Welcome back my friends, yes, it's been to long I fear
In these sad and stormy times, you'll find a place of refuge here
I am your genial host, I trust, a narrator fair and true
Though there's nothing new under the sun, it's a storyteller's moon
Under the sparkling skies we sit, to sing our songs and tell our tales
Of war and strife, of love and loss
While drinking and dining and flirting and fighting
We gather here, under a storyteller's moon.
				

The condition of the people and our national priorities
Get broadcast across the country like a speech from royalty
Speech, want and fear are the freedoms that we're fighting for
The pursuit of happiness of course and who could want for anymore?
Yes, the nation's in a state and so step up and take a bow
That's the state of the union, state of the union now

Well just across the water, well they're thinking that they've got it made
'Cause they had a vote and everything and everything was all explained
Regulation, immigration is what caused them to complain
But they're looking to the government to make it all great again
Well you need to know just who it is, that's in control and how
That's the state of the union, state of the union now

Do we ask you to serve?
Do we get what we deserve?
Do we ask you to die?
Do we ask you to lie, over and over again?
Sell it to me, sell it to me, sell it to me now
Sell it to me, sell it to me, sell it to me now
Tell it to me, tell it to me, tell it to me now
Tell it to me, tell it to me, tell it¿

So what could be worse than a xenophobic, sociopath?
Well the answer's one with power and the willingness to attack
Well they're looking to the hard man to update them with the facts
And they're looking to their glorious and patriotic past
It's just the case of "us and them" and we're not going to back down
That's the state of the union, the state of the union now.
				

After years of reckless living, for a century or more
With a few who lived the good life, being paid by the poor
Now they're fiddling while the forest bur, soaring through the poisoned skies
Surfing in the plastic seas, we're adding our voices to the rising
Chorus of concern, striking chords of alarm
The drums of discontent, keep banging on and on
It's still the same old story, a resources grab and go
A fight for territory, to maintain the status quo

Now they say that a change is coming, while we're basking in the sun
And the temperature is rising, so there's not much getting done
Yes they say that change is coming, while we look the other way
The rest of our life is hurting, in a world in disarray

Keep checking the vital signs, of the sea and land and air
But all you need is eyes, cos it's happening everywhere
Well the animals could be marched into the creationist's mobile zoo
As if this could protect them all, as if this could prevent the fall
Of man from his position as custodian of Earth
Will our watch be remembered for anything of worth?
As we look to new horizons, new worlds to colonize
Will we learn the lessons or dismiss it all as lies?
Now they say that change is coming and it's not some fantasy
Cos the evidence is mounting and it's there for all to see
Yes they say that change is coming and it's not conspiracy
No it's not just "snake oil science" but a new harsh reality

They say that a change is coming, while we're basking in the sun
And the temperature is rising, so there's not much getting done
Yes they say that change is coming, while we look the other way
The rest of our life is hurting, in a world in disarray
Yes, they say that a change is coming
Yes, they say that a change is coming.
				

So here they are, these heroes, these giants
Holding there over our affairs, heedless to the human cares
Like spotlights, a backdrop for performance
Wishing I could be so clear, certain to shine and charge the night
Where all these roles I play, whatever the mean to me
(The father the son or the man on the run)
And though this world I'm shown, scares me tonight
Starstruck? Are we starstruck?
Starstruck? Are we starstruck?

On this dark stage, over the years
We have featured, and we have played, strutting a fretful, anxious hour
This cold cloud hangs like a curtain
"A bowl inverted is the sky, where wise men as captives lie"

Where all the world I'm told, whatever they mean to me
(The truth, the lies, and the noise in-between)
And though this world I'm shown, scares me tonight

The signs in the stars, twilight for the idols
Portents for emperors, astrologers and their lore
Vagabonds and dreamers, sharing their glory
With the bold men of science and a love of the metaphysical

Where all these roles I play, whatever they mean to me
("The stars incline us, but they do not bind us")
(Astra inclinant, sed not obligant)
And though this world I'm shown, scares me tonight
Start-struck? Are we starstruck?
Start-struck? Are we starstruck?
				

