the soundtrack of long life

Did you hear what happened to Jenny Droe?

Couldn't believe it but it's true

Twenty-six and now she's dead

I wish that I could've died instead

Did you hear what happened to Jenny Droe?

Did you see how thin and pale she grew?

So much suffering, could not hide

Endless heartache until she died

Did you hear what happened to Jenny Droe?

Strike me dead, make it a truce

Strike me dead, let me go

Nothing that I didn't know

Did you hear what happened to Jenny Droe?

I couldn't believe it but it's true

Twenty-six and now she's dead

I wish that I could have died instead

Nothing That I Didn't Know

I sat me down to write a simple story

Which maybe in the end became a song

In trying to find the words which might begin it

I found these were the thoughts I brought along

At first I took my weight to be an anchor

I gathered up my fears to guide me 'round

But then I clearly saw my own delusion

And found my struggles further bogged me down

In starting out I thought to go exploring

And set my foot upon the nearest road

In vain I looked to find the promised turning

But only saw how far I was from home

In searching I forsook the paths of learning

And sought instead to find some pirate's gold

In fighting I did hurt those dearest to me

And still no hidden truths could I unfold

I sat me down to write a simple story

Which maybe in the end became a song

The words have all been read by one before me

We're taking it in turns to pass them on

Oh, we're taking it in turns to pass them on

Pilgrim's Progress

Your multilingual business friend

Has packed her bags and fled

Leaving only ash-filled ashtrays

And the lipstick unmade bed

The mirror on reflection

Has climbed back upon the wall

For the floor she found descended

And the ceiling was too tall

Your trouser cuffs are dirty

And your shoes are laced up wrong

You'd better take off your homburg

'cos your overcoat is too long

The town clock in the market square

Stands waiting for the hour

When its hands they both turn backwards

And on meeting will devour

Both themselves and also any fool

Who dares to tell the time

And the sun and moon will shatter

And the signposts cease to sign

Your trouser cuffs are dirty
And your shoes are laced up wrong
You'd better take off your homburg
'cos your overcoat is too long … (3 X)

Homburg, Procol Harum


A clutch of perhaps lesser-known songs by a great band, for the education of the masses, who may have only heard of A Whiter Shade of Pale or of Salty Dog. Procol Harum were the first band the Fool saw live, in 1973, in Cascais. Younger generations, spoiled for choice in the avalanche of concerts available to them today, can have no conception of what it meant to us at the time.