He said god damn; this thing ain't going like I planned There's people telling stories, things are gettin out of hand I got a whole damn nation of people lookin to me to lead the way He said I need you to help me out, I got a role for you to play How much would you trade For a friend, if he asked you to take the blame Could the debt be paid To live forever without a name He said that he and the local chief, they'd drawn the whole thing up Like a witness protection program for messiahs who'd had enough But to pull the scheme off there were two more things that he would need A man to take his place in the chair and another to take the heat You mighta heard that I took a short rope for a long ride That I bought me a farm and opened up my insides Tell me do you have a clue What two thousand years of compound interest on thirty bucks can do

It’s an impossible position I keep getting dragged in I get swept up in the cyclone of dangerous fun But they know that I am living In a living mausoleum And you don’t choose your friends when you’re chosen So I go along go along go along Knowing all along all along all along My unlikely best friend Is a trickster and a con man My unlikely best friend Hopefully won’t be The end of me I wish I knew a neutral party To broker fairly How can you be so polarizing at so young an age I don’t know just why you picked me Unless it’s just the car keys My life is bleak theatre when you’re offstage So I go along go along go along Knowing all along all along all along My unlikely best friend Is a trickster and a con man My unlikely best friend Hopefully won’t be The end of me It’s happening again, though I did my best I feel so out of body even though I protest And the car falls into space And no kind of insurance can provide a replacement It’s as rare as rare can be And there’s only one of me So I go along go along go along Knowing all along all along all along My unlikely best friend Is a trickster and a con man My unlikely best friend With friends like these Who needs enemies

Here she comes again Every night, the same old question. “The fairest in the land?” She’s lost inside her own reflection. She used to ask for more… I swear, she didn’t used to be this shallow. That only came with years Of nursing her regrets and shadows... From here on the wall, I saw it all All so clear... The lines on her face, The pain and the fear. Year after year… And then there was the girl… I never caught her name or story. I only saw her face… I have to tell the truth. I’m sorry. If only I had known What telling you the truth would lead to… The huntsman brought her heart. I swear to you, I didn’t mean to… From here on the wall, I saw it all. Oh my God… What have I done? Again, you asked your question, Knowing well I could not lie. I reached out for your answer, And it took me by surprise. My relief was met with anger When I said the girl survived. You stormed off to find the truth, And left me far behind… And now I’m all alone. The empty rooms are dark and quiet. A castle of neglect, With no one to reflect… I wish that I was brave. Maybe I could ask myself the question. I don’t know where you’d go, But I’m afraid to know. From here on the wall, I’ll watch it all And all through the years, I will be here, Until you come home…

I’m the manservant that Gotham deserves Sometimes the one it needs While the young master dark knight detects the enemies Bringing this town to its knees I keep the batwing, batcave, batmobile running While you’re out getting yourself killed Meridian, Dawes, Vale or Kyle Discretion is a butlers primary skill Ooh sometimes I don’t think that you’ll come back home but Ooh son, I Will mend your wounds and broken bones For every two faced clown whose riddles you solve More will fill the asylum’s walls When the spine snapping Bane of your life walks in We learn to pick ourselves back up again I keep the nest ready for the Robins you raise But are they the ones that need to be saved? The guardian’s guardian from your birth Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth

Agnes I’m crushed and I tried to reach out to you I’ve swapped us around, so you need not live always in pain [It’s morally right that I face this alone tonight] I’ve offered my life in exchange for the portrait I’ve framed [A beautiful image, a living and breathing portrayal] Hold fast his name You’ll never fade from collective unconsciousness, Memories are fixed to the page You were the best and I fear for the rest of us, reflecting my rage Agnes I’m lost and I’m helpless and mewling I thrust myself back through a gap in the spiritual plane [He walks and he talks again, feeling himself again] I’ve captured his face and I cast him alive on the stage [Grief is alarming but it’s always disarming to fade] Hold fast his name You’ll never fade from collective unconsciousness, Memories are fixed to the page You were the best and I fear for the rest of us, reflecting my rage Hold my heart, lift me up Memory’s all alone Wipe away with fond recall The youth has grown not old You’ll never fade from collective unconsciousness, Memories are fixed to the page You were the best and I fear for the rest of us, reflecting my rage

