The Stranglers

[fox69]

"Vladimir And Olga"

"Vladimir And Olga"


Twas a hot September, the hottest I can remember.
We took the children in the larder, and headed for the warm climbs of Odessa.
I'd worked hard the whole season,
Olga portrayed a tiredness which she strove to conceal.
We stopped at an inn and took some lunch - some simple fare of cheeses and borshch.
The bread tasted strange - Olga mentioned to me the old wives tale of 'bread mould madness'.

I laughed and ate, and ate and laughed.
The food did me good, the beer refreshed my dusty brow.
It was as we reached Odessa that I started to feel
the strangest mood descend over me from nowhere.

The sky changed colour;
Vehicles on the road were a funfair.
It struck me as being incredibly funny,
that we four were in a tin can,
hiding ourselves from the cruel, harsh, alien world outside.
I stopped the car in the middle of the intersection in the centre of Odessa,
and stepped outside to dance and laugh at the insignificance of our ordered lives.

The traffic built up and Odessa saw it's largest,
most confused and contorted traffic jam and I started to laugh.
I laughed and laughed until I cried and cried;
I cried and cried until I laughed and laughed.

I laughed and laughed until I cried and cried;
I cried and cried until I laughed and laughed...

 

[fox69]

"Vladimir And The Beast"

"Vladimir And The Beast"


Thank you, my fatherland
For helping me to be totally reintegrated and normalised
Only in the world's greatest socialist democracy could one hope to be forgiven for losing temporary sight
of the aims and goals of the of the Marxist/Leninist revolution

Two years it took me to be cured of my illness
Being still a relatively young and fit man
I was still in search of fulfilment
The memory of Olger, Sergey and my two children
Motivated me to seek an occupation
That would both repay my debt to my great party
And obviously help the way to international socialism
I was still unable to resume my lectureship at the sub-nucleonic particle physics
And therefore volunteered to help our Afghan comrades
In their great struggle for liberation
I was readily accepted
Into a motorized maintenance unit

It was not long before I realised that our support
For the liberation struggle of our comrades in Afghanistan
Was not viewed at all together unanimously by the local population
In fact, we were not allowed outside of the barracks unless we were in large armoured groups

During our brief stay in Afghanistan
We had discovered some of the very few pleasures open to visitors to this desolate place
A local concoction called "hashish" was being increasingly used by our troops
And many of the helicopter gunship and tank crews, moreover
Would smoke large chillums and joints before embarking on missions around the mountains, surrounding Kabul

Every week comrades who had fallen into the hands of the rebels
would be found in various states of dismemberment around the camp
Those unlucky enough to be still alive
Were sent from rehabilitation
to the German democratic republics
Since this would prevent any undue alarm by our loved ones back home
The wisdom of this policy is evidence of our leaders' great care for their people

Apart from hashish there was not much to divert or endure the cold mountain nights
And increasingly there were signs of the troops acquiring the illness of which I had previously been cured
And therefore, my attention was focused more on looking at the few animals that were kept within the military compound.
As is often the case between human beings and animals
A close bond of affection can develop
And I became increasingly close to a camel I named Dimitri
Ah, dear Dimitri

No one can really understand the relationship between a man and his camel
As was the case with the army doctors and my superiors
Who sent me to convalesce in the German Democratic Republic.

 

[fox69]

"Vladimir Goes To Havana"

"Vladimir Goes To Havana"


