The Church - Ritz Lyrics

[By Steve Harley / Cockney Rebel]

Hark to Roualt's white insanity
Clowns in drag concealing vanity
This is hardly Paradise
We're still in search of petty scorn

Images so dead in mourning
Clap and cheer the man performing
This is hardly Paradise
We're still in search of petty scorn

Couch my disease in chintz-covered kisses
Glazed calico cloth, my costume this is
Come to Pablo Fanque's in indigo
We'll show you pastel shades of rhyme

It's ok to laugh in harmony
See the white-faced August Tommy
Come to Pablo Fanque's in indigo
We'll show you pastel shades of rhyme

Take a letter, Ophelia, write
"Sorry Desdemona" bright
Peeking through the nimbus covers
We see the twisted tale of Man

Catch us in the cornfields hiding
Me, Maryse and Moonbeams gliding
Peeking through the nimbus covers
We see the twisted tale of Man

Careless, caress, curl up beside me
Visit, sleep and smile, and drown me
March together, slay like Nero
We'll show you something you understand

Oh! the clown, his stare is eyeless
Shall he make you laugh or cry, yes
March together, slay like Nero
We'll show you something you understand

[The following verses are from the Cockney Rebel original version. Steve and Marty have performed the entire song live on occasion.]

It is time to hide my body
Shall we start to speak of Holly
I don't wanna be that superhero
'Til you have something we understand

Heard they're moving Pisces into June
Shall we put together a platoon
I don't wanna be that superhero
'Til you have something we understand