1. |
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High above the city, from scaffolding of steel
Two strapping scaffolders are chucking orange peel
Both read their 'Playboy' and smoke their No. 6
And talk about the ref allowing all those penalty kicks
Then one tells the other the news he's heard that day:
They say the foreman's girder swings the other way -
Is he one? I'd never have guessed
You never can tell today
To see one, they're like all the rest
Of us, well, live and let live, that's what I say.
To be one might be kind of fun
So I'll tell you what I'll do
If you will still be my sweet baby
I'll tell you I'm one too.
Up in the convent, never ones to shirk,
Two blessed nuns are hard at work
Both spread the gossip to keep up to scratch
The knowledge of the convent as they tend the cabbage patch:
'Sister Bruno's smoking' - 'Sister Agnes eats too much -
And Sister George's habit is a thing you shouldn't touch
Is she one? I'd never have guessed etc
Up in the boardroom, beside his penthouse flat
The chairman has invited all the board in for a chat.
'Gentlemen, I'm sorry,' he says, 'But we've gone bust
'So let me make confession to the folks that I most trust.'
And leaping from the window, he screams 'I loved you all' -
While all the board start muttering as his stocks begin to fall:
'Was he one? I'd never have guessed etc.'
Parish Bring-and-Buy Sale, Miss Smith and Mrs Brown
Are putting up the trestles as they put their best friends down
Miss Smith says 'Lady Slummit thought the membership would build
'If we held less formal meetings of the Townswomen's Guild;
'But I say sitting naked with her friends Val and Midge
'Is not exactly my idea of a friendly hand of bridge.'
'Is she one? I'd never have guessed etc.'
Midnight in the Commons, while most backbenchers kip,
The member for You-Guessed-It has a session with the Whip;
Later in the Clubroom she has a little grouse
About the latest scandal which may well divide the House
The MP for 'Well-You-Know' does things I shouldn't say -
I've heard his private members' bill quite exceeds his pay
'Is he one? I'd never have guessed etc.'
The football season's with us, they're playing for the Cup,
And hugging fellows on the field is on the up and up;
But later in the showers, the striker's looking black
And starting to have doubts, he says, about the new Full Back,
'I thought I was mistaken, but now I realise
That as I kissed him for the goal, he said I'd lovely thighs.'
Is he one? I'd never have guessed etc.
Round at the barracks, where life is tough and hard
Two young lieutenants have begun to change the guard.
The guard tells the others that he never gets afraid
As he does thiings in privates when he keeps them on parade.
And also Major Swallow does things you'd never guess -
I've heard he likes to wallow in another officer's mess
Is he one? I'd never have guessed etc.
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2. |
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A stranger came into my room
And messed up my only bed
Sheets are stained and covers strewn
Then home again to true love and bread
A stranger tunnelled into my heart
He lay for a while by my side
Now sometimes we meet, and though we must part
He buried himself in my pride.
A stranger is working on my mind
He catches each word as it falls
Leaving me lost
Leaving me blind
I come when this stranger calls
Still I'll come when this stranger calls
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3. |
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The relationship is easy,
No need to define your terms
Then suddenly you find you're spending less time
With your friends, or doing your work.
The warning bells are sounding,
Better sit down and work it out
This association resembles strangulation
And the gentle voice turns to a shout
You don't want to be a couple,
No, don't want to live a lie
Don't want to seem to hold up the dream
Of a happy-ever-after or die.
Don't want to be oppressive
By setting out lots of rules
That's very patriarchal and it takes off all the sparkle
As the feelings all start to cool
The space it must be respected
Allowing lots of room
Secure but hope there's lots of scope
When non-monogamy comes too close
Don't want to be oppressive
By setting out lots of rules
That's very patriarchal and it takes off all the sparkle
And the feeling will start to cool
So how to go about things when you can't find a kiss?
Just check up on your neighbours
And see if all their labours
Have sorted out any of it
***
Honestly
Let's talk quite honestly
Let's put aside emotions, deal with facts
Such honesty can show some clarity
And all the things that feelings lack
Honestly
What about the fallacy
That the truth only hurts for a moment in time
Since the pain is pure, time is the perfect cure
At least, I think that's the line.
But how can you see so clearly
When tears obscure the view?
The politics of openness with nothing left unsaid
Confuse what's right with the best thing to do
You feel better that you've been honest
But better is a relative term
You know in the end it will work itself out
Why, what else could you honestly have done?
