I Can Tell A Lie

(album: Tenterfield Saddler - 1972)

I've told so many stories that my mind pretends
Falsehoods are my brothers
They're my good friends
And big sad tears
They're my next of kin
But anytime you want me to
I can be genuine

Just sit me in front of an unbroken spinet
On a ladder back-chair with my face to the sun
I'll make you heartbreaking rhymes
I'll give you pleasure sometimes
And I can tell a lie
But I just can't sing one

I was born in a house where the windows were wide
And the loving indoors it matched the living outside
Our mornings they were early they were noisy and fine
Would you like to believe a song of mine?
Then all you've got to do is just

Just sit me in front of an unbroken spinet
On a ladder back-chair with my face to the sun
I'll make you heartbreaking rhymes
I'll give you pleasure sometimes
And I can tell a lie
But I just can't sing one

There's a woman in my feather-bed
She's wearing honeysuckle perfume
And ribbons of red
She's lets her hair hang
Her eyes are cornflower blue
And if you don't think this story rings true

Just sit me in front of an unbroken spinet
On a ladder back-chair with my face to the sun
I'll make you heartbreaking rhymes
I'll give you pleasure sometimes
And I can tell a lie
But I just can't sing one