Vladimir Andropyournosin, veteran of the Soviet campaign for the liberation of the peoples of Afghanistan, after a period of convalescence in the German Democratic Republic, sat up in his hospital bed on a brisk February morning, put down the newspaper he was reading and rang the assistance bell next to his pillow.
The uniformed nurse arrived and supplied Vladimir with writing paper, a pen and an envelope.
Vladimir wrote "To the advisory board for the Development of cultural visits to sympathetic States.
Dear Sirs, I have just read in last Septembers issue of Pravda that Doctor Mikhaïl Buggerovski, a colleague from the days of my lectureship at Moscow University, has been appointed as Scientific Advisor to the Soviet Delegation in Cuba for the promotion of soil mechanics at the research institute there.
Having survived the campaign of Afghanistan I am requesting that I continue my convalescence visiting Dr Buggerovski, assisting him in his work in Havana, for a period of time which the board deems fit.
Yours faithfully, comrade Andropyournosin."
Methodically he folded the letter, placed it in the envelope, sealed it and addressed it.
Six weeks later Vladimir was standing on the deck of the SS Ivanitch, a black sea tourist cruiser disguised as a missile carrying cargo vessel to deceive the Americans.
Waiting at the foot of the gangplank was Mikhaïl Vladerovsky.
Immediately they went to a bar and drank several ice cold Slivovitzes to toast each others health.
Mikhail outlined his work in Havana, a research project he had initiated there and the success he had achieved.
In fact, it had been rumoured that he would receive a medal of honour from the Kremlin itself.
The more he heard the more enthusiastic Vladimir became, and he slept soundly that night, eagerly awaiting the start of his new appointment the next day.
It was after the first week that Vladimir met Christos.
One evening he was strolling in the humid streets of Havana when he stopped for a night-cap in one of several bars that lined the streets.
Christos sat there, proud, manly and astonishingly good looking,
but with a boyish look about him and a vulnerability that appealed to Vladimir.
Before even realising it Vladimir was in conversation with him using a crude mixture of sign language and broken English and Spanish.
After about an hour, Vladimir realised there had been something missing in his stay in Havana: Fun with a big 'F'.
It wasn't that he didn't find Christos attractive - everyone did - but Vladimir had bee cured of that illness, back home in the Soviet Union.
"many thanks to the Party that cares for its people" he thought.
However there seemed to be a new kind of energy in this bar.
People were talking non stop; their eyes seemed full of intensity.
After several hours Christos signalled for Vladimir to follow him into an adjacent room.
Christos then took out a big plastic bag containing white powder.
He shovelled a spoonful up his nose while inhaling strongly, then signalled for the perplexed Vladimir to do the same.
Suddenly everything became clear. Why of course, this was why there was so much sugar cane on the island, this was why everyone in the bar looked alert and intense, because they were sniffing the refined sugar, which gives you energy.
Christos winked, pointing to a bag of white powder.
"This is the reason we must get to Miami".
Vladimir pretended to understand, "but in order to get there we must be criminals and, or social undesirables, to benefit from a scheme set up by the American president, which our president is going to take full advantage of - ha ha ha!
- and so will we. You could say it is a foreign 'aids' programme! ha ha ha!

 

[fox69]

"Waiting For The Meninblack"

"Waiting For The Meninblack"


I'm waiting every day I've been watching from my chimney stack
I'm waiting every week I've been hoping that they're coming back
I'm seeing all the signs and I'm learning how to bring them back
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack

(Waiting for the Maninblack)
(Waiting for the Meninblack)
(Seeking for the Loveinblack)
(Seeking for the Meninblack)
(Seeking for the Meninblack)
(Seeking for the Meninblack)

I'm standing on a hill and I'm looking for the glimpse of light
I'm clutching my teddy bear if I don't I might die of fright

I'm reading all the signs and I'm learning how to bring them back
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack

(Standing)
(Looking)
(Watching)
(Staring)
(Looking)
(Clutching)
(Standing)
(Looking)
(Clutching)
(Clutching)
(Clutching)
(Clutching)
(Clutching)
(Clutching)
(Clutching)
(Clutching)

I'm standing on a hill
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack
And I'm learning how to bring them back
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack
And I'm waiting for the Meninblack
And I'm waiting (for the meninblack)
And I'm waiting (for the meninblack)
And I'm waiting (for the meninblack)
And I'm waiting (for the meninblack)
And I'm waiting (for the meninblack)
And I'm waiting (for the meninblack)

And I'm waiting

 

[fox69]

"Walk On By"

"Walk On By"


If you see me walking down the streets
And I start to cry
Each time we meet

Walk on by
Aahh walk on by
Make believe
I can see the tears
Now let me grieve in private
Cause each time I see you
I just want to cry
Walk on by
Walk on by
Walk on by

I just can't get over losing you
And so if I seem so broken in pieces

Walk on by
Aah walk on by
With foolish pride
If I can't see the tears
Let me hide
From the tears and the sadness
You gave me
When you said goodbye

Walk on by
Walk on by
Walk on by
Just go for a stroll in the trees

Walk on by
Aahh walk on by
And make believe
That I can't see the tears
Now let me grieve in private
Cause each time I see you
I break down and cry
Walk on by
Walk on by

 

[fox69]

"Was It You?"