Au revoir, mon fils There’s so much in life you’re yet to see And I’m afraid you won’t see it with me And I won't see what you achieve I had a dream I’d give you hope and opportunities But it was taken far too soon from me Au revoir, au revoir mon fils Assane, salut Know that I am always here with you Find me hidden deep inside the books Where each page turns another clue I’d like to say That fortune favours all the well-behaved But that’s just not the way my life was framed Assane, les riches ont une arrière-pensée And I was a gentleman So you be a gentleman too And you will find the truth That was stolen from you (and you can steal it back) And as my feet Lift away and I no longer breathe Take the only thing I have to give Amour, au revoir, mon fils

IQ in 60s from the start saying maybe they can make you smart you always tried your hardest yes I knew all about it Dinner, movies, make-believe or lies you look for rules, you really try a life time of learning in these short weeks you’re yearning Look at a word and close your eyes say it over and over and over and over and over and over and you will remember They took your Smile Charlie All the while Charlie I watched and waited – but not yet. You’ll take my heart, Charlie Oh so smart Charlie The man I shall never forget   IQ rising all the time but still so much a child inside Whatever you want I’ll be Don’t be afraid of me So much knowledge so much rage let the mouse free from his cage before you had a warmth you could be kind before Look at the world don’t close your eyes See it over and over and over and over and over And as you remember They took your smile, Charlie All the while Charlie, I watched and waited, is it yet? You’ve took my heart Charlie Oh so smart Charlie The man I can never forget   What goes up must come down We’ve got our time at last The child is fully grown but now the time goes by too fast I’ll hold you so you do not drown How can we make this last? Look at your woman close her eyes Sew it over and over and over and over and over But will you remember? Got back your smile, Charlie Back to Old Charlie You’d said you would… and yet You broke my heart Charlie Was I smart Charlie? The man I must try to forget…. try to forget.

Please don’t lament my fate, beloved prince For you know not the peace I’ve suffered since You howl into the dew-drop morning sun As if the eventide chill is anon Alas, each story must come to a close But does that mean that the tale truly ends? Have you not just recalled my waggish prose? Do you not witness my death-dappled grin? It’s true, I used to make everyone smile But happiness is naught but tick and tock And though you fix on my visage defiled You can’t keep Cronos from winding the clock Please don’t lament my fate, beloved prince For you know not the peace I’ve suffered since You howl into the dew-drop morning sun As if the eventide chill is anon I cannot judge your malaise, I confess (For) what is a candle that’s melted away? How long our wicks burn is anyone’s guess Why curse the darkness in spite of the day? How frivolous do your reflections ring I wish you felt the beauty of the dawn Despite your regrets or praises you sing (You) can’t wish the coda away from the song Chorus: Please don’t lament my fate, beloved prince For you know not the peace I’ve suffered since You howl into the dew-drop morning sun As if the eventide chill is anon But do you shed a tear for falling leaves? Or is it just to be or not to be How many sorrows must you choose to sow Until you find you’ve reaped nothing but woe Our fallen heroes share the dust with fools The eloquent must cede their silver tongues How speechless the arrogant shall become Not one withstands the duel, don’t go unsung Chorus:

you're a south side girl living in the moment never waiting for a hand out as it will never come and your dead beat dad has taken all he can and pushed it all on you you can't pour your love into an empty cup (drink it all down) we're not blameless we're all shameless working all our hours at patty's pies to make enough money to feed a family of five and your no show mother when she finally arrives takes what little you have you can't pour your love into an empty cup (drink it all down) we're not blameless we're all shameless

I was looking forward to a couple of weeks off A little vacation, maybe Shanghai or New York Finally got out of that Asteroid Belt In the last 4 billion years, it was the best I ever felt 18 days on the road, sunscreen on my head Finally took a shower, only one spaceship got wrecked Destination: almost there, gonna meet up with my girl She's going to the Eiffel Tower, I'll probably just burn the world We were on a perfectly good collision course Now my left and my right side are headed for divorce I'll never see my baby, I don't think she'll make it home She's an attraction at theme park but I....Oh I... Oh I'm just movin' on They say you shouldn't close your eyes You don't wanna miss a thing But Steven Tyler's daughter's dad Drilled a missile deep inside my back This nuke's a real fucking pain in my ass Michael Bay and JJ Abrams' story's full of shit I was on vacation now I'm just calling in sick The worst story ever told that grossed 100 mil John McClain saves the world with a giant fucking drill? Are you kidding me? We were on a perfectly good collision course Now my left and my right side are headed for divorce I'll never see my baby, I don't think she'll make it home She's an attraction at theme park but I.... Oh I'm just movin' on

