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The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
Fly on a Windshield
Broadway Melody of 1974
Cuckoo Cocoon
In the Cage
The Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging
Back in N.Y.C.
Hairless Heart
Counting out Time
The Carpet Crawlers
The Chamber of 32 Doors
Part 2
Lilywhite Lilith
The Waiting Room
Anyway
The Supernatural Anaesthetist
The Lamia
Silent Sorrow in Empty Boats
The Colony of Slippermen
The Arrival
A Visit to the Doktor
The Raven
Ravine
The Light Dies Down on Broadway
Riding the Scree
In the Rapids
It
THE LAMB LIES DOWN ON BROADWAY
And the lamb lies down on Broadway. Early morning Manhattan, Ocean winds blow on the land. The Movie-Palace is now undone, The all-night watchmen have had their fun. Sleeping cheaply on the midnight show, It's the same old ending-time to go. Get out! It seems they cannot leave their dream. There's something moving in the sidewalk steam, And the lamb lies down on Broadway. Nightime's flyers feel their pains. Drugstore takes down the chains. Metal motion comes in bursts, But the gas station can quench that thirst. Suspension cracked on unmade road The trucker's eyes read 'Overload' And out on the subway, Rael Imperial Aerosol Kid Exits into daylight, spraygun hid, And the lamb lies down on Broadway. The lamb seems right out of place, Yet the Broadway street scene finds a focus in its face. Somehow it's lying there, Brings a stillness to the air. Though man-made light, at night is very bright, There's no whitewash victim, As the neons dim, to the coat of white. Rael Imperial Aerosol Kid, Wipes his gun-he's forgotten what he did, And the lamb lies down on Broadway. Suzanne tired her work all done, Thinks money-honey-be on-neon. Cabman's velvet glove sounds the horn And the sawdust king spits out his scorn. Wonder women draw your blind! Don't look at me! I'm not your kind. I'm Rael! Something inside me has just begun, Lord knows what I have done, And the lamb lies down on Broadway. On Broadway- They say the lights are always bright on Broadway. They say there's always magic in the air. FLY ON A WINDSHIELD
There's something solid forming in the air, The wall of death is lowered in Times Square. No-one seems to care, They carry on as if nothing was there. The wind is blowing harder now, Blowing dust into my eyes. The dust settles on my skin, Making a crust I cannot move in And I'm hovering like a fly, waiting for the windshield on the freeway.Top
BROADWAY MELODY OF 1974
Echoes of the Broadway Everglades, With her mythical madonnas still walking in their shades: Lenny Bruce, declares a truce and plays his other hand. Marshall McLuhan, casual viewin', head buried in the sand. Sirens on the rooftops wailing, but there's no ship sailing. Groucho, with his movies trailing, stands alone with his punchline failing. Klu Klux Klan serve hot soul food and the band plays 'In the Mood' The cheerleader waves her cyanide wand, there's a smell of peach blossom and bitter almonde. Caryl Chessman sniffs the air and leads the parade, he know in a scent, you can bottle all you made. There's Howard Hughes in blue suede shoes, smiling at the majorettes smoking Winston Cigarettes. And as the song and dance begins, the children play at home with needles; needles and pins. CUCKOO COCOON
Wrapped up in some powdered wool-I guess I'm losing touch. Don't tell me I'm dying, 'cos I ain't changed that much. The only sound is water drops, I wonder where the hell I am, Some kind of jam? Cuckoo Cocoon have I come to, too soon for you? There's nothing I can recognise; this is nowhere that I've known. With no sign of life at all, I guess that I'm alone, And I feel so secure that I know this can't be real but I feel good. Cuckoo cocoon have I come to, too soon for you? I wonder if I'm a prisoner locked up in some Brooklyn jail -or some sort of Jonah shut up inside the whale. No-I'm still Rael and I'm stuck in some kind of cave, what could've saved me? Cuckoo cocoon have I come to, too soon for you?Top
IN THE CAGE
