50 replies to this topic

[pauloedu]

I think this should be the first.

* English is a foreign language to me, so be patiente.

I´m not sure if I understand the handwriting of that picture, let me see.

Wolves, Lower

Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, don't get caught.
Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, let others out.
Wilder lower wolves.
Here's a house to put wolves out the door.
In a corner gard(en), wilder, wilder, waaaaa
House in order. aaaaaa (x4)
Down there then rounding a posse to ride.

Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, don't get caught.
Suspicion myself, suspicion myself, let others out.
Wilder lower wolves.
Here's a house to put wolves out the door.

In a corner gard(en), wilder, wilder, waaaaa
House in order. aaaaaa (x4)
Down there then rounding a posse to ride.


Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, don't get caught.
Suspicion yourself, suspicion myself, suspicion myself,
Wilder lower wolves.
Here's a house to put wolves out the door.

In a corner gard(en), wilder, wilder, waaaaa
House in order. aaaaaa (x4)
Down there then rounding a posse to ride.

What do you think?

[beatadrum]

I think the 'then' is a there though Michael handwriting isn't that clear. I think he also changed 'others' to 'us' at some point soon after.

[bluemookie]

pauloedu, on 03 October 2011 - 09:32 PM, said:

I think this should be the first.

* English is a foreign language to me, so be patiente.

I´m not sure if I understand the handwriting of that picture, let me see.

Wolves, Lower

Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, don't get caught.
Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, let us out.
Wilder lower wolves.
Here's a house to put wolves out the door.
In a corner gard(en), wilder lower wolves
House in order. aaaaaa (x4)
Down there then rounding a posse to ride.

Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, don't get caught.
Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, let others out.
Wilder lower wolves.
Here's a house to put wolves out the door.

In a corner gard(en), wilder lower wolves
House in order. aaaaaa (x4)
Down there they're rounding a posse to ride.


Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, don't get caught.
Suspicion yourself, suspicion myself, suspicion myself,
Wilder lower wolves.
Here's a house to put wolves out the door.

In a corner gard(en), wilder lower wolves
House in order. aaaaaa (x4)
Down there they're rounding a posse to ride.

What do you think?

My take.

[bluemookie]

GARDENING AT NIGHT - Chronic Town version

I see your money on the floor, I felt the pocket change.
Though all the feelings that broke through that door
just didn't seem to be too real.     
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes.
Somewhere it must be time for penitence.  Gardening at night is never where (well?)

Gardening at night.  Gardening at night.  Gardening at night.

The neighbors go to bed at ten.
Call the prayer line for a change.
The charge is changing every month.
They said it couldn't be arranged.
We ankled up the garbage sound, but they were busy in the rows.
We fell up, not to see the sun, gardening at night just didn't grow.
I see your money on the floor, I felt the pocket change.
Though all the feelings that broke through that door
just didn't seem to be too real.

Gardening at night.  Gardening at night.  Gardening at night.

Your sister said that you're too young.
She should know she's been there twice.
The call was two and fifty-one.
They said it couldn't be arranged.   
We ankled up the garbage sound, but they were busy in the rows.
We fell up, not to see the sun, gardening at night just didn't grow.
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes.
Somewhere it must be time for penitence.  Gardening at night is never where (well?)

Gardening at night.  Gardening at night.  Gardening at night.

[pauloedu]

Some observations.

1 - I can´t hear the let others out, I think is let us out. (I thought it was some call me when you try to wake her up, but I really cant get that)
2 - I can´t hear the they´re, I hear then.
3 - The second verse, are you sure is yourself? I think is myself (I put in red)

Wolves, Lower

Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, don't get caught.
Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, let usout.
Wilder lower wolves.
Here's a house to put wolves out the door.
In a corner gard(en), wilder lower wolves
House in order. aaaaaa (x4)
Down there then rounding a posse to ride.

Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, don't get caught.
Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, let us out. * Are you sure is yourself? I hear myself?
Wilder lower wolves.
Here's a house to put wolves out the door.

In a corner gard(en), wilder lower wolves
House in order. aaaaaa (x4)
Down there they're rounding a posse to ride.

Suspicion yourself, suspicion yourself, don't get caught.
Suspicion yourself, suspicion myself, suspicion myself,
Wilder lower wolves.
Here's a house to put wolves out the door.

In a corner gard(en), wilder lower wolves
House in order. aaaaaa (x4)
Down there they're rounding a posse to ride.

[bluemookie]

The myself/yourself is a little ambiguous on the second verse.  Could be either.  They're/then...well, "they're" make a hell of a lot more sense.  It almost looks like "down there their rounding".  I suppose it could be then, but it certainly doesn't make as much sense.  I'll have to listen to the Chronic Town demos to get a better idea, and I don't have those at work with me.

