Van der Graaf Generator — La Rossa

[Intro] Lacking sleep and food and vision Here I am again, encamped upon your floor Craving sanctuary and nourishment Encouragement and sanctity and more The streets seemed very crowded, I put on my bravest guise - I know you know that I am acting, I can see it in your eyes [Verse 1] In the harsh light of freedom I know that I cannot deny That I have wasted time, have frittered it away in idle boasts Of my freedom and fidelity when simpler words Would have profited me most It isn't enough in the end, when I'm looking for hope [Verse 2] Though the organ monkey screams And the pipes begin to spit Still he'll go through the dance routines Just as long as he thinks that they'll fit Just as long as he knows that it's dance, smile... Or quit [Verse 3] Like the monkey I dance to a strange tune When all of these years I've longed to lie with you But I have bogged myself down in the web of talk Quack philosophy and sophistry At physicality I've always baulked Like the man in the chair who believes it's beyond him to walk I've been hiding behind words, fearing a deeper flame exists Faintly aware of the passage of opportunities I have missed [Verse 4] But the nearness and the smell of you La Rossa from head to toe... And I don't know what I'm telling you But I think you ought to know: Soon the dam wall will break, soon the water will flow And the organ-monkey groans As the organ-grinder plays And he's hoping, at the most For an end to the dancing days Still he hops up and down on his perch In the usual jerky way... Though this might mean an end to all friendship There's something I'm working up to say [Bridge] Think of me what you will: I know that you think you feel my pain-- No matter if that's just the surface If we made love now would that change all that has gone before? Of course it would, there's no way it could ever be the same... One more line crossed, one more mystery explained Now I need more than just words Though the options are plain They lead from all momentary action If we make love now it will change all that is yet to be... Never could we agree in the same way again One more world lost, one more heaven gained One more heaven gained [Break] [Verse 5] La Rossa, you know me, you read me as though I am glass; Though I know it there's no no way in which I can pass... Though it means that you'll finish my story At last I'd trade all the clever talk, the joking and the smoking And the quips, all the midnight conversations, all the friendship All the words and all the trips For the warmth of your body The more vivid touch of your lips [Verse 6] All bridges burning behind me All safety beyond reach... The monkey feels his chains out blindly Only to find himself released [Outro] Take me, take me now and hold me Deep inside your ocean body Wash me as some flotsam to the shore There leave me lying evermore! Drown me, drown me now and hold me down Before your naked hunger Burn me at the altar of the night - Give me life! Give me life! [Instrumental/Saxophone Solo]