Harness Your Hopes

Album: Spit on a Stranger (1999)
Play Video
  • Harness your hopes
    On just one person
    Because you know a harness
    Was only made for one

    Don't telegraph your passes
    You'll end up with molasses
    Cauterized in syrup
    And syrup and molasses

    And I'm checking out the asses
    The assets that attract us
    To anything that moves
    We're deep inside the grooves

    And it's time to shake the rations
    'Cause someone's gonna cash in
    The plot it turns again
    The reference starts at ten

    Well, show me
    A word that rhymes with Pavement
    And I won't kill your parents
    And roast them on a spit

    And a-don't you try to etch it
    Or permanently sketch it
    Or you're gonna catch a bad bad cold

    And the freaks have stormed the White House
    I moved into a lighthouse
    It's on a scenic quay
    It's oh so far away

    Far away from the beginning
    The shroud is made of linen
    The yearling took your purse
    The goth kid has a hearse

    Heart-breaking
    Earth-quaking
    Kiwis they are home baking
    Minds wide open truly

    Leisure
    A leisure suit is nothing
    It's nothing to be proud of
    In this late century

    And I'm asking you to hold me
    Just like the morning paper
    Pinched between your pointer
    Your index and your thumb

    It's a semi-automatic
    Believers are ecstatic
    You see the way they cling
    The cold metallic sting

    And I'm living in a coma
    For Donna de Varona
    The harness made of hopes
    The lovers on the ropes

    Nun is to church
    As the parrot is to perch
    And my heart's
    Wide open truly Writer/s: Stephen Joseph Malkmus
    Publisher: CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Hipgnosis Songs Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • Percy Jackson 2 from Camp Half-blood, Long Island South, NySlay!!!!!
see more comments

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.