She came looking for position in answer to our need
And she was a pretty flower fair as any in the field
She burst into the room and we both did feel the rush
Had young Rome in tow but we knew he'd get the push
It wasn't very long 'til we found ourselves alone
And the business was forgotten as acquaintances were known
And then the morning after, she didn't give a damn
Sure it's better to be hung for a sheep as for a lamb
In answer to concerns she said she'd like to take a chance
So she hung up and we resumed the horizontal dance

So listen all good company, it's a cautionary tale
It's sure to make you split your sides, weep into your ale
Oh the perils and risks we take when mixing work and play
And then when we are all exposed there's a heavy price to pay

And then some short time later, when we were in a haze
Our company decided on a parting of the ways
And then my good companions sought to put me in a fix
To add insult onto injury with the dirtiest of tricks
With mischief and sharp practice in the drawing of the straws
The vote was rigged and it was me to show her the door
And when it was all over, one question she did pose,
Was I a disappointment in the other of my roles?
So it would seem that just desserts were handed all around
And another fledgling romance came crashing to the ground

So listen all good company, it's a cautionary tale
It's sure to make you split your sides, weep into your ale
Oh the perils and risks we take when mixing work and play
And then when we are all exposed there's a heavy price to pay
There's a heavy price to pay. Yes, there's a heavy price to pay.
				

Well I woke up this morning with a head full of noise
Down with all the channels the media employs
A thesaurus for breakfast and a long list of aims
Had to make a comment on the fun and games
All sweeping statements, fine sentiments
Like the decline and fall of the occident
All eloquence and persuasiveness
Poets seem to say much more with less

All the beauty of life and nature's wealth
"Is judged with all the blindness of life itself"
So invest in your daughters, educate your sons
Give them real weapons and not just guns

Well I could wring my hands, I could pace the floor
I f I could write a letter or file a report
In a world of deception and loathsome lies
The disregarded mob now have hate in their eyes
And I want to condemn them, want to make it fair
A silent scream as you punch the air
Words fail me

Well I wrote this song under a supermoon,
It's a romantic image, doesn't need this tune
But I need these words and these words need this song
To find a place where we both belong
But I keep on trying though the work is hard
Couldn't even write a decent get well card
For a stricken world with all its ills and pain
All your best intentions locked inside your brain
Words fail me, words fail me
Words fail me, words fail me

So here we are at the close of play
Seems like I'll live to write another day
So what's the point? Well the point is "mute"
It's up in the attic with me marching boots
Course it's not all bad, some of it's worse
Some of it even comes chapter and verse
From a holy book that doesn't help me at all
Better things written on a factory wall
Words fail me, words fail me
Words fail me, words fail me

Well they just fail me because they're just lines on a page
Predictable text for the digital age
They fail me because they don't make things clear
They're just hot air falling on deaf ears
They fail me because in the end they're just words
When talk is cheap, mighty seems the sword
Where to now for democracy?
A new dark chapter in our history?

For all the arrogance and ignorance
Couldn't even make a coherent response
When you have to fight to have your say
But all your fine words are just filled away
To say just what I think and to shout it out
Isn't that what all this should be about?
When your voice is ignored and your pleas are rejected
Your opinion unheeded and your views neglected

All lyrical and ebullient
Was meaning to write you but¿ then it went
All the times you came up with a good excuse
For all the suffering, misery, hate and abuse
All oppressive nouns and syllable stress
Need to get out more ¿ think less
And they fail me now when I need to prevail
When all I need is a hammer and nails

The exploitation of the power games
All the evil done in whoever's name
In the face of all this bigotry
It's not who they love or how they pray
I grapple with my frustration and ineptitude
And hide behind the words of a chosen few
All indignation and deep disgust
A tirade or a rant? Well go on if you must
				

In with the old and out with the new
The people you know should be people you knew
The old stuff's made to last don't you know
So forward into the past we'll go
Out with the new and in with the old
The next big thing's left in the cold
Boldly going where we've been before
Taking the well-worn path for sure

The memory of a golden age
Trying to relive halcyon days
The future is a parlous state
So we're for turning back
What's imminent is in our hands
We know what's real ¿ we understand
For years we played the underdog
But the world sounds better in analogue

With royalties at an all-time low
Looking back is the way to go
Keep it real and underground
You know what-s coming round

It's community, it's stronger bonds
Swimming in ever smaller ponds
They've heard it all before anyway
So please believe the hype

So it's in with the old and out with the new
The people you know should be people you knew
The old stuff's made to last don't you know
So forward into the past we'll go
Out with the new and in with the old
The next big thing's left in the cold
Boldly going where we've been before
Taking the well-worn path for sure

They said that "Pop would eat itself"
Are we all cannibals now?
Those that declare, declared it dead
While gnawing on the bones
The people who win well they know the game
Milking the system for all that it's worth
It's so much more than life and death
It's re-birth

So it's in with the old and out with the new
The people you know should be people you knew
The old stuff's made to last don't you know
So forward into the past we'll go
Out with the new and in with the old
The next big thing's left in the cold
Boldly going where we've been before
Taking the well-worn path for sure
				