[beatadrum]

I think it is 'down there they're rounding' or how ever Michael wishes to spell it.

[bluemookie]

So, for Stumble, what's the last part of this lyric?  Thoughts?

"Forest forest floor a racing foliage in ...???"

[pauloedu]

bluemookie, on 04 October 2011 - 07:26 AM, said:

GARDENING AT NIGHT - Chronic Town version

I see your money on the floor, I felt the pocket change.
Though all the feelings that broke through that door
just didn't seem to be too real.
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes.
Somewhere it must be time for penitence.  Gardening at night is never where (I think is where)

Gardening at night.  Gardening at night.  Gardening at night.

The neighbors go to bed at ten.(two?)
Call the prayer line for a change.
The charge is changing every month.
They said it couldn't be arranged.
We ankled up the garbage (garden?) sound, but they were busy in the rows.
We fell up, not to see the sun, gardening at night just didn't grow.
I see your money on the floor, I felt the pocket change.
Though all the feelings that broke through that door
just didn't seem to be too real.

Gardening at night.  Gardening at night.  Gardening at night.

Your sister said that you're too young.
They should know they've been there twice
The call was two and fifty-one.
They said it couldn't be arranged.  

I see your money on the floor, I felt the pocket change.
Though all the feelings that broke through that door
just didn't seem to be too real.
              
We ankled up the garbage sound, but they were busy in the rows.
We fell up, not to see the sun, gardening at night just didn't grow.

Gardening at night.  Gardening at night.  Gardening at night.

my observations

[bluemookie]

The reason I though it was "well" instead of "where", and same same with ten/two, is because there are multiple studio versions, and that slow acoustic one has the lyrics more out in front, and I'm probably hearing a bit of that too.  Listen to a few of the early live versions and alternate studio versions and tell me if you don't agree.

[beatadrum]

Carnival of Sorts


Of secret stigma repeat reel
Diminished carnival of sorts
Chronic town poster torn repeat reel
Stranger, stranger to these parts

Gentlemen don't get caught, cages under cage
Gentlemen don't get caught
Box cars are pulling out of town
Box cars are pulling out of town
Box cars are pulling out of town

Of secret stigma repeat reel
Diminished carnival of sorts
Chronic town poster torn repeat reel
Stranger, stranger

Gentlemen don't get caught, cages under cage
Gentlemen don't get caught
Box cars are pulling out of town
Box cars are pulling out of town
Box cars are pulling out of town

Cajun under, Cajun under, cajun under cage
Cajun under, Cajun under, cajun under cage

Gentlemen don't get caught, cages under cage
Gentlemen don't get caught
Box cars are pulling out of town
Box cars are pulling out of town
Box cars are pulling out of town

Of secret stigma repeat reel
Stranger, stranger to these parts
Chronic town poster torn repeat reel
Diminished, stranger

Gentlemen don't get caught, cages under cage
Gentlemen don't get caught
Box cars are pulling out of town
Box cars are pulling out of town
Box cars are pulling out of town

Boxcars are pulling a carnival of sorts
Out of town, out of town

[beatadrum]

bluemookie, on 04 October 2011 - 11:14 AM, said:

So, for Stumble, what's the last part of this lyric?  Thoughts?

"Forest forest floor a racing foliage in ...???"

As 'root' is rhymed twice (if you can rhyme the same word) and it begins 'st' then floor could be rhymed with store, I did, before seeing the word written, think it was 'star'.

That whole verse/pre chorus or whatever has bugged me for... 20 years.... I can't put into words how happy I am to FINALLY learn the truth though the cliffhanger is there's a word missing! The search goes on!

[beatadrum]

On 1,000,000: it seems written 'marker store' rather than the widely assumed 'marker stone' and that's actually backed up if you hear the song, definitely sung 'store' on olympia  and 'larrys'.

Also, 'all among the tune' rather than 'tomb'! And again the Larry's version you can hear the 'u' of tune more clearly.

I've got a hole bunch of unofficial boots of it as well but the sound's best on those two.

[beatadrum]

Secluded in a marker store
Not only deadlier but smarter too, smarter too
All among the tune
All along the ruins
Secluded in a marker store
Not only deadlier but smarter too, smarter too

I could live a million, I could live a million, I could live a million,
I could live a million years

All among, all among, all among the tune
Secret in, secret in, secret in the ruin
Secluded in a marker store
Not only deadlier but smarter too, smarter too

[bluemookie]

beatadrum, on 04 October 2011 - 11:27 AM, said:

As 'root' is rhymed twice (if you can rhyme the same word) and it begins 'st' then floor could be rhymed with store, I did, before seeing the word written, think it was 'star'.