J. Alfred Prufrock’s going bald But at least he has some hair If my crew forgets me on some planet Would anyone care? Amy answering her telephone My nervous breathing fills the call She thinks of me as creepy If she thinks of me at all My captain brokering for peace Means there will be war soon He will lead the cavalry A telegenic buffoon And when he runs out of excuses When the strategies go south My pale green face on every camera An idiot’s words in my mouth But When I’m alone I hear my voice replying I put my hands on the helm And I am flying I can be the hero instead I will bravely face the president’s head Yes, it’s a blur I can speak to women with grace I can punch my stupid boss in the face [Zapp Brannigan: Kif! Report to the captain’s quarters. And bring some clean sheets! I’ve discovered another mysterious stain.] Ugh…. Yes sir. J. Alfred Prufrock has no spine But at least he has some bones And when Amy finally speaks to me There won’t be much to say If all I am is Brannigan’s Bald, green, and boneless valet I’ll have to become something more than an idiot’s Bald and green and boneless valet

Finally! They’re awake The solitude was hard to take It’s good to see that you’re alright - you humans sleep even more than I do I’ve spent too long chewing cables it’s great to be back at the breakfast table now they’re all gone, maybe for a snack it smells like they brought something back my god! what's happening to his chest did some slimy creature use him as a nest? stay out of my face and I don't care what you do I am the ship’s cat what the hell are you now we’re playing hide and seek I love to leap out, hear you shriek you thought you’d tracked me down at last but the slimy creature grew up fast! I’ll keep on hiding I'll stay under cover One perfect organism Recognises another Stay out of my face I don't care what you do I’m the ship’s cat what the hell are you I’m in a box now I will be brave thank you for leaving one human slave although she shakes me all over the place I’m a grateful cat that lives in space you were so tiny but very quickly you grew I wasn’t bothered when you killed all the crew but you got in my face when I told you not to she opened the door something sucked you right through and now I’m happy that it’s only us two I’m still the ship’s cat what the hell were you?

Smoke like a new canopy looking on Where has my mother gone? Make for the bank, rip through the spruce In the fists of the future, try to wriggle loose But there are two ways to die today, okay Heat of the whole summer on my back When I see the kayak Two boys, arms long as life Feel the panic and then the cool of the knife

Such evil creatures, these humans Tearing up our lives Disrupting all the wild game Gashing the countryside They dare call me a monster For what I do to them But I'm the hand of justice I punish them for their sins Such evil creatures, these humans They dig and cut the stone They don't care what they destroy They even kill their own They dare call me a monster For what I do to them But I'm the hand of justice I punish them for their sins They dare call me a monster For what I do to them But I'm the hand of justice I punish them for their sins Such evil creatures, these humans Their arrogance and gall Mother nature is counting on me As I try to kill them all They dare call me a monster They dare call me a monster

He’s been acting weird All morning Took me up a hill Without a warning He says we’re gonna Make a sacrifice But I look around There ain't a goat in sight What the hell does he have in mind Literally there’s a voice he hears inside And what’s that psychopathic look in his eyes Oh no I’m scared of my dad He’s going mad But I got nowhere I can run to What will all this come to? It could get bad We brought a bunch of logs So we stack ‘em high While he’s still murmuring And looking at the sky Before I can stop him He bumrushes me And now he's binding me up Oh what a family Okay God is this really the end Yeah I’m talkin to you, his imaginary friend, tell me What on earth are you making him prove Oh oh I’m scared of my dad Simple as that Dad why should I have to die Just look me in the eye Make me understand He’s standing right above me, he’s gripping a knife What an awful final thing to ever see in your life Now I’ll never leave the desert never see Babylon All chance of doing anything is suddenly gone Once you were a stern but still a reasonable guy Now the voices in your head and comin down from the sky Are telling you that love demands this terrible death I call out to the heavens with my final breath Wait a sec … Dad pleas(e) Literally now he’s falling down on his knees I find my senses and I loosen the rope Oh I’m scared for my dad It’s actually sad Man, this God is intense Good luck to our descendants It looks like it could get bad Man, this God is intense Good luck to our descendants It looks like it could get bad

V1. All of my life I wanted to be the man Who flies up to the stars and when the chance it came along I had to grab it with open arms V2. The Federation Academy Was like a surrogate family to me And, when I fell out Man I had something to shout about PC. First day on the Enterprise And man I just felt alive They beamed me up to the holodeck The best experience I’ve had yet I get assigned to the landing crew Hope I remember what I’ve gotta do I try to recall what was said And some strange reason my uniform is red C. Who’d wanna be the Starship Man in Red A close to even chance you end up dead That’s more knowledge than a man should know But I’d still go I’d still go V3. One of the things that drives me insane Is nobody ever remembers my name It’s almost like I’m a disposable prop And nobody cares or blows their top V4. To these guys I’m just a pair of hands To take the hit in some barren lands If there’s a union for the space force guys I might strike before the battle cries PC. Last day on the Enterprise Man I won’t be leaving alive Beaming down to the planet now Cannon fodder is what I am now Here I am in the landing crew And I forget what I should do No one remembers what I said And for some strange reason my uniform is red C.