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4. |
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Heroes in films are regular guys, just like me and you
You're supposed to identify with everything they do
All the different heroes, some you love and some you hate
All with different points of view, but all of them are straight
Turn on the radio, or turn on the TV
Settle down with a newspaper, make yourselves a cup of tea
Read between the lines a bit and then you're sure to see
Advertisements for heterosexuality
It's not fiction, it's propaganda
DJs play the latest songs, apart from the controversial
Stick to love and Boy Meets Girl if you want to be commercial
After the song you can phone them up
Get a record at a knock-down price
'Are you married dear? How long is it now?
Three years? Well isn't that nice.'
Turn on the radio, or turn on the TV
Settle down with a newspaper, make yourselves a cup of tea
Read between the lines a bit and then you're sure to see
Advertisements for heterosexuality
It's not music, it's propaganda
Turn on the radio etc.
It's not fiction, it's propaganda
It's not music, it's propaganda
It's not entertainment, it's propaganda
|
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5. |
|
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It’s Only a Phase
A little girl comes into the world, a happy healthy baby
Daddy wanted a boy; but she’s still his pride and joy,
He’ll teach his child to be meek and mild, a proper little lady.
First day at school comes down, and soon she’s queen of the playground.
She swaps her dolls for football and fights,
Gets sent home for ripping another girl’s tights,
But what Mum and Dad find most distressing,
She plays nurses and nurses, and she undoes the dressings.
Her teacher reassures them, though she won’t play with the right toys,
Their sweet little girl won’t always act like one of the boys,
Because –
CHORUS
It’s only a phase, just a phase she’s going through
So that doesn’t mean, doesn’t mean she’s going to
Always be a little queer like this;
She’ll only be another year like this.
You will find she’ll change her mind,
She’ll see she’s wrong as time rolls on;
It’ll only last a few more days – it’s only a phase.
They send her to an all-girls school to learn to be a lady –
Her most enlightening hours are spent in communal showers.
She makes pals with all the gals; she sends them all half-crazy,
Until that dismal day boys came and took them all away.
And though for Shakespeare, Keats and Lawrence
She just feels complete abhorrence,
Each English class she’s in seventh heaven,
And wishes Miss Jones would give her extra lessons.
But when she tells her teacher what she wants them for,
Miss Jones only smiles and tells her, ‘I’ve been through this before’.
CHORUS
It’s only a phase, just a phase you’re going through etc
To her disgust she feels she must give up and curb her urges.
But with each boy she’s kissing, she knows something vital’s missing.
She shops around until she’s found concealed within the pages
Of a certain magazine, directions to a different scene.
She makes her way from disco to bar –
She can’t believe how many dykes there are!
Till finally comes that first night
Of passion, lust and pure delight.
And when, one day, her Dad walks in and finds them lying there,
She doesn’t make a dash for the closet – she’s happy to declare:
CHORUS
It’s not just a phase, just a phase I’m going through
And so that means, that means I’m going to
Always be a little queer like this
I won’t be just another year like this.
You will find I won’t change my mind;
You’ll see you’re wrong as the time rolls on –
It’ll last more than a few more days – it’s not just a phase.
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6. |
Tom Robinson - War Baby
05:23
|
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Only the very young and the very beautiful can be so aloof
Hanging out with the boys, all swagger and poise
I don't even care what other people are there
I just stare and stare and stare
I see your shadow in the swimming pool
I see your face in the shaving mirror
Time and time and time again
I follow your footsteps so quietly up the backstairs
And I hope and I pray you ain't never going to find me there
Smooth skin and tenderness long ago on a dark night
Wish I could see you once again just to remember it was true
I wanna be still beside you, quiet and still beside you
Listening to your breathing and feeling your warmth again
War Baby
War Baby
War Baby - I'm scared, so scared
Of whatever it is you keep putting me through
I don't think I could stand another ten years of this fighting
All this stabbing and wounding, only getting my own back
I don't wanna battle you to your feet and knees and elbows
When I'm kneeling by the candle at the foot of my own bed
Corresponding disasters every night on the TV
Sickening reality keep gripping me in its guts
All my friends talk and joke and laugh about Armageddon
But like a nightmare it's still waiting there
At the end of every day
War Baby
Woah War Baby
I'm talking about the war, baby
I'm scared, so scared
Whatever it is you keep putting me through
I'm not quite the sucker you've always taken me for
I do it out of love and you imagine you're taking me in
But later that same evening we were out in the car talking
I suddenly wondered who the hell it was we'd all been trying to fool
'Cause you were the first one I ever wanted
And it's you I come home to at the end of every day
Like a mother-sucking baby, demanding and so helpless
A little old balding man, all wrinkles and bulging eyes
War Baby
War Baby - this means
War Baby - I'm scared, so scared
Whatever it is you keep putting me through
War Baby
Talking 'bout the Third World War, baby
War Baby
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7. |
|
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WHAT'S IT LIKE TO BE A DYKE?
