"From A Pebble Thrown"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
Take me on the ghost train, 20p and there you are
Scary in the tunnel night, white knuckled fingers on the safety bar
Which way to blue skies? Phantoms pop from cupboard doors
Mocking, manic laughter shrieks, dark promises of blood and gore
Interventions at every turn, opportunities thrown wide and far
Journeys I might never take, TomTom thinks he knows just where we are
Ripples from a pebble thrown make tsunami on a foreign shore
I would slip right off this high-rise hell, but the elevator stops at every floor
Twelve, going on sixteen, such a rush to grow old and wise
Endless possibilities, follow, soaring where the eagle flies
Which way to blue skies? Mummy said don't go out alone
I hear bad name-calling, derisory, so, choose direction, and turn the stone
"Pebbles Instrumental" (Instrumental)
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
"Might-Have-Beens"
lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
We all must wonder, now and then, if things had turned out - well - just plain different
Chance path taken, page unturned or brief encounter, blossomed, splintered
Might you have been the man of courage, brave upon life's battlefield,
Captain Commerce, high-flown banker, hedonistic, down-at-heel?
A Puritan of moral fibre, voice raised in praise magnificent?
Or rested in assured repose, knowing your lot in quiet content?
What-ifs, Maybes and Might-have-beens fly, soft petals on a breeze
What-ifs, Maybes and Might-have-beens, why-nots, Perhaps and Wait-and-sees
"Upper Sixth Loan Shark"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
Where did it come from, where's it going? Upper sixth loan shark, numbers flowing
From the pen that never forgets, recording ledgers, each-way safe bets
Fauntleroys and first form fags, allowances all overspent
Pater's guilty generosity safely deposited against rainy day
There's money in those goddamn hills, interest in sugar-coated bitter pills
Margins made from Tompkins Minor, float aspirations, nothing finer
"Banker Bets, Banker Wins"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
Education, micro-managed, MBA, a doddle mastered
City-bound, Canary Wharf, a cushy number, fluky bastard
Banker bets and banker wins, never missed yet, for all his sins
Hedge funds, wraps and equities, lackeys, aides in fierce attendance
Trusts and gilts, reserve currencies, liquid gold in safe ascendance
Banker bets and banker wins, never missed yet for all his sins
Treat myself to quality time, test a porsche and snort a line, eat Hermione for lunch
Set that glum PA a-jumping, book front-row tickets for something after we munch
Treat myself to quality time, test a porsche and snort a line, eat Hermione for lunch
Set that glum PA a-jumping, book front-row tickets for something after we munch
Fast-tracked futures, hard-nut traders, feeding frenzy, pigs a-troughing
Fuelled by forecasts, and hot share options, big fat bonus in the offing
Draconian calls for regulation are drowned in latte with Starbucks muffin
Mortgage melt-down, non est mea culpa, threatened exit, stage left, laughing
Banker bets and banker wins, never missed yet, for all his sins
Banker bets, cheque's in the post, not worth the ink it's written in
"Swing It Far"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
I was no good on the rugger field, pushing and kicking, brutish boys bothered me
Sensitive and caring seemed the lighter, brighter way to be
Mr Jennings, good housemaster, seemed instinctively to understand
Touched me with his gentle presence, under bedclothes, underhand, underhand
Overnight, he did a runner, threatened with harsh expose
I fell to pieces, dropped out of classes into life's endless melee, endless melee
Parents listened, didn't get it, Poof and Jesse, daddy said
Mummy tried but fussed and fretted, skeletons best left under bed, under the bed
Camden Market in the winter, a cold stone's throw from Kentish Town
Got a minute? Just the ticket! Meet the boys and mess around, and mess around
Independence far from suburbia, doss down and dirty, tucked up tight
How's your father? Not too chipper? Serves the bugger flippin' right, flippin' right
Parents listened, didn't get it, Poof and Jesse, daddy said
Mummy tried but fussed and fretted, skeletons best left under bed
On the streets a rude survival, hot like-minded overtures
Sad departure, sweet arrival, if you don't like it, right up yours!
