Strange Lot

(album: The Waiter Minute EP - 2008)

[Seth Sentry:]
A faint ghost through the raindrops, pace a frozen train stop
My brain throbs as it wanders to my day job
On my way to the place that I hate most
Strange though how I'm still afraid of getting laid off
And every day feels the same with a different date
And every face looks as plain as an empty frame
So sick of waiting for the painter to begin
To paint the plain away, for now a testament to emptiness and
Thoughts ricochet, through my fickle pickled brain
Rain trickles down the grimace, same image, different name
Fault searcher, my soul's an impulse purchase
'Round here we serve beer, not purpose
Step aside

[Jane Bunn:]
When I wake up, my mind is full of dread
In the evening, sleep as though I'm dead
I'm so tired, sad and lonely
Happy when I'm dreaming only
I wanna break free, ain't escaping here
'Cause I'm tied down, paralyzed in fear
Every day's the same but everyone has changed
I can't let it slide, better step aside

[Seth Sentry:]
We all look so morose
Soaked overcoats, hope comatosed
Folks know the ropes, don't row the boat, just float
Don't delay, don't you go and chase the blown away
Umbrella cross the motorway, tell 'em keep a poker face
For the joker's sake, hold your plate steady while we load it up
And smoke your face, pretty while your throat is cut
Yeah, things that go bump know what's up
Only showing love through the drugs and the modem plug
Moments past, only last in photographs, show some gums
Fool the picture homie, no, he couldn't give a lonely fuck
So they don't smile they just show their teeth
And sit below the streets on broken rollercoaster seats
With today's valid ticket like this trip is where they're all supposed to be
But don't be difficult, the warning poster's read
And if it all amounts to this, then all aboard and count your chips
A flock of dirty pigeons fighting over water fountain sips
Step aside

[Jane Bunn:]
When I wake up, my mind is full of dread
In the evening, sleep as though I'm dead
I'm so tired, sad and lonely
Happy when I'm dreaming only
I wanna break free, ain't escaping here
'Cause I'm tied down, paralyzed in fear
Every day's the same but everyone has changed
I can't let it slide, better step aside

[Seth Sentry:]
Now I could learn to hide a smirk behind a smile
In a nice designer shirt, life of work, buy a pile of dirt
And plant a house in it past the shanty town limits
Where the angry crowds picket, pick a hand-me-down image
And be an average bloke, the same person that you know
That hates work but has to go to pay for the back he broke
Toiling in the fields, what's the point of putting poison in their meals
When a coin will have them oiling up the wheels?
For the rich man's chariot they're carrying
A figjam arrogance and shrink-wrapped happiness
(Hand it out) Same shit, different brand name
(Gather 'round) Same slip, different cash claim
Wait, welcome to the day it was rocket science
And watch grey become a ying-yang compromise
Throw the canary down the mineshaft
With a gas mask for the last laugh, tip your bar staff
Step aside

[Jane Bunn:]
When I wake up, my mind is full of dread
In the evening, sleep as though I'm dead
I'm so tired, sad and lonely
Happy when I'm dreaming only
I wanna break free, ain't escaping here
'Cause I'm tied down, paralyzed in fear
Every day's the same but everyone has changed
I can't let it slide, better step aside

[Seth Sentry:]
And welcome to the day that the daisy chain
Breaks from the weight and strain, but everything remains the same
And welcome to the day that the painter came
Astounded every critic with a thousand different shades of grey
And welcome to the day that the sweat from every brow
Was ours to keep and every pawn was proudly crowned a queen
And welcome to the night that while the captain slept
We abandoned ship with our lanterns lit singing
Step aside

[Jane Bunn:]
When I wake up, my mind is full of dread
In the evening, sleep as though I'm dead
I'm so tired, sad and lonely
Happy when I'm dreaming only
I wanna break free, ain't escaping here
'Cause I'm tied down, paralyzed in fear
Every day's the same but everyone has changed
I can't let it slide, better step aside