I've known you for years, and I'd never have guessed
But don't get me wrong, I am not distressed
I was not a teenager in the 60s without realising that we've all got to be free
and if you're gay - that's OK by me
Although I'm heterosexual, I'll always be your friend
You know I really mean that, I do not pretend
And now you know I'll always be true
Do you think you could tell me exactly what you do:
What's it like to be a dyke? What's it like?
Have you told your Mum and Dad, or would it make 'em too sad?
What's it like etc.
Have you told them at work or is that something you shirk?
What's it like etc.
Do you wear men's clothes? Do you go to strip shows?
What's it like etc.
Are you butch or fem? Do you really hate men?
What's it like etc.
Have you got a plastic cock? Do you play with it a lot?
What's it like etc.
POSITIVE SONG
I am moon, you are sea,
I draw you in, draw you in to me
You are moon, I am sea,
I am drawn into thee.
Taken and taking, we move as one,
Rising and setting just like the sun
Finding the courage, the courage to face
All the meanings of our embrace.
I am moon, you are sea etc.
When we look into each other's eyes
We find feelings of, 'What a surprise!'
Woman beautiful, woman fine,
I like having moments in which you are mine.
I am moon, you are sea etc.
Loving you, love moves me deep
Loving you, love sweetens sleep
Taken and taking we move as one
Rising and setting just like the sun
I am moon, you are sea etc.
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8. |
|
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In the brothels, in the basements,
In the back streets of Soho
They were drifting away
Never expecting the day
When the papers and their scandals
Would snuff out all the candles,
The slum boy lose his Masher or his Swell
For Oscar celebrated
As the policemen congregated
Outside the Cadogan Hotel
Oh, the closet was so dark
When the Empire Held the Square
We were in there (x2)
At the parties in the nightclubs
There was music through Europe
In the short years of peace
The parties never could cease
For with Negro Music drumming
There’s no need to fear what’s coming
As the butterflies still flutter painted wings
But the dance halls will be dripping
With their blood, as flame is stripping
The gilding from those Bright Young Things
Oh, the closet door was bolted
When the nerve gas filled the air
We were in there (x2)
In the backroom, in the sauna,
There was weeping on Broadway
On the night Judy died
But from the tears there came Pride
Cos before the wreaths had faded
The clubs and bars were raided
And the Queers were dragged out screaming by the hair
But they turned on their attackers
And the tide of years rolled back as
The sound of Freedom filled the air
Oh, the closet doors still stand
But we can smash them if we dare
We were in there
We won’t stay in there
In - here
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9. |
|
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I seem to be at the beck and call of one and all
There’s never time for
I simply wait as I always do for a rendezvous, held in secret and held late
CHORUS:
I’m kept in the dark never asking questions
I don’t complain when she summons me
In seconds, I’ll be here
Have no fear
I tell myself that I’ll give her up, no ifs or buts
But — then I see her face.
I know that I’ll never call my bluff, say ‘that’s enough’
It’s hidden in a smile
CHORUS:
We sit in the dark, kept apart in daylight
I can’t complain too much when we touch
In the night, always knowing, she’ll soon be going.
She leaves me in the dark, I never ask her, ‘When?’
I don’t complain as she quietly goes — and then I’m alone
Well — mustn’t moan
I’ll just wait in the dark.
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10. |
|
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Most people see you as a clown
They always try to put you down
More like a woman than a man -
What's wrong with that? I don't understand
Nancy boy... Nancy boy...
Nancy boy - they shout at you as you walk by
Boring straight men patronise you
Pretending that they don't despise you
They clutch their girlfriends like drowning men
So scared of what you'll see in them
Nancy boy... etc.