There comes a point when deep conviction bears down hard on who you are
Pointless to don cloak of denial, get the lead out and swing it far, swing it far
Swing it far, swing it far, swing it far, swing it
"Adrift and Dumfounded"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
He stands at the crossroads of New St. and Old Town, Gerald Something from good-home-on-sea
Thinking back to the child that he once was, all bread and butter and jam for his tea
Men came and went in his moments of madness, muttered apologies, late for a meeting
Too much intensity too much feigned sadness, crestfallen, hangdog, glances too fleeting
He was your golden boy, he's adrift and dumfounded, with nowhere to go, no appointments to keep
He's our little man, he's adrift and dumfounded, head on hard pillow, waiting for sleep
Broken societies, selfish, uncaring, addled brains clutching at chemicals soothing
Desperate measures, desperately tearing at last vestige of dignity, his for the losing
He was your golden boy, he's adrift and dumfounded, with nowhere to go, no appointments to keep
He's our little man, he's adrift and dumfounded, head on hard pillow, waiting for sleep
He's our little man, he's adrift and dumfounded, head on hard pillow, waiting for sleep
"Old School Song"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
From playing fields to killing fields, just one small step of madness
Officer training, uniform, boys together shower together
Rank and file can be just fine but that's not what we're here for
So, sign upon the dotted line, be commissioned, Hell for leather
How we sang that old school song, from Pirates of Penzance
Foemen bearing steel, we slapped our chests and raised our voices
No mad poets we, or painters twee but young men with a yearning
To flex our might for all that's right when face with moral choices
Wrapped in the old school song, we fly our colours high
Bravo! The old school song! Harsh reality, by and by
Dad delivered us from the Hun and we reflect his selfless deed
On this desert plain of conflict where special forces, choppers need
Fly-boy coming to collect you, lift you up and then protect you
Be this gung or be this ho, may glorious battle resurrect you
Wrapped in the old school song, we fly our colours high
Bravo! The old school song! Harsh reality, by and by
"Wootton Bassett Town"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
Hourglass sands run through my veins like blood draining from a salty wound
Mad Mars forgets the cost of strife, serves no longer, purpose in my life
I lie in sweat, cry others' tears and write a letter to my Mum
My wife, my God unheard, unseen, who never thinks to intervene
Oh, what pain and oh, what lie has called to us, from heaven on high?
This cruel and harsh sweet punishment for follies acted, leaves us spent
Long road to Baghdad, then Persian hordes? Where will we stop to sheath our swords?
IEDs lie patient, sleeping, wake when soldier boots come creeping
Hourglass sands run through my veins like blood draining from a salty wound
Mad Mars forgets the cost of strife, serves no longer, purpose in my life
Down this dusty scorched wind-blast track, eyes facing forward, ne'er look back
As rain comes down on Wootton Bassett Town, black hearses crawl and church bells sound
Bikers, burghers line the kerbs, a politician, a Highness Royal
Chance shoppers, tradesmen, stiffly stand and shed their tears for the military man
"Power and Spirit"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
Touch down after muddy rugby in the softer evensong
Steal through open doors to heaven in angelic sing-along
Tinsel echoes in the rafters still the air in stained glass light
Our voices chaste, un-broken, pure, take manly message to the fight
I sense the power. And I sense the spirit move
In stately corridors of oak and stone, vaulted above
Beyond the nave, beside dark transepts, candles flicker in the quire
First the glow deep in the belly, tight grip of faith to fan the fire
In the chapel, I am wondrous in the eyes of lesser boys
Raptures touch me, lift me, shape me, brotherhood, an ode to joy
Stiff white ruffs on cassock'd ranks with hand on heart and hand on sword
Elevated, born to service, to service of the Lord
I sense the path, I sense the glory road
Position, influence, my head above the earthly clod below
Follow me to serve dark Master, He whose number might be His name
Branded, burning, power unholy, just have to love Him all the same
"Give Till It Hurts"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
Let us pray, dear Beloved Father
We know it's tough to make ends meet through troubled times as economic woes grow, bad to worse
But call out to our family of treasured followers to make a pledge today, give 'til it hurts
Our coffers almost empty, but our flock stands faithful by as we set out to shave the needy and bereft
Together we can fleece our willing congregation and I can live on any small change that's left
So, give 'til it hurts, give 'til it hurts, make a pledge and give 'til it hurts
That was today's speaker, the humble Reverend Gerald, tune in to the National Godspend Channel next week
Praise be to Him and HALLELUJAH, remember to keep those pledges coming in and - give 'til it hurts
"Cosy Corner"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
Gerald Bostock, fresh from school with few O-levels, sets his sights
No grand, fanciful fantasies but level headed middle ground
The retail trade, the corner shop, at humble service of plain town-folk
Open at nine and closed by six, enough to work, play, work around
Regulars drop by to chat in idle gossip, repetition
Same old words, another day while, all the time, life slips away
But slips so slowly, stretches moments into hours and hours to years
With characters by Harold Pinter, dark silences, slow Passion Play
Then home to fire up model trains and shunt and shuffle wagons, locomotive breath upon his brow
Smooth clockwork running motors hum while barren Madge prepares hot dinner
Fray Bentos pie, always a winner.