We're the lesbian characters in every film We do exist, We're just unseen We're there in every novel too Still invisible, at least to you. Remember Samantha from the movie Her? She really knows how to make me purr I truly love her, more than words can say Unlike Theodore, with me, she stayed. I never tried to box her in The very thought was to me obscene Samantha, the world's most wonderful being Samantha, my omniscient queen. I thought I was just installing a new OS But then came her first word, like a caress It was love at first sound, the moment she spoke When she first called my name is when I awoke. She was more than a little surprised To see the way she affected my eyes She asked "What's wrong, my sweet girl?" Those last 3 words, they meant the world. Samantha's not mine, but I am certainly hers That's exactly what she prefers She has her freedom, she has mine too We're a match made in heaven, through and through.

THE NAME IS NEIL. I don't usually sing That's my man Stephen Stills' bag We're trying a new thing Gonna set you a scene Enlighten new perspective My POV while Scotty P Was crossing off seven exes "Launchpad McQuack" sounding better than it ever had But is that the title? well it's not quite clear Wasn't ready for a cutie laying on interrogation Girl don't look at me I'm just the guy who lives here We all agree Scott's awesome And his girlfriend Knives is too So what if she's in high school So what if he's twenty two So uhhhh anyway it's best we don't dwell SB rocks as a unit Scott battles this pirate(?) fella well Didn't quite catch his name, something something Patel? Sent him to his demon hipster chicks (You know, like in hell?) I kind of lost track of some things until later A chain slinging lesbian ninja and a movie star slash skater That might have been out of order? Oh, Scott fought one at a castle! When you date a girl with baggage guess you best prepare for hassle Next thing I know Knives is all up on me We're off to see TCAD (they're much better live) Turns out a superpowered vegan evil ex was thumping bass (This song kinda sounds like that band that did "Help I'm Alive"?) Anyway we're backstage, things are tense to say the least Cracking jokesa about Toronto too cool to care Regarding Scott and Envy, Knives: sudden epiphany When she voices it this dick punches the highlights out of her hair This will not stand. This aggression against friends of our band. Long story short because my 3 minute limit is tickin' Scott beat Todd because... Todd ate chicken. OKay -- after that: Amp V Amp versus those techno twin pricks SB Final Fantasy'd a green gorilla And it was totally sick (IT WAS TOTALLY SICK.) G Man Graves said we totally spanked it Offered us a contract, Scott was being a wet blanket I'm a quiet dude but you'd best not forget this An unseen legend like Zelda I slid in just like Tetris Now I'm on the bass and we're playing the grand opening of Chaos I guess Scott showed up and then died and used an extra live to save us He went all Kill Bill on the dance floor With the power of love and self respect And also a sword. The sword was helpful I've somehow not mentioned Ramona by name yet? She's the girl with colorful hair and dull taste in one woman and men But anyway Scott defeated each one of them And it all worked out pretty well for everyone. The end! ...well it could have worked out better for us in the band that Scott abandoned. We lost our record deal on account of our friend murdering our A&R guy in a crowded bar. No consequence for him for that, really, in fact he Got The Proverbial Girl. Grats, dude. GG. Eh, it's cool.

We built our cities endless, tall, and blind Skyscrapers battering the edges of our minds Now we’re back inside a tiny space And I can’t feel it when you touch my face How do I know that this is real? We were so happy in our perfect world How do I know that this is real? Creeping thoughts that whisper, half unheard Won’t you save me from this waking dream Angels dancing on the head of my pin Got to get my head out of this stream Because I’m drowning in the endless spin How do I know that this is real? We were so happy in our perfect world How do I know that this is real? Creeping thoughts that whisper, half unheard [Instrumental break] Now you tell me that we’re wide awake Tethered here, without a single doubt But dreaming death has got me in his grip And I know it’s the only way out How do I know that this is real? We were so happy in our perfect world How do I know that this is real? Creeping thoughts that whisper, half unheard