That whole verse/pre chorus or whatever has bugged me for... 20 years.... I can't put into words how happy I am to FINALLY learn the truth though the cliffhanger is there's a word missing! The search goes on!

Heh.  You and I are cut from the same cloth.  I've been obsessing about the lyrics from 82-85, and some from '86 since 1985.  I listened to every demo and live version, tweaking my 30 band EQ to try and figure out what the lyrics were, so this has always been a big deal to me.  I've been hanging on to this lyric sheet for about 10 years, and it just seemed that now was as good a time as any to share.  Happy that there's a least a few people here that are as passionate as I am about the early lyrics.

[beatadrum]

I remember a while back contacting one of the UK-based traders to get hold of multiple versions of Stumble! It's good to see my years trying to work it out were so far away from being right lol! I think my best attempt was "foolish fingers flora racing ho reagent star"

[bluemookie]

beatadrum, on 04 October 2011 - 11:43 AM, said:

I remember a while back contacting one of the UK-based traders to get hold of multiple versions of Stumble! It's good to see my years trying to work it out were so far away from being right lol! I think my best attempt was "foolish fingers flora racing ho reagent star"

I still have an envelope of my first attempt at a lyric book back in '86.  I would logon to Prodigy and toss out my interpretation and see who could help.  I did send in a complete lyric book to the fan club, but never heard anything back.

[beatadrum]

An enjoyable word game, as with all games it's good to eventually see the answers!

[chrisha]

Right guys - to help you:

this is taken from Michaels own transcribed lyrics which was written on the dust cover of a Chronic Town EP:

Stumble:

We'll stumble through the yard.
We'll stumble through the APT.
Force fields. Explorer racing home, the ancient star.
Yellow mixed with golden hue. Scan the graveyard,
dead there be - Ball and Chain.
It was around midnight.  Hipster town.
Imagine going for a walk. Things getting around
to taking place.  It's not a waste of time.
The rich got a little poorer.
Things get around to taking place.  If they're
gonna happen at all.
bout need that jazz. bout need that stuff.
It was around.......



Carnival of Sorts

There's a secret stigma, reaping wheel.
Diminish, a carnival of sorts. Chronic Town,
poster torn, reaping wheel.  Stranger to these
parts.  Gentlemen don't get caught, cages under cage.
Boxcars are pulling out of town,
Cages under cages......


Wolves, Lower

Suspicion yourself, don't get caught.
Suspicion yourself, let us out.
Wilder lower wolves. Here's a house to put wolves out the door.
In a corner garden, wilder lower wolves.  House in order.
Down there they're rounding a posse to ride.

Suspicion yourself, don't get caught.
Suspicion yourself, suspicion ourselves, suspicion myself.
wilder lower wolves.  Here's a house to put wolves out the door.
In a corner garden, wilder lower wolves.
House in order.
Down there they're rounding a posse to ride.


1,000,000

Secluded in a marker stone.  Not only deadlier, but smarter too.
All along the tomb, secret in the ruin.  Secluded in a marker stone.
Not only deadlier but smarter too.  I could live a million years.
All along the tomb.  Secret in the ruin.  Secluded.......


Gardening At Night

I see your money on the floor, I felt the pocket change.
Though all feelings that broke through that door,
just didn't seem to be too real.  The yard is nothing but a fence,
the sun just hurts my eyes.  Somewhere it must be time
for penitence.  Gardening at night is never where.
Gardening at night.  The neighbors go to bed at ten.
Call the prayer line for a change.  The charge is changing
every month.  They said it couldn't be arranged.
We ankled up the garbage sound, but they were busy in
the rows.  We fell up, not to see the sun, gardening at night
just didn't grow. I see your money...
Gardening at night.  Your sister said that you're too young.
They should know thay have been there twice.  The call was 2 and 51.
They said it couldn't be arranged.
I see your money.....


Also wrote Ages Of You lyrics:

Postcard stowaway within.  Pristine indigo
without.  Banded ottoman as such.  Sofa
seated one too much.  All along the range.
Ages of You.  Train pulls over hanging bridge.
Conductor looks up, thinks out and down, hands
stuck to the left, to the right, you should fall.
The horses just don't gossip anymore.


I have transcribed exactly as Michael wrote with same formatting.

Chris

[beatadrum]

That's just the fan-transcribed stuff that has been on the net for at least 15 years. I hope you didn't pay extra for it.

It seems Blue Mookie's xerox is as close as we'll get then, the hand-writing on Radio Free Europe from a few months earlier even to a layman obviously the same as his scan and if you take it even further the hand-written sleeve to Reckoning.