Lucifer's Cardigan

Sometimes it's not so much the fear of being rejected
But the fear of being accepted
That's left me rather stuck
And I'm looking for distractions whilst you're looking at the floor
And I'm happy just to settle for a draw

And you might not notice how I start again
Two words out of ten, and end-up looking suspect
As you muse on muddled words I lie there gazing at the table
I'm willing but unable
To find another subject

And it feels like I am standing at the top
Of a diving board with a hundred metre drop
Or twelve yards out with the ball placed on the spot
But forty thousand whistles make me stop

And I'm wearing Lucifer's cardigan as you kiss me at the door
You tell me that you love me, and my feet raise off the floor
Then the harshness of reality leaves me wanting more
There's another awkward silence as I settle for a draw

And it feels like I am standing at the top
Of a diving board with a hundred metre drop
Or twelve yards out with the ball placed on the spot
But forty thousand whistles make me stop

And I'm wearing Lucifer's cardigan as you kiss me at the door
You tell me that you love me, and my feet raise off the floor
Then the harshness of reality leaves me wanting more
There's another awkward silence as I settle for a draw

Well he's really quite good lucking, mum; he's awfully polite
In fact, I think he might...
No I doubt he ever will do, dear

The Lonely Hearts of England

Approval and affection, well they force you to perform
When you look at your reflection, does it make you feel warm?
Or does something hold you back, until someone holds you tight
Someone for a life-time, or maybe just a night

And I’ve tried and failed many times, I’ve rarely won
But I am a chatty bugger, yes I am my mother’s son
So I’ll try and find my finest shirt and show ‘em what I can
I’ve got various ambitions as an independent man

Does it make you start to question, is it better left unsaid?
With the power of suggestion there’s a stranger in your bed
Does it meet your expectation, does it ever guarantee?
Will the lonely hearts of England stand and raise a glass with me

With the girls all wearing dresses, and the fellas wearing shoes
Everything excessive, and everything to lose
When the bells ring out for two o’clock, it’s the measure of your night
You’ll either end-up frisky or you’ll end-up in a fight

Are you standing with your sweetheart, are you looking for a match?
Do you tell yourself in silence that you really are a catch?
When you step outside for a cigarette and you try to make her laugh
And then treat her to the doubles with the last of the overdraft

Just get another round in, we’re wasting precious time
No celibates, we’re celebrating living in our prime
Do you often sit and wonder, what happiness might be?
Will the lonely hearts of England stand and raise a glass with me

Old Father Time with his stacks of coins is propping-up the bar
He’s seen all kinds of faces, but he’s never been that far
He’s fragile and he’s bony, with skin as thin as silk
But he’d drink a pint of whiskey like you’d drink a pint of milk

When your song came on the jukebox, and you had to stand and jive
And it’s nine o’clock on a Friday night when you really come alive
Just lose your inhibitions, and forget about the truth
‘cause the one thing that you can’t get back is the freedom of your youth

And by twelve o’clock tomorrow, I doubt that we’ll recall
When the truth comes out and you start to shout and there’s nothing past these walls
And they’re snoozing by the telly if they choose to disagree
Will the lonely hearts of England stand and raise a glass with me

Have you spotted someone sexy, are you trying to catch their eye?
It’s a bloody expensive taxi if you stand around all shy
With a little introduction and a little bit of charm
You’ve a belly filled with butterflies and someone on your arm

I’ve told you many times before and I’ll tell you many more
You’re my greatest friend in the bloody world, and that is something sure
And I know I’ve never met you, but you’re such a bloody star
So let’s gather our possessions and we’ll find another bar

If it’s sunny or it’s snowing, it’s a ritual for life
If you’re looking for a girlfriend or you’re hiding from your wife
If you’re drinking on your pension, if you’re young and fancy free
Will the lonely hearts of England stand and raise a glass with me

Will the lonely hearts of England stand and raise a glass with me
Will the lonely hearts of England stand and raise a glass with me

Maybe You Are After All?

And as a drop in your ocean I’m drowned by the notion
That I simply cease to exist
And I doubt that you’ll respond but I’ve grown rather fond
And so with my pen I persist
I don’t know where to start, from the head or the heart?
Or maybe from further below?
I’m ignoring the pain, this is written in vain
I’m smitten but you’ll, but you’ll never know, oh-oh-oh

Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
I’m smitten but you’ll never know
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh

Yeah, I’m smitten but you’ll never know
And does admitting it soften the blow
Yeah, I’m smitten but you’ll never know
But fuck it, I’ll give it a go, oh-oh

And you may well protest at the hairs on my chest
The texture that you feel when we kiss
You’re taking second best, to stay in the nest
Not expecting that you’d fall for this
Oh, and there’s no-one to choose, there’s nothing to lose
At least you’d have something to show
So just swallow your pain, this is written in vain
You’re smitten but you’ll, but you’ll never know, oh-oh-oh

Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
You’re smitten but you’ll never know
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh

Yeah, I’m smitten but you’ll never know
And does admitting it soften the blow
Yeah, I’m smitten but you’ll never know
But fuck it, I’ll give it a go, oh-oh