1) From the "Thick as a Brick" album: ... See there! A son is born -- and we pronounce him fit to fight. There are black-heads on his shoulders, and he pees himself in the night. We'll make a man of him, put him to trade teach him to play Monopoly and to sing in the rain. .... 2) From "A Passion Play" album: ``Do you still see me even here?'' (The silver cord lies on the ground.) ``And so I'm dead'', the young man said --- over the hill (not a wish away). My friends (as one) all stand aligned although their taxis came too late. There was / a rush along the Fulham Road. There was / a hush in the Passion Play. Such a sense of glowing in the aftermath / ripe with rich attainments all imagined / sad misdeeds in disarray / the sore thumb screams aloud, echoing out of the Passion Play. All the old familiar choruses come crowding in a different key: Melodies decaying in sweet dissonance. There was a rush / along the Fulham Road / into the Ever-passion Play. And who comes here to wish me well? A sweetly-scented angel fell. She laid her head upon my disbelief and bathed me with her ever-smile. And with a howl across the sand I go escorted by a band of gentlemen in leather bound -- NO-ONE (but someone to be found). All along the icy wastes there are faces smiling in the gloom. Roll up roll down, Feeling unwound? -- step into the viewing room. The cameras were all around. We've got you taped -- you're in the play. Here's your I.D. (Ideal for identifying one and all.) Invest your life in the memory bank -- ours the interest and we thank you. The ice-cream lady wet her drawers, to see you in the passion play. take the prize for instant pleasure captain of the cricket team public speaking in all weathers a knighthood from a queen. All your best friends' telephones never cooled from the heat of your hand. There's / a line in a front-page story / 13 horses that also-ran. Climb in your old umbrella. Does it have a nasty tear in the dome? But / the rain only gets in sometimes and / the sun never leaves you alone. Lover of the black and white -- it's your first night. The Passion Play / goes all the way / spoils your insight. Tell me / how the baby's made / how the lady's laid / why the old dog howls in sadness. And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision. (The examining body examined her body.) Actor of the low-high Q, let's hear your view. Peek at the lines upon your sleeves since your memory won't do. Tell me / how the baby's graded / how the lady's faded / why the old dogs howl with madness. All of this and some of that's the only way to skin the cat. And now you've lost a skin or two -- you're for us and we for you. The dressing room is right behind We've got you taped -- you're in the play. How does it feel to be in the play? How does it feel to play the play? How does it feel to be the play? Man of passion rise again, we won't cross you out -- for we do love you like a son -- of that there's no doubt. Tell us / is it you who are here for our good cheer? Or / are we here / for the glory / for the story / for the gory satisfaction of telling you how absolutely awful you really are? There was / a rush along the Fulham Road. There was / a hush in the Passion Play. 3) from the "Nightcap" album: Look at the Animals The tiny ant leaves his tiny ant drops in the sand, And makes his home inside a rusty watering can, Occasionally going out to look for bread and jam. He runs into a sparrow who hasn't eaten for a week, And later, quite contented, the sparrow cleans his beak, Failing to notice pussy cat has come out to take a leak. Our cat partakes of dinner when a sodden kangaroo Emerges from the undergrowth and asks to use the loo. Kangaroos aren't usually dangerous, for that would never do. My goodness, will you look at all the animals queuing on the stairs! Look at the animals in the zoo; how would you like to be one? They're waiting to use the lavatory and putting chewing gum in each other's hair. Look at the animals, look at you; well how would you like to free one? Good gracious, will you look at all the animals playing with their tools! Look at the animals, look at you; well how would you like to queer one? Flying from the chandeliers and treading in their elephantine stools. Look at the animals, two by two; aren't you glad to be one? This kangaroo's a lunatic and his pouch is very full Of pussy cats and penguins who can't fly as a rule, But then neither could the pussy cat: he never went to school. The kangaroo gets nervous when confronted by the size Of an elephant named Simon who is always telling lies; He swears he wears green corduroys and can button up his fly. Presently, a fatter Simon's indigestion fails. He regurgitates the whole damn mess into an aluminum pail, And the tiny ant scuttles back inside his watering can Occasionally going out to look for bread and jam. 4) from the "Nightcap" album: Law of the Bungle The tiger flashes sharpened teeth. Bowler-hatted; summer briefs Beneath his pinstriped skin. To kill demands a business sense; Economy moves non-residence Approaching from down-wind. Being a tiger means you laugh Whenever lesser tigers have To eat meat that's infected. Being a tiger means your mate When overfed will defecate In places least expected. Knowing a tiger means you must Accept his promise of mutual trust And offer him your throat. Loving a tiger means you take Second place to the cake you bake And with undying servile obedience keep the stiffly starched collar of his conference shirt spotless and remove daily the daubed bloody evidence of his dastardly misdeeds from the otherwise immaculate elegance of his pinstripe tiger coat. Period. 5) from "Bursting Out": Note: This isn't from a song, but rather from words spoken between songs in a live performance, while introducing the band members. "...And on the far right, from the Royal College of Music, London, mister David Palmer...ah, he's gone for a piss, but he'll be back." <2 songs later> "Ah, David, David's back. Did you give it a good shake? Good." 6) from the "Under Wraps" album": Apogee Sailing round the true-blue sphere--- is it too late to bale out of here? Well, there has to be some better way to turn back the night, spin on to yesterday. The old man and his crew--- after all these years, it's apogee. Pilot training and remorse--- spirit friends fly too, at apogee. Apogee --- solar bright. Apogee --- through the night. Apogee --- overground. Don't think I'll be coming down. Screened for a stable mate with nerves of ice we flew, at apogee. No creativity allowed to pass through stainless veins of steel, at apogee. Apogee --- put the kettle on. Tight-lipped --- soldier on. High point --- communicate. Don't forget to urinate. So glad they put this window in. How to explain, how to begin? See! Tennyson and Wordsworth there waiting for me in the cold, thin air. Beware a host of unearthly daffodils drifting golden, turned up loud. Tell the boys back home, I'm gonna get some. The Wrong Stuff's loose in here --- I'm climbing up the walls, at apogee. So hoist the skull and bones --- death and glory's free, at apogee. A stranger wind, a solar breeze --- I'm walking out upon the starry seas. See pyramids, see standing stones --- pink cotton undies and blue telephones. Goodbye, cruel world that was my home --- there's a cleaner space out there to roam. Put my feet up on the moons of Mars --- sit back, relax and count the stars.