[Instrumental]
				

Now Meg she was a gypsy maid, her house was out of doors
She stood a tall as amazon, rare she was the queen of the moors

Her apples were tart blackberries, her currants pods o'broom
Her wine was the dew of the wild white rose, her book a churchyard tomb
Her brothers were the craggy hills, her sisters larchen trees
Alone with her great family, she did as she did please
Brave Meg she was a gypsy fair, she lived all out of doors
She wore an old red blanket cloak, she came and she went did the queen of the moors

No breakfast has she many a morn, no dinner many a noon
Instead of supper she would stare, full hard against the moon
But every morn with woodbine fresh, she made her garlanding
And every night the dark glen yew she wove, and she would sing
Now Meg she was a gypsy maid, her house was out of doors
She stood a tall as amazon, rare she was the queen of the moors

Brave Meg she was a gypsy fair, she lived all out of doors
She wore an old red blanket cloak, she came and she went did the queen of the moors

Meg she was a gypsy maid, her house was out of doors
She stood a tall as amazon, rare she was the queen of the moors

Meg she was a gypsy fair, she lived all out of doors
She wore an old red blanket cloak, she came and she went did the queen of the moors
Rare she was the queen of the moors

[Adapted from Meg Merrilies by John Keats]
				

Red flags, poor man's grenade
Cool blows, blue serenade ¿ remember?
Comrades we said we'd stay ¿ forever
We used to gad about, getting smarter
We used to wrangle with Marx and Sartre
We used to live with inflated egos
As for the state of the party ¿ God knows?
The ghosts on your wall
They come to haunt you again
But they're hard to recall
Just like last summer's rain

Past thoughts, new memories
Loud words on summer breeze ¿ surrender
So far from yesterday ¿ remember
We used to live with the day glow people
We used to go and see Mott The Hoople

We used to lounge "a la continental"
And now you say I'm just #sentimental
The ghosts on your wall
They come to haunt you again
But they're hard to recall
Just like last summer's rain

The ghosts on your wall
They come to haunt you again
But they're hard to recall
Just like last summer's rain
				

What you going to do when the problems mount up so high?
Parking your bags in the hallway, ready to fly?
What you going to do now your sugar fountain's run dry?
Wringing your hands and trying to work out why?
Never ever, ever fall in love, well this could be true
But you're tired of chasing rainbows, lost to heaven ¿ who knows?
(Look for your saving grace)

The measure, slowly coming round now
The measure, they'll catch you if they can
The measure, shows you what you're worth now
The measure, the measure of a man

What your going to do when you're tired of bruising your pride?
Spin a coin, choose a black or white side?
What you going to do when they take you on that long ride?
Change your name, to save your worthless hide?
Never ever, ever even know yourself, well this could be true
You're tired of ringing numbers, all out of your tiny mind
(Fall onto your knees)

The measure, slowly coming round now
The measure, they'll catch you if they can
The measure, shows you what you're worth now
The measure, the measure of a man

Am I a lost 'cause? Am I so see through?
All for the man who lives his attitudes

The measure, slowly coming round now
The measure, they'll catch you if they can
The measure, shows you what you're worth now
The measure, the measure of a man

The measure, slowly coming round now
The measure, they'll catch you if they can
The measure, shows you what you're worth now
The measure, the measure of a man
				

Those ghostly eyes burn in my mind
Black days hurting deep inside
So far I've been feeling my way blind
Along this borderline
Just wasting so much time¿
Grave thoughts fill my waking hours
Bad nights clearly leave their scars
And outside the beast that devours
Is couched among the flowers
And loving all its power

Sometimes I feel it's alright
To close my eyes and keep on sleeping
Far from all the oceans where they ride
And all the problems that they bring

So do you look out in the morning
Past burnt out churches, children in the rain?
Can you believe all the anger, all the hatred
And do you believe that anyone is saved?

Sometimes I feel it's alright
To close my eyes and keep on sleeping
Far from the basements where they hide
And all the problems that they bring

Those ghostly eyes burn in my mind
Cold fears churning me inside
And so far I've been feeling my way blind
Along this borderline
Just wasting so much time
Still feeling my way blind
Along this borderline
				

Wake up one and all, can't you hear the clock bird's call?
Time has stolen a march on us, yes, he makes fools of us all
We have to face the world now, pack up all your cares and moans
We can't shrug off our duties in the cold hard light of dawn
We danced the dance of intrigue and romanced the night o'happy hours
Of Bacchanalian merriment, to greet the morning star
Now with courage all renewed, so full of heart and hope that soon
Another time, another place, we'll meet again
Under a storyteller's moon