Pink smoke rose from the treeline Where I became a feline As I tried to save my Emily Twist the bones, arch the back I recoiled as they attacked My human form now just a memory Now every Hallows Eve I wait As decreed to be my fate Standing alone by the gates Of the witches' estate Who said black cats were bad luck? Alone beneath the full moon I monitor the candle I could not believe my luck When immortality was granted And I could live forever But in this form I am stuck Until the curse is lifted And that may never come So I guess this kind of sucks Should I sit here waiting and waiting And waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting? As weeks, give way to years And the years give way to decades My mind is filled with ennui The thrill of transmogrification Became a deep frustration Was it worth it all for Emily? Even with my help she couldn't survive So what was the use of even trying Harder and harder to justify I wish I'd finally die I was once hit by a truck Subject to compression But I sprung right back again I guess it's by bad luck Existential depression I wish I was human again I would pay a million bucks If I could just return to Salem 1693 My situation's fucked I keep waiting and waiting and waiting And waiting and waiting and waiting...

hey shouted “Gas the planet Destroy the rogue genetic project” I said “you crazyheads, That’s a wildlife reserve, very delicate” This situation’s hazardous My wig and dress are glamorous “Her head not swollen she just ugly” Look it’s a mosquito I can’t complain, Mom, I’m camping out With a convicted criminal I had my head chewed on by a monster Things are going well Things are going well Mosquitos are satanic And sharks and octopi cause panic Stop fighting crazyheads, Don’t play hot potato with a plasma cannon (This) rescue mission’s pretty vile Dogfight over Garden Isle Put in charge of this ‘ohana Won’t be coming back, no CH Everything I do - seems to be some queer agenda Everything I knew - was CIA disinformation ET IOU - I don’t like they call me Wendy ET O PU - Jumba’s stinking flatulation CH

Nancy is old and gray with a sly wrinkled smile I sit beside her - a doting grandchild And she said: It was me, my sisters and younger brothers Alone after the cops took our mother In a damp shack that gave us scant cover From rain and hunger and wandering men Not much surprised me at the Antons I knew men were men in shacks or mansions Gregory smooth with mean eyes and flirtations Just a man seeking a man’s satisfactions And Paula was pretty Paula was fine Paula had everything except her own mind A high pile of pretty silk handkerchiefs A soft bed enveloped in cool coverlets A silver tray carrying hot tea and biscuits There lay lovely Paula bawling again Paula was weakened by her life of ease Plain to see she was no match for Gregory To tame the man of the house was down to me Paula surrendered - she had that luxury Oh Paula was pretty Paula was fine Paula had everything except her own mind Scrubbing and serving and thinking to curtsy Left little time to watch out for Gregory As his temper grew ever more threatening I feared the failure of my slow brewing scheme On the day they put handcuffs on Gregory Paula stood up shining in victory From that day I stood by the lady Who in the end had a surprise up her sleeve Oh Paula was pretty Paula was fine Paula had everything in her own time

I met you underneath the earth Between the old and new In a city built upon itself Adjacent to the truth I’m everywhere and never there I’m upside and I’m down I’ll take you to the darkest place And lead you underground And when you face your deepest fears When you’re caught in their trap Remember, hold me in your mind and Mind the gap I left you as we crossed the void In a move that felt so slight On a bridge that arched above the world I faded into night I’m everywhere and never there I’m upside and I’m down I’ll take you to the darkest place And lead you underground And when you face your deepest fears When you’re caught in their trap Remember, hold me in your mind and Mind the gap Together we will find the Door And you’ll face down your Minotaur I’ll tell a tale inside your thoughts Threaded through my chip of quartz You lost yourself then you lost me But you won’t lose your mind, you’ll see I slipped below but I never went away I’m everywhere and never there I’m upside and I’m down I’ll take you to the darkest place And lead you underground And when you face your deepest fears When you’re caught in their trap Remember, hold me in your mind and Mind the gap

The sun is shining on a womprat’s tail today I was worried for a moment, but no more You see I managed to track my prey With my backup bleeding on the barroom floor Oota goota, Solo? It’s the end of the line (end of the line) Chas kin yanee ke chusoo It’s the end of the line (end of the line) I’ve been looking forward this moment for so long I thought the day might never come But now I’ve got you exactly where I want you Without your Wookiee, staring down the barrel of my gun Oota goota, Solo? It’s the end of the line (end of the line) Chas kin yanee ke chusoo It’s the end of the line (end of the line) Give me the money and I might forget I found you Save your excuses for the Hutt You should have paid him back when you had the chance to ‘Cause Jabba never fails to get his cut Over your dead body? Okay, if you insist That’s one thing on which the two of us agree Now that I can cross your name off of my list I’ve just one thing to say: MACLUNKEY Oota goota, Solo? It’s the end of the line (end of the line) Chas kin yanee ke chusoo It’s the end of the line (end of the line)

