The Puppet Has Cut His Strings

Album: Wise Up Ghost (2013)
Play Video
  • They pulled the stars down one by one
    Hauled up the moon to shine upon
    A velvet curtain rising
    Now her puppet has cut his strings

    The footlights glare
    The trumpets blare
    Why is your face drawn on so glum, old chum
    Paintbrush dragging on a drum
    The rimshot on the punchline that you fumbled
    The crowd went home and left you
    For dead
    My old woodenhead
    Took the thimble and the thread
    Choked back tears like a cymbal

    The breath is slow and shallow too
    The sky is bright Venetian blue
    The cardboard sun is all ablaze
    The air is painted Clifford Brown
    Caressing "Yesterdays"
    The steady gaze of your glass eye
    Head in a basket smiling still
    Free of will, free of wisdom

    Can't feel my fingers anymore
    Can't raise my hand and ask for more
    Dance my doll across the floor
    Or fire a flag from a pistol
    ("Bang")

    They pulled the stars down one by one
    Hauled up the moon to wish upon
    The puppet finally cut his strings
    And free at last from earthly things
    He's dancing on the ceiling
    With a showgirl in a feather dress
    Time is meaningless

    We carried you on buckled limbs
    Through mournful airs and martyrs hymns
    Then one blue and one more yellow pill
    One keeps you quiet
    One keeps you still
    You sang "The Way You Looked Tonight"
    Your voice is ringing true and clear
    Then you wore them down like candlelight

    And in the darkness
    You'd best beware
    And in the darkness
    You'd best beware
    You'd best beware
    You'd best beware
    I used to love him
    When I used to care
    Canopy
    Satin trim
    Slowly closing
    The puppet has cut his strings
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.

David Paich of Toto

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.