Nancy boy - drunk in pubs they hug each other
Nancy boy - he's my mate, we're just like brothers
Nancy boy - they shout at you as you walk by
Nancy boy - no-one's ever quite as witty as a
Nancy boy - no-one's ever half as pretty as a
Nancy boy
You send me as you sashay by
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11. |
|
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The British Police are the best in the world
I don't believe one of these stories I've heard
'Bout them raiding our pubs for no reason at all
Lining the customers up by the wall
Picking out people, knocking them down
Resisting arrest as they're kicked on the ground
Searching their houses, calling them queer
I don't believe that sort of thing still happens here
Sing if you're glad to be gay
Sing if you're happy that way (hey)
Sing if you're glad to be gay
Sing if you're happy this way
Being a lesbian’s wonderful fun
You ain’t fit to mother a daughter or son
There's no nudes in Gay News, our lost magazine
But they still – whoops! Sorry, Capital Gay!
Read how disgusting we are in the press
The Evening News and the Sunday Express
Molesters of children, corruptors of youth
It's there in the paper, it must be the truth
Sing if you're glad to be gay
Sing if you're happy this way (hey)
Sing if you're glad to be gay
Sing if you're happy this way
Have you heard the story about Peter Wells?
One day was arrested and dragged to the cells
For being in love with a man of eighteen
The vicar found out they’d been having a scene
The ,magistrate sent him for trial by the crown
He appealed but they still sent him down
He was only mistreated a couple of years
‘Cos even in prison they look after the queers
Sing if you're glad to be gay etc.
And sit back and watch as they close down our clubs
Arrest us for meeting and raid all our pubs
Make sure your boyfriend's at least twenty-one
So only your friends and your brothers get done
Lie to your workmates, lie to your folks
Put down all the queens, and tell anti-queer jokes
Gay Lib's ridiculous, join their laughter
"The buggers are legal now, what more are they after?"
(Let’s go!)
Sing if you're glad to be gay etc.
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12. |
|
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If you're down in London Town and happen to be gay
There's a great information service open every day
They'll tell you who and where and when and how and why and more
On eight-three-double-seven-three-two-four
Eight-three-double-seven-three-two-four
|
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13. |
|
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They call it growing up, but I call it schizophrenia
They call it being alive, but I call it schizophrenia
They say. 'You're acting strange'
- You've been acting all your life,
In a play you haven't written
In a strip that's based on lies
They call it growing up, but I call it schizophrenia
They call it being alive, but I call it schizophrenia
They drive a wedge between your body and your mind
They've got you caught up in the original double bind
They say it isn't right for a man to love a man
And a woman in a woman's hands is upsetting a natural plan
They sow confusion and they make you hate yourself
When they've filled you full of madness, they say they want to help.
They call it growing up, but I call it schizophrenia
They call it being alive, but I call it schizophrenia
|
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14. |
|
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All you gay women, all you gay men
Come together, stand together and each other's rights defend
There are ghettos in the city, some are black and some are white
Some you see and some are hidden in the shadows of the night
To be gay is to be fighting all the prejudice and lies
Which condemn us to be running scared and lonely all our lives
All you gay women etc
There are people in the cities and the towns throughout the land
Who are saying to themselves this is the time to take a stand
Workers, women, gays and black and white now opening our eyes
To the need to take control of both our bodies and our lives
All you gay women etc
|
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15. |
|
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It's the same old story all over the world
When a boy meets a boy and a girl meets a girl
We all come together 'cos we're happy to say
It's a natural fact and it's good to be gay
We've been analysed, ridiculed and driven away
By our elders and betters, just for growing up gay
They trampled on our feelings till we hid them for shame
Now 'Glad to be Gay' is the name of the game
It's the same old story etc.
Now don't feel guilty if you're passing for straight
If you wanna be yourself, well it's never too late
People won't mind if you're honest and gay
You might even find they prefer you that way
It's the same old story etc.
Some sisters and brothers who are glad to be gay
Say they don't need to join 'cos they're doing OK
But we need supporting and we need it today
And besides, we've tried it and we like it!
It's the same old story etc.
|
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16. |
|
|||
There's a policeman hiding in my cupboard
He's got a notebook in his hand
He's watching me in bed and he's shaking his head
And he's going to put me on remand:
CHORUS
Keep your filthy laws off my body
Ain't your business what I do
All my lovin' never hurt no-one
Unless he really wanted me to
Keep your filthy laws off my body
Don't tell me how, or when, or who
Keep your filthy laws off my body -
What's it got to do with you?
The judge in the court got a legal definition
The priest in the pulpit got a missionary position
Tells me it's set in tablets of stone
It's not my body to call my own
CHORUS
Keep your filthy laws etc.
