pink blossom on the tree
new coloured paper to fold
I've got no time for origami
I am twenty five years old
said he as he turned around
and he felt like pure gold
as they watched the rainbow falling down
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27. |
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make something happen
in the magical corporate wonderland
seize the day
for fame and glory might be in hand
look ahead
steady your hand and fix your eyes
on the one thing we all want
on that bright burning beautiful prize
steady the ship
for there are choppy waters ahead
watch the step
but at the same time mind your head
keep your eyes peeled
stay out of the red and in the black
stay focused
for soon there'll be no turning back
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28. |
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I affixed the mouthpiece on tight
as I made my way into the night
it belongs in a museum
it belongs in a museum
in my camouflage green
I looked so cool on the screen
it belongs in a museum
it belongs in a museum
and when it was time to eat
I got the dish out of the oven
with a tea towel to protect my hands from the heat
outside on the royal wedding stall
I saw the thing I wanted most of all
it belongs in a museum
it belongs in a museum
and when I got to the church
I found the kitchen and a place to perch
it belongs in a museum
it belongs in a museum
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29. |
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in the conservatory
I looked through the open windows
through to the living room
and in the garage
I fixed up the motor bike
listened to the engine boom
and I knew you were coming around
and I knew you were coming around
in the kitchen
I fixed up a simple meal
eggs butter and spanish cheese
in the study
where the first aid box was
I worked out how to hold back the disease
and I knew you were coming around
and I knew you were coming around
in the bedroom
I slept for a long time
wasted away the day
in the bathroom
I washed away the substance
that was causing me to delay
and I knew you were coming around
and I knew you were coming around
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30. |
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days spent in solitary confinement in your room
days spent correcting the camera zoom
days spent trudging through the gloom
days spent hiding from the face of the moon
days spent oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
days spent oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
days spent oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
days spent oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
days spent articulating cryptic doubts
days spent silent whilst my heart melts
days spent picking over abandoned whelks
days spent appeasing local ticket touts
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