A Passion Play (Part 1)

"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 wets 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 of your best friends' telephones never cooled from the heat of your hand
From your hand.....
There's a line in a front-page story, 13 horses that also-ran
Also ran.....
Climb in your old umbrella. Does it have a nasty tear in the dome?
In the dome.....
But the rain only gets in sometimes and the sun never leaves you alone
You alone.....
You alone.....
You alone.....
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.