VERSE 2
Now my sister's standing in the doctor's
He's got her case notes in his hand
He's fingering his tie as he's telling her why
She can't have abortion on demand
CHORUS
Keep your filthy laws off my body
Ain't your business what I do
Isn't easy making these choices -
Don't wanna be a criminal too
Keep your filthy laws off my body
Don't tell me how or when or who
Keep your filthy laws off my body
What's it got to do with you?
Keep your filthy laws etc.
What's it got to do with you?
What's it got to do with you?
What's it got to do with YOU?
|
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17. |
|
|||
There's a girl I'm crazy about
And I know she's wild about me
But at rough stuff she don't know what to do
Cos I'm the leading lady, she's the ingenue
Has he pleaded? No
Or conceded? No
Has she asked to be coerced?
Has he put himself into my hands
And whispered, “Honey, do your worst"?
Well, she hadn't up till yesterday
But I bet she will tonight
The rod is in the water
And the fish is going to bite
I'm going to whip up all her ardour
Till her cheeks are glowing bright
And if she doesn't know the ropes by now
You can bet she will tonight
Yes, she hadn't up till yesterday
But I bet she will tonight
We're going to make up dirty stories
Just to whet our appetite
You won't find them in the Manuals
Cos their out of copyright
And if she’s never heard of ‘On Our Backs’
You can bet she won't tonight
Now although she's a first offender
I'm going to make that girl surrender
Got accoutrements we're going to try on
Turn a baby lamb into a mountain lion
Shall I make her? Yes
Shall I take her? Yes
Shall I give her one more push?
Once I’ve got her where I want her
There’ll be no beating ‘bout the bush
Cos she hadn't up to yesterday
But I bet she will tonight
I'm gonna start right in and teach her
How to play with dynamite
I'm gonna light that blue touch paper
And watch the flame ignite
And if she's never been scraped off the ceiling
You can bet she’ll be tonight
Well, she hadn't up till yesterday
But tonight she's letting rip
There'll be no vanilla ice cream
But I've got some instant whip
Gonna strap her in her harness
So she's ready for the flight
And if she's never been to the stratosphere
You can bet she’ll be tonight
|
||||
18. |
||||
Forget the men in leather
The big boys acting tough
The macho hunks and the streetwise punks
And the guys who strut their stuff
Forget those teenage cuties
They're just a bit of fluff
You can blow your fuse over ingenus
But I say, Enough's enough.
I've done the rounds and I know the drill
And when all is said and done
When I want a man for my action plan
Give me a red-hot nun
Bless me sister, for I have sinned
And I want to sin again
Now I'm on my knees and I'm asking, please
Won't you simply say "Amen"
Hallelujah! Let me sock it to ya
Do you want a bit of fun?
If you want a slice of earthly paradise
Better do it with a nun
When you swing that thurible
There's an itching in my glands
But I know the fever's curable
With the laying on of hands
Bless me sister and ease my pain
Cos I'm underneath your spell
And alas! for me if it's blasphemy
Then I'll have to go to hell
It's so simple; underneath your wimple
There's a heaven to be won
Won't you set me free from my Purgatory?
Let me do it with a nun
If we live just like the saints
Then in heaven he'll reward us
But I need some more restraints
If I'm taking holy orders
They say that Jesus loved me
But Jesus is so dead
And you're lucky if you can find a stiff
Who can give you decent head
Well, maybe he is risen
Just like the bible said
In the meantime I'd rather kiss the bride
Give me a nun instead
When I see you in your scapula
You can whistle and I'll run
Cos I've heard the call and I'm gonna fall
Tempted by a red-hot nun
Bless me sister and hear my prayer
Fingering my rosary
Underneath your gamp I know you're just a tramp
So won't you manifest to me
Reach out, grab it - this could be a habit
So I'm telling everyone
Don't need specs to see I'm in ecstasy
If I do it with a nun
Lay your rod across my hide
I'm confessing to my sin
The gates of heaven open wide -
So why don't you enter in?
Bless me sister, anoint my brow -
Won't you sprinkle a few drops
Cos I want a male who will lift the veil
And pull out the organ stops
My affection needs some resurrection
And I know when you've begun
I can banish shame, light a holy flame
When I do it with a nun
Do it with a nun
Do it with a nun
Do it with a nun
When I do it with a nun
|
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19. |
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20. |
|
Homo Promos London, UK
The excitement generated by the audience at the largest gay benefit concert ever staged in this country is very apparent on this album. On December 8th 1982 the Albany Empire was filled to capacity with gay women and men eager to support this Lesbian Line / Gay Switchboard benefit, Though most of the performers will be new to you, at that time they represented over 50 years of LGBT music making. ... more
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