"Was It You?"


The bullets and the hatred, was it you?
The famine and the genital disease, was it you?
I don't really know what I can see but I can see I'm losing control

The K.G.B. and the C.I.A., was it you?
Democracy and freedom, was it you?
I don't really know what I can see but I can see I'm losing control

Was it you?

Coloured skins and nations, was it you?
Aristrocracy and class division, was it you?
I don't really know what I can see but I can see I'm losing control

Was it you?

Meat and vegetables, was it you?
Drugs and religion, was it you?
I don't really know what I can see but I can see I'm losing control

Was it you?

Was it you?

 

[fox69]

"Wet Afternoon"

"Wet Afternoon"


Hands around a circle
In the candlelight
Now a childlike voice comes
From the other side

There behind the curtain
I saw something move
I couldn't tell for certain
Maybe it was you
She wants to speak to daddy
But daddy doesn't come
We only try to help her
We mean nobody harm

Keeping dry on a wet afternoon
This is no place for tears
The table turns on a wet afternoon

God has mighty powers
No one can explain
He chose us for his agents
To help our fellow man
They say it's an illusion
What we do in here
And for the richest pocket
We are the most sincere

[Repeat chorus]

Someone's pulled the curtains
All the lights turned out
Taps upon the table
In an empty house

 

[fox69]

"Where I Live"

"Where I Live"


Hey man, I like your beard
And I like the way you serve that beer
I like the way your daughter smiles at me
Hey mister, could I have just one more beer
I got two big balls
A cap and a bat
And I play with them all the time
I got a million things I'd rather do
If only you say you'll stay mine
If only you say you'll stay mine
If only you say you'll stay mine
Yea, this is the place where I live
And the place where I love
Hey mamselle, fill me up baby
I like the way you give me gas
Tell me
Who is the man with the double-barrelled gun?
(My daddy)
I think I better move on fast
I got a big black car
A dog and a cat
And I play with them all of the time
I got a million things I'd rather do
If only you say you'll stay mine
If only you say you'll stay mine
If only you say you'll stay mine
Yea, this is the place where I live
And the place where I love
The way the old church spire stabs the clouds
And when the old folks say
I'll have another drink to see me
Through the day, thank you J.J.
Yea, this is the place where I live
And the place where I love
Hey, Mrs. B, take a look at me
D'you really think I'm quite that bad
Soometimes I say and do stupid thngs
That only serve to make you sad
I got a motorcycle, an empty seat
And twenty years ahead of my time
I got a million other things I'd rather do
If only you say you'll stay mine
If only you say you'll stay mine
If only you say you'll stay mine
Yea, this is the place where I live
And the place where I love
Ah, this is it

 

[fox69]

"Wonderful Land"

"Wonderful Land"


I found a sepia memory
Outside our house by the sea
Days when the future held everything
Deep in the first sigh of peace
Look at the photograph
Look in the photograph
See how our mothers laughed
Our mothers laughed
Our mothers laughed

Gifts tumble down through history
Wisdom must shine trough the lie
Adam has buried a book for you
Dig deep you'll bring it to the light

The wonderful land

There was a face in the photograph
Bleached by a kiss from the sun
Mother, land, broken, hearts
Bury the photograph
See how our mother laughed
Our mothers laughed
In the wonderful
Wonderful land
A wonderful
Wonderful land
Under Albion's hand
This is a wonderful land
Albion's hand
Under Albion's hand
This is a wonderful land

 

[fox69]

"You Dont Think That What You've Done Is Wrong"

"You Dont Think That What You've Done Is Wrong"


You don't think that what you've done is wrong
No, you don't think that what you've done is wrong
I used to look up to you, we used to be friends
I used to laugh with you, but now the story ends

'cos you don't think that what you've done is wrong
no, you don't think that what you've done is wrong

I even lied for you, but now you want a divorce
The friends betrayed by you, but no sign of remorse

'cos you don't think that what you've done is wrong
no, you don't think that what you've done is wrong

I was taught loyalty to my friends
Through thick and thin right to the end
In stormy weather yeah, when times get better yeah yeah

You don't think that what you've done is wrong
No, you don't think that what you've done is wrong
'cos you don't think that what you've done is wrong
no, you don't think that what you've done is wrong

you just don't think that what you've done
you don't think that what you've done
you don't think that what you've done is wrong