When I was just a kid way back in my hometown

There was a crazy little man who once came around

Syncopatin' Sandy was the stranger's name

Playing marathon piano, that was Sandy's game.



He played all day, he played all night

After 48 hours he was still alright

We fed him whiskey from a paper cup

And we wondered how long he could keep it up.



How long? how long?

How long? how long?



Well his eyes are rollin' and he can't even speak

The spirit's willing but the flesh is weak

How long? how long?

How long? how long?



People would come and the people would go

And the people all agreed it wasn't much of a show

They all Sandy must be weak in the head

And if he didn't stop soon he would drop down dead.



He played all day, he played all night

After 96 hours he was still alright

We fed him whiskey from a paper cup

And we wondered how long he could keep it up.



How long? how long?

How long? how long?



Well his eyes are rollin' and he can't even speak

The spirit's willing but the flesh is weak

How long? how long?

How long? how long?



(fade)

How long? how long?







Drums: Liam Genockey

Bass Guitar: Pete Zorn

Keyboards: Ian Lynn

Woodblocks: Frank Ricotti

Acoustic Guitar: Gerry Rafferty

Clarinets/Strings Arranged By: Wil Malone

String Leader: Gavin Wright

Vocals: Gerry Rafferty