There's sunshine in my stomach Like I just rocked my baby to sleep. There's sunshine in my stomach And I can't keep me from creeping sleep, Sleep, deep in the deep. Rockface moves to press my skin White liquids turn sour within Turn fast-turn sour Turn sweat-turn sour. Must tell myself that I'm not here. I'm drowning in a liquid fear. Bottled in a strong compression, My distortion shows obsession In the cave. Get me out of this cave! If I keep my self-control, I'll be safe in my soul. And the childhood belief Brings a moment's relief, But my cynic soon returns And the lifeboat burns. My spirit just never learns. Stalactites, stalagmites Shut me in, lock me tight. Lips are dry, throat is dry. Feel like burning, stomach churning, I'm dressed up in a white costume Padding out leftover room. Body stretching, feel the wretching In the cage Get me out of this cage! In the glare of a light, I see a strange kind of sight; Of cages joined to form a star Each person can't go very far; All tied to their things They are netted by their strings, Free to flutter in memories of their wasted wings. Outside the cage I see my Brother John, He turns his head so slowly round. I cry out help! before he can be gone, And he looks at me without a sound. And I shout 'John please help me!' But he does not even want to try to speak. I'm helpless in my violent rage And a silent tear of blood dribbles down his cheek, And I watch him turn away and leave the cage. My little runaway. In a trap, feel a strap Holding still. Pinned for kill. Chances narrow that I'll make it, In the cushioned straight-jacket. Just like 22nd Street, When they got me by my neck and feet. Pressures building, can't take any more. My headaches charge. My earaches roar. In the pain Get me out of this pain. If I could change to liquid, I could fill the cracks up in the rock. But I know that I am solid And I am my own bad luck. But outside John disappears and my cage dissolves, and without any reason my body revolves. Keep on turning, Keep on turning, Turning around, spinning around. THE GRAND PARADE OF LIFELESS PACKAGING
"The last great adventure left to mankind" -Screams a drooping lady offering her dreamdolls at less than extortionate prices, and as the notes and coins are taken out I'm taken in, to the factory floor. For the Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging -All ready to use the Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging -just need a fuse. Got people stocked in every shade, Must be doing well with trade. Stamped, addressed, in odd fatality. That evens out their personality. With profit potential marked by a sign, I can recognise some of the production line, No bite at all in labour bondage, Just wrinkled wrappers or human bandage. The Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging -All ready to use It's the Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging -just need a fuse. The hall runs like clockwork Their hands mark out the time, Empty in their fullness Like a frozen pantomime. Everyone's a sales representative Wearing slogans in their shrine. Dishing out failsafe superlative, Brothere John is No. 9. For the Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging -All ready to use It's the Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging -just need a fuse. The decor on the ceiling has planned out their future day I see no sign of free will, so I guess I'll have to pay, pay my way, for the Grand Parade. for the Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging -All ready to use the Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging -just need a fuse.Top
BACK IN N.Y.C.
I see faces and traces of home back in New York City- So you think I'm a tough kid? Is that what you heard? Well I like to see some action and it gets into my blood. The call me the trail blazer-Rael-electric razor. I'm the pitcher in the chain gang, we don't believe in pain 'cos we're only as strong, as the weakesst link in the chain. Let me out of Pontiac when I was just seventeen, I had to get it out of me, if you know what I mean, what I mean. You say I must be crazy, 'cos KI don't care who I hit, who I hit. But I know it's me that's hitting out and I'm not full of shit. I don't care who I hurt, I don't care who I do wrong. This is your mess I'm stuck in, I really don't belong. When I take out my bottle, filled up high with gasoline, You can tell by the night fires where Rael has been, has been. As I cuddled the porcupine He said I had none to blame, but me. Held my heart, deep in hair, Time to shave, shave it off, it off. No time for romantic escape, When your fluffy heart is ready for rape. No! Off we go. You're sitting in your comfort you don't believe I'm real, You cannot buy protection from the way that I feel. Your progressive hypocrites hand out their trash, But it was mine in the first place, so I'll burn it to ash. And I've tasted all the strongest meats, And laid them down in coloured sheets. Who needs illusion of love and affection When you're out walking the streets with your mainline connection? connection. As I cuddle the porcupine He said I had none to blame, but me. Held my heart, deep in hair. Time to shave, shave it off, it off. No time for romantic escape, When your fluffy heart is ready for rape. No! HAIRLESS HEART
( Instrumental ) COUNTING OUT TIME