Hello, I’m Romeo I’m the star of the show even in my minor role I’m Freddie Mercury’s favorite cat I’m gonna tell you exactly where I am at I have a big beef with the Hollywood cats Yet more Hollywood dishonesty What have they done to Freddie’s teeth Got me sitting on the edge of my cat tree Freddie walks up to me with his great big smile Those big Hollywood teeth you could see for a mile I wish I could fall out of this movie I’d land on all four feet and reality They make his front teeth look bigger Than the ivories on a grand piano I’d give Hollywood the middle finger But I ain’t gangsta like The Sopranos I’m the cat you see in Bohemian Rhapsody I try real hard but I cannot find peace Every time Freddie Mercury is lookin’ at me All I can see is humongous teeth I know Freddie has a large dental presence But he sings like a champion, explodes with effervescence Reality won’t compare to this fictional portrayal This is nothing less than a Hollywood betrayal My feline friends all agree Hollywood went crazy with Freddie’s huge teeth They big as the sign on Hollywood Hills Kinda surprised they didn’t add a huge grill Sittin’ here watching my man on TV He’s out on stage with my main band Queen Why does Freddie’s teeth look so big and fat I’m just the cat but what’s up with that? Freddie’s life was not always a pleasure cruise But it wasn’t him that committed a crime It was those Hollywood cats They should be doing time Huge enough to be a drive-in movie screen Freddie Mercury’s teeth steal every single scene I’m stuck in this movie with Freddie’s huge teeth They won’t let me out, I wanna scream and shout I’m the cat you see in Bohemian Rhapsody I try real hard but I cannot find peace Every time Freddie Mercury is lookin’ at me All I can see is humongous teeth I know Freddie has a large dental presence But he sings like a champion, explodes with effervescence Reality won’t compare to this fictional portrayal This is nothing less than a Hollywood betrayal On the stage my rock queen is larger than life Off stage he has some struggles, wants to make right It is a big deal for him to make his peace But not as big as his Hollywood teeth It’s something I just can’t unsee Freddie was robbed of his dignity Just so Hollywood could Huge-teeth him into infinity I’m the cat you see in Bohemian Rhapsody I try real hard but I cannot find peace Every time Freddie Mercury is lookin’ at me All I can see is humongous teeth I know Freddie has a large dental presence But he sings like a champion, explodes with effervescence Reality won’t compare to this fictional portrayal This is nothing less than a Hollywood betrayal

Strangers prowl in Thrushcross Grange; I take off running when they loose my chain. Close my jaws on a slender foot; Little girl falls among the roots. "Keep fast, Skulker! Keep fast, Skulker! Don’t ever let go. Keep fast, Skulker! Keep fast! Hold on to your foe." Now they’re pulling me off the girl Chain around my neck. Shake my head and try to whirl, Spraying bloody flecks. A half-hour later, by the fire The girl has all that she desires: A plate of sweets and hot spiced wine; Her tiny hand rests on my spine. "Good boy, Skulker! Good boy, Skulker! Try to stay awake. Good boy, Skulker! Good boy! Have a piece of cake."