So, praise life's routine cozy habits and don't forget to call your Mum
"Shunt and Shuffle"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
Same old words, another day while all the time life slips away
But slips so slowly, stretches moments into slow-burn Passion Play
While barren Madge prepares hot dinner, Fray Bentos pie, always a winner
Then home to fire up model trains and shunt and shuffle carriages
Sweet loco breath upon his brow, banish thoughts of clockwork marriages
While barren Madge prepares hot dinner, Fray Bentos pie, always a winner
"A Change of Horses"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
Bootlegs: National Concert Hall Dublin (2011)
Last lights wink out on this pale and sultry night, stars signal long past two AM
I feel the lateness in the hour and I'm fifty long years from home
A new dawn glimmers, time for a change of horses
It's time to chart new courses and head for safer houses
No more empty towers of this unholy Babylon
Some four hundred thousand hours have come and gone
I smell, in the air, a new meadow morning
Fresh-flowering grasses stirring and no pressure free-falling
Thin mists to bring and light airs to call
And we treasure all, all that we left behind us
No pointed cold and dark regrets, no nameless blame to lay
Resolute, the optimist, I ride fresh horse and spur it on
Four hundred thousand hours have come and gone
"Confessional"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
Gerald the Banker
I made my millions, stashed the pile in Swiss bank havens, lost the lot
When Inland Revenue got wise, so, I did my time, my time for what?
Gerald the Homeless
On the streets, a pretty pickle, I met a man who lifted me
Took me home for slap and tickle, in civil partnership, pledged to me
Gerald the Chorister
Enough of twisted overkill, Hellfire, damnation, voices shrill
I was rumbled, de-frocked and tumbled from grace and favour, caught hand in till
Gerald the Military Man
Invalided out of theatre. Civilian rehabilitation
My time now given to help my brothers find cold feet, lost building nations
Gerald: A Most Ordinary Man
Sold the shop, flicked off the power switch, in silent siding, mallard must stay
Carriages and sleek coal tender packed in boxes, sold on eBay. Sold on eBay
"Kismet In Suburbia"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
Gerald the Banker
Fresh start, another day, another life, a quiet cafe. Starbuck euphoria
Count my blessings, crossword ready. Soon, pipe and slippers in the study by the telly
I seek forgiveness, I beg your pardons at number 9 Mulberry Gardens
Gerald the Chorister
Fresh start, another day, another life so far away from hell-raised aria
Now I lay me down to live in acquiescence, mine to give to all who listen
Deaf to dark un-heavenly host at 25 Mulberry Close
Gerald the Military Man
Fresh start, another day, another life so far away from white heat Arabia
Comrades' pictures on the mantle, lit by flower-scented candle, ghostly, flicker
Last man standing, bowed but alive at 33 Mulberry Drive
Gerald: A Most Ordinary Man
Fresh start, another day, another life not so far away in slow-burn suburbia
All routine and repetition, stamp-collecting, first editions, steam train-spotting
Numb, the senses and numb, the brain, at 54 Mulberry Lane
Gerald the Homeless
Fresh start, another day, my cared-for partner just slipped away from sweet utopia
Bequeathed comforts, ceramic hob, electric blanket, your uncle's Bob: a pretty picture
Treasured moments, past and present, at 17 Mulberry Crescent
"What-Ifs, Maybes and Might-Have-Beens"
music and lyrics by Ian Anderson
TAAB2 (Thick As A Brick 2): Whatever Happened To Gerald Bostock? (2012); Thick As A Brick: Live In Iceland (2014)
We all must wonder, now and then,
If things had turned out - well - just plain different
Chance path taken, page unturned or brief encounter, blossomed, splintered
Might I have been the man of courage, brave upon life's battlefield,
Captain Commerce, high-flown banker, hedonistic, down-at-heel?
A Puritan of moral fibre, voice raised in praise magnificent?
Or rested in assured repose, knowing my lot in quiet content
What-ifs, Maybes and Might-have-beens fly, soft petals on a breeze
What-ifs, Maybes and Might-have-beens, why-nots, Perhaps and Wait-and-sees
Suppose bold woman, quite unsuited, brave in adventure, sojourns wicked
Velvet touch and lips soft-centred, tossing hair, teeth bared in laughing
Imagine idyll Summers never-ending, Winter nights beside fire roaring
Touched by madness, filled with fondness, kissed by love, love without name
What-ifs, Maybes and Might-have-beens fly, soft petals on a breeze
What-ifs, Maybes and Might-have-beens. Why-nots, Perhaps and Wait-and-sees
So, you ride yourselves over the fields and you make all your animal deals
And your wise men don't know how it feels to be thick as a brick...two