I'm counting out time, Got the whole thing down by numbers. All those numbers! Give my guidance! O Lord I need that now. The day of judgement's come, And you can bet that I've been resting, for this testing, Digesting every word the experts say. Erogenous zones I love you. Without you, what would a poor boy do? Found a girl I wanted to date, Thought I'd better get it straight. Went to buy a book before it's too late. Don't leave nothing to fate. And I have studied every line, every page in the book, And now I've got the real thing here, I'm gonna take a look, take a look. This is Rael! I'm counting out time, hoping it goes like I planned it, 'cos I understand it. Look! I've found the hotspots, Figs 1-9. -still counting out time, got my finger on the button, "Don't say nuttin-just lie there still And I'll get you turned on just fine." Erongenous zones I love you. Without you, what would a poor boy do? Touch and go with 1-6. Bit of trouble in zone No. 7. Gotta remember all of my tricks. There's heaven ahead in No. 11! Getting crucial responses with dialation of the pupils. "Honey get hip! It's time to unzip, to unzip. Whipee!" -Move over Casanova- I'm counting out time, reaction none to happy, Please don't slap me, I'm a red blooded male and the book said I could not fail. I'm counting out time, I got unexpected distress from my mistress, I'll get my money back from the bookstore right away. Erongenous zones I question you- Without you, what would a poor boy do? Without you, mankind handkinds thru' the blues.Top
THE CARPET CRAWLERS
There is lambswool under my naked feet. The wool is soft and warm, -gives off some kind of heat. A salamander scurries into flame to be destroyed. Imaginary creatures are trapped in birth on celluloid. The fleas cling to the golden fleece, Hoping they'll find peace. Each thought and gesture are caught in celluloid. There's no hiding in my memory. There's no room to void. The crawlers cover the floor in the red ochre corridor. For my second sight of people, they've more lifeblood than before. They're moving. They're moving in time to a heavy wooden door, Where the needle's eye is winking, closing in on the poor. The carpet crawlers heed their callers: "We've got to get in to get out We've got to get in to get out." There's only one direction in the faces that I see; It's upward to the ceiling, where the chambers said to be. Like the forest fight for sunlight, that takes root in every tree. They are pulled up by the magnet, believing that they're free. The carpet crawlers heed their callers: "We've got to get in to get out We've got to get in to get out." Mild mannered supermen are held in kryptonite, And the wise and foolish virgins giggle with their bodies glowing bright. Through a door a harvest feast is lit by candlight; It's the bottom of a staircase that spirals out of sight. The carpet crawlers heed their callers: "We've got to get in to get out We've got to get in to get out." The porcelain mannikin with shattered skin fears attack. The eager pack lift up their pitchers- the carry all they lack. The liquid has congealed, which has seeped out through the crack, And the tickler takes his stickleback. The carpet crawlers heed their callers: "We've got to get in to get out We've got to get in to get out." THE CHAMBER OF 32 DOORS
At the top of the stairs, their's hundreds of people, running around to all the doors. They try to find themselves an audience; their deductions need applause. The rich man stands in front of me, The poor man behind my back. They believe they can control the game, but the juggler holds another pack. I need someone to believe in, someone to trust. I need someone to believe in, someone to trust. I'd rather trust a countryman than a townman, You can judge by his eyes, take a look if you can, He'll smile through his guard, Survival trains hard. I'd rather trust a man who works with his hands, He looks at you once, you know he understands, Don't need any shield, When you're out in the field. But down here, I'm so alone with my fear, With everything that I hear. And every single door, that I've walked through Brings me back here again, I've got to find my own way. The priest and the magician, Singing all the chants that they have ever heard; They're all calling out my name, Even academics, searching printed word. My father to the left of me, My mother to the right, Like everyone else they'er pointing But nowhere feels quite right. And I need someone to believe in, someone to trust. I need someone to believe in, someone to trust. I'd rather trust a man who doesn't shout what he's found, There's no need to sell if you're homeward bound. If I chose a side, He won't take me for a ride. Back inside This chamber of so many doors; I've nowhere to hide. I'd give you all of my dreams, if you'd help me, Find a door That doesn't lead me back again -take me away.Top