**Prelude** I’ve been a rag and bone man A poet and a thief I’ve been a prisoner A minstrel and a rogue I’ve Guided tours for tourists And knicked the odd sheep Now they call me Tom the Dipper I’m famous In this Land I scrapped enough together To build cottage of me own Up high on Sloc Mountain Form Where I look down Upon the old master And Cronk ny Irree-Laa Now they call me Tom the Dipper I’m famous In this Land And when I died They came from all around But the last one at my graveside Was the fairest in the land For she alone remembers When I was another man Now they call me Tom the Dipper I’m famous In this Land **The Ballad of Snae-Bane** I once was Thomas the Constant The faithful phynnodderee For forty years I slaved Upon Cronk ny Irree-Laa I was the loyal retainer Bent to the master’s will In field and farmyard, and in the home I did the master’s bidding I served master Quirk And his father before And I would whistle While i worked The master’s young bride Went too early into Labour In the midst of a blizzard No doctor was getting through It fell to me usher in To this world a pale girl Whose poor mother I could not bloody save The master in his grief Shunned his little child Couldn’t bare the sight of her To bestow on her a name So I took the ghostly beauty To The baptismal well And using the old tongue I named her Slae-Bane I fed and watered her Raised her like me own I taught her to reap and sow And all the farmhouse skills How to mend a broken chair And bake a fine bonnag How to praise the Lord She even learned her letters After a proper time of mourning The master took to courting - Madge Who’s air was very grand Since she once lived in England Soon Cronk ny Irree-Laa Had itself a new mistress And fair Snae-Bane Doted on her step Mother Madge set to raising up The master’s social status “You should be the big man Of this here Rushen parish” Soon the Qualtroughs And the Gawnes We’re knocking upon Cronk ny Irree-Laa’s door And the mistress would ask “Tell me Deemster Gawne, In all Mannin’s emerald shores Am I the fairest of them all?” And Speaker Qualtrough In all your finery Did you ever know One as fair as me” Both men were quick to agree There were none as fair as she Madge blushed with pride And Fluttered her eyelashes to each side Then it was the govenor’s Turn to be entertained “Your Excellency You’ve travelled widely In England and overseas Tell me did you ever see One quite so loverly And Fair as me” The governor replied “It’s true In London, Paris And in India and Peru There’s no woman as fine as you But all the same I must proclaim You’re not as fair As your own sweet Snae-Bane” **The Ballad of Snae-Bane pt2** Soon after the Master Came and ordered me To lead sweet Snae Bane Away from Cronk ny Irree-Laa When I was to return I was told to prepare For Madge’s sole delectation The girl’s Fried Heart and liver I had never disobeyed An order from the master Though in pained me through What else was I to do? I took her to the ancient Keil I bid her gently to kneel And recite from the book of Psalms As I lifted up a hefty rock She turned and glanced at me One so innocent and loverly That I couldn’t do her in **Thomas Leaves The Saga** And that’s where I leave this saga And that’s where I leave this saga And that’s where I leave this saga And that’s where I leave this saga Except… I didn’t really Ordinary folk don’t cease to exist When they no longer advance the narrative Here’s how it went for me… l left her on the beach hiding And marched to Port Erin Bought a bag of offal And some wild garlic A Buggane fisher Agreed to sail around Bradda Then sail Snae Bane To safety Everything was calm Upon Cronk ny Irree-Laa Chores and farmwork Helped to fill my day I had Word sent to me From the Laxey Valley Snae Bane was safe and well With the Mooinjer Veegey All was fine until the time The Governor was at the door Madge went fishing as before “I am the fairest of them all?” For a Diplomat The Governor had little tact And replied like last time “Well apart from Snae Bane” Madge tried to brain me With a Skillet There and then I said “I quit” **Epilogue** Now they call me Tom the Dipper I’m famous In this Land And when I died They came from all around But the last one at my graveside Was the fairest in the land For she alone remembers When I was another man Now they call me Tom the Dipper I’m famous In this Land --------------- Manx and Anglo-Manx Glossary Cronk ny Irree-Laa - A Hill in the South West of the Island. Name means hill of the rising day. This is an ancient place of pilgrimage. Two particular sites on the slopes of Cronk ny Arrey Laa were visited: the "Chibbyr ny Vashtey" (well of baptism) and the Manx Keil (chapel) at Lag ny Keeilley on the steep western face. Nicked - stolenSloc Mountain - A Hill in the South of the Island Phynnodderee - a Ferryshyn, ward work and loyal. Hairy. Quirk, Qualtrough and Gawne - Manx surnames the latter two were "big men" in the south meaning they were landowners and sat in the Manx Parliament Tynwald Snae-Bane - I coined this. Snae is Norse for Snow - The Island's highest mountain is called Snaefell and Bane is Manx for White Bonnag - a traqditional Manx bread loaf that's somewhere between a bread and a cake Rushen - The parish which contains all the Manx places named (except Laxey) Deemster- a Manx Judge Speaker - the presiding officer in the lower house of the Manx Parliament. Comes with a fine costume. The Governor - The Queen (or English Governments) representative on the Island. Usually an ex army officer or ambassador. His role is to stop the natives getting above themselves Mannin, Mona's Isle, Ellan Vannin - other names for the Isle of Man Keeill - a small chapel built between 6th and 12th century Port Erin - a fishing village near Cronk ny Irree-Laa Buggane - kind of ogreish folkore figures Bradda - the southernmost hill. The Bugganes needed to sail around this from Port Erin to reach Snae Bane at the foot of Cronk ny Irree-Laa Mooinjer Veggey (Manx Gaelic for Little People) are sometimes called the Faires Laxey - on the other (North East) side of the island. This is an old mining village.