PART 2
LILYWHITE LILITH
The chamber was in confusion-all the voices shouting loud. I could only just hear, a voice quite near say, "Please help me through the crowd" 'Said if I helped her thru' she could help me too, but I could see that she was wholly blind. But from her pale face and her pale skin, a moonlight shined. Lilywhite Lilith, She gonna take you thru' the tunnel of night. Lilywhite Lilith, She gonna lead you right. When I'd led her through the people, the angry noise began to grow. She said "Let me feel the way the breezes blow, and I'll show you where to go." So I followed her into a big round cave, she said "They're coming for you, now don't be afraid." Then she sat me down on a cold stone throne, carved in jade. Lilywhite Lilith, She gonna take you thru' the tunnel of night. Lilywhite Lilith, She gonna lead you right. She leaves me in my darkness, I have to face my fear, And the darkness closes in on me, I can hear a whirring sound growling near. I can see the corner of the tunnel, Lit up by whatever's coming here. Two golden globes float into the room And a blaze of white light fills the air. THE WAITING ROOM
( Instrumental ) ANYWAY
All the pumping's nearly over for my sweet heart, This is the one for me, Time to meet the chef, O boy! running man is out of death. Feel cold and old, it's getting hard to catch my breath. 's back to ash, now, you've had your flash boy The rocks, in time, compress your blood to oil, your flesh to coal, enrich the soil, not everybody's goal. Anyway, they say she comes on a plale horse, But I'm sure I hear a train. O boy! I don't even feel no pain- I guess I must be driving myself insane. Damn it all! does earth plug a hole in heaven, Or heaven plug a hole in the earth-'how wonderful to be so profound, when everything you are is dying underground.' I feel the pull on the rope, let me off at the rainbow. I could have been exploding in space Different orbits for my bones Not me, just quietly buried in stones, Keep the deadline open with my maker! See me stretch; for God's elastic acre The doorbell rings and it's "Good morning Rael So sorry you had to wait. It won't be long, yeh! She's very rarely late."Top
THE SUPERNATURAL ANAESTHETIST
Here comes the supernatural anaesthetist. If he wants you to snuff it, All he has to do is puff it -he's such a fine dancer. THE LAMIA
The scent grows richer, he knows he must be near, He finds a long passageway lit by chandelier. Each step he takes, the perfumes change >From familiar fragrance to flavours strange. A magnificent chamber meets his eye. Inside, a long rose-water pool is shrouded by fine mist. Stepping in the moist silence, with a warm breeze he's gently kissed. Thinking he is quite alone, He enters the room, as if it were his own, But ripples on the sweet pink water Reveal some company unthought of- Rael stands astonished doubting his sight, Struck by beauty, gripped in fright; Three vermilion snakes of female face, The smallest motion, filled with grace. Muted melodies fill the echoing hall, But there is no sign of warning in the siren's call: "Rael welcome, we are the Lamia of the pool. We have been waiting for our waters to bring you cool." Putting fear beside him, he trusts in beauty blind, He slips into the nectar, leaving his shredded clothes behind. "With their tongues, they test, taste and judge all that is mine. They move in a series of caresses That glide up and down my spine. As they nibble the fruit of my flesh, I feel no pain, Only a magic that a name would stain. With the first drop of my blood in their veins Their faces are convulsed in mortal pains. The fairest cries, 'We all have loved you Rael'." Each empty snakelike body floats, Silent sorrow in empty boats. A sickly sourness fills the room, The bitter harvest of a dying bloom. Looking for motion I know I will not find, I stroke the curls now turning pale, in which I'd lain entwined "O Lamia, your flesh that remains I will take as my food" It is the scent of garlic that lingers on my choclate fingers. Looking behind me, the water turns icy blue, The lights are dimmed and once again the stage is set for you.Top
SILENT SORROW IN EMPTY BOATS
THE COLONY OF SLIPPERMEN
THE ARRIVAL
Rael: I wandered lonely as a cloud, Till I came upon this dirty street. I've never seen a stranger crowd; Slubberdegullions on a squeaky feet, Continually pacing, With nonchalant embracing, Each orifice disgracing And one facing me moves to say "hellay". His skin's all covered in slimy lumps. With lips that slide across each chin. His twisted limbs like rubber stamps Are waved in welcome say 'Please join in.' My grip must be flipping, Cos his handshake keeps slipping, My hopes keep on dipping And his lips keep on smiling all the time. Slipperman: "We like you, have tasted love. Don't be alarmed at what you see, You yourself are just the same As what you see in me." Rael: Me, like you? like that! Slipperman: "You better watch it son, your sentence has only just begun You better run and join your brother John."Top
THE RAVEN
He places the number into a tube, A yellow plastic "shoobedoobe". It says: "Though your fingers may tickle You'll be safe in our pickle." Suddenly, black cloud comes down from the sky. It's a supersize black bird that sure can fly. The raven brings on darkness and night He flies right down, gives me one hell of a fright. He takes the tube right out of my hands Man, I've got to find out where that black bird lands. "Look here John, I've got to run I need you now, you going to come?" He says to me. John: "Now can't you see Where the raven flies there's jeopardy. We've been cured on the couch Now you're sick with your grouch. I'll not risk my honey pouch Which my slouch will wear slung very low." Rael: He walks away and leaves me once again. Even though I never learn, I'd hoped he'd show just some concern. I'm in agony of Slipperpain I pray my undercarriage will sustain. The chase is on, the pace is hot But I'm running so very hard with everything I've got. He leads me down an underpass Though it narrows, he still flies very fast, When the tunnel stops I catch sight of the tube, just as it drops. I'm on top of a bank, to steep to climb, I see it hit the water, just in time, to watch it float away. RAVINE
( Instrumental ) THE LIGHT DIES DOWN ON BROADWAY
As he walks along the gorge's edge, He meets a sense of yesteryear. A window in the bank above his head Reveals his home amidst the streets. Subway sounds, the sounds of complaint The smell of acid on his gun of paint. As it carves out anger in a blood-red band, Destroyed tomorrow by an unknown hand; -My home. Is this the way out from this endless scene? Or just an entrance to another dream? And the light dies down on Broadway. But as the skylight beckons him to leave, He hears a scream fro far below. Within the raging water, writhes the form Of brother John, he cries for help. The gate is fading now, but open wide, But John is drowning, I must decide Between the freedom I had in the rat-race, Or to stay forever in this forsaken place; Hey John! He makes for the river and the gate is gone, Back to the void where it came from. And the light dies down on Broadway.Top
RIDING THE SCREE
Struggling down the slope, There's not much hope. I begin to try to ride the scree, but the rocks are tumbling all around me. If I want John alive, I've got to ditch my fear-take a dive, While I've still got my drive to survive. Evel Knievel, you got nothing on me. Here I go! IN THE RAPIDS
Moving down the water John is drifting out of sight, It's only at the turning point That you find out how to fight. In the cold, feel the cold all around And the rush of crashing water Surround me with its sound. Striking out to reach you, I can't get through to the other side. When you're racing in the rapids There's only one way, that's to ride. Taken down, taken down by the undertow And I'm spiralled down the river bed, My fire is burning low. Catching hold of a rock that's firm, I'm waiting for John to be carried past. We hold together and shoot the rapids fast. And when the waters slow down The dark and the deep have no-one left to keep. Hang on John! We're out of this at last. Something's changed, that's not your face. It's mine! IT
When it's cold, it comes slow. it is warm, just watch it grow. -all around me. it is here. it is now. Just a little bit of it can bring you up or down. Like the supper it is cooking in your hometown. it is chicken, it is eggs, it is in between your legs. it is walking on the moon, leaving your cocoon. it is the jigsa. it is purple haze. it never stays in one place, but it's not a passing phase, it is in the single's bar, in the distance of the face, it is in between the cages, it is always in a space it is here. it is now. Any rock can be made to roll, If you've enough of it to pay the toll. it has no home in words or goal, Not even in your favourite hole. it is the hope for the dope. When you ride the horse without a hoof. it is shaken, not stirred; Cocktails on the roof. When you eat right fru it you see everything alive, it is inside spirit, with enough grit to survive If you think it's pretentious, you've been taken for a ride. Look across the mirror, before you chose de cide it is here. it is now it is Real. it is Rael 'cos it's only knock and knowall, but I like it.Top