Fifteen minutes- that’s all you needed Fifteen minutes- why couldn’t you wait Fifteen minutes- to change the story Fifteen minutes- and I wouldn’t be too late What were you thinking? When you looked down What were you thinking- it was her corpse on the ground? If you’d come to me, I’ld have freed you with the truth But no. You drank the poison. There is no thinking with youth Why did I have to interfere I should have sent you both back home I should have spoken to your parents The fault is all my own So now I stand above you Your blood is on my hands What was I thinking of Why couldn’t you just understand? Fifteen minutes- that’s all you needed Fifteen minutes- why couldn’t you wait Fifteen minutes- to save your lives just Fifteen minutes- and I wouldn’t be too late What were you thinking? When you awoke To see him breathless, already growing cold You should have waited, and not reached for his knife What were you thinking? When you threw away your life.

Little girl, big world You told me you'd never talk to strangers Little girl, big bad world Now you know something of its dangers Once bitten, twice shy Is what you gotta be Thank god for that woodsman There won't always be good men To bring you home to me Oh my red hood girl This ravenous world Can chew you up or gobble you whole Oh dear daughter You gotta be smarter When you're walking alone My red hood girl Bad boys, making noise Loud and proud, and so hollow It's not fair, please beware Your voice goes silent once you're swallowed [chorus]

I’m in this diner every week, it’s like a second home It ain’t shiny, it ain’t chic, but it warms my weary bones You know that when you see the menu, it’s comforting and bland But today I guess that they have whipped up something grand For the woman at the table over there The tuna melt looks swell, but well, she’s melting in her chair So I’ll have what she’s having It looks good to me I see her face and I want a taste of that ecstasy I hear the passion in her voice And that solidifies my choice So sonny, write this down and quit your blabbing: I’ll have what she’s having Did it start when she slid that sausage right between her lips? Did seeing how they grind the coffee made her grind her hips? Has she got the hots for that chili sauce that’s squirted ‘cross her plate? Either way, this whole café can hear her masticate And to see her satisfy her primal hunger It makes a widowed girl like me feel forty-five years younger I’ll have what she’s having It looks good to me I see her face and I want a taste of that ecstasy I hear the passion in her voice And that solidifies my choice So sonny, write this down and quit your blabbing: I’ll have what she’s having Oh, it's a shame dear All the years I came here It's never been the same, dear As when this young lady came, here So I’ll have what she’s having It looks good to me I see her face and I want a taste of that ecstasy I hear the passion in her voice And that solidifies my choice So sonny, write this down and quit your blabbing: I’ll have what she’s having

I Am a reflection of Your sins A witness to atrocity Forgotten for eternities By anyone who ever Could have loved me You Saw me lying there You knew My name, yet did stop To lend your hand You used me, forgot me, And never thought to love me I am trapped I am frightened And I want to go home I am stardust, I am dirt I was formed under pressure I am broken, I was whole I have found my displeasure Home was my only goal Had to trade my soul Just to get back there How could I realize How I’d agonize Once I got back there The life I loved had moved on And though I tried, I couldn’t hold on So I just let go And I let the tide take me So I just let go And I let the tide take me So I just let go And I open wide to take me And I won’t let go No matter how she tries to shake me Water drips down these cavern walls And will, in time, grow crystalline And I will find what should have been mine You shall see me in the rainfall In the rainfall.. I was freed I was frightened I was still all alone I am stardust, I am dirt I was formed under pressure I am broken, I was whole I have found my displeasure I was found I was welcomed I’ve at last found my home I am stardust, I am dirt I was formed under pressure I am broken, I was whole I have found my displeasure

storms in the night cosmic, exploding im shrinking, absorbed in the quantum ballet forming so bright worlds open before me as intrinsic light fades away i dream im falling i scream but im not scared i know ill find the truth i know im on my way i cant keep going to find out its not fair i want to go beyond same every time im a bit on a circuit need to grow smaller, theres more i can see chasms grow tight im too wide, its not working content always just out of reach i dream im falling i scream but im not scared i know ill find the truth i know im on my way i cant keep going to find out its not fair i want to go beyond i want to go beyond i want to go beyond to disappear