The indecencies of city streets

The cleaners' sweeping trucks from nine to noon

And the factories make clouds

To keep the sun from being jealous like the moon

While the husband holds his house

He hates his children for being green when he is gray

And his wife, she likes to talk on telephones

But just to people far away

Well, the big surprise was televised

On a crowded couch their eyes grew wide and wet

Oh, was it really such a sad event?

You could capture this with camera clips, but it don't exist

Just light on negatives

Another number on the birthday cake

You should act your age

We were hungry for a holiday

Won't cooperate with the calendar we found

We just scattered snow-like styrofoam

And sang our christmas carols all through town

And the voices soared, the people joined

With silver coins they filled our cupping hands

And we all agreed, the charity was much in need

Yes, a nobel cause at that

And I met a man, a mannequin

Who stood so still I knew he was afraid

And he preferred a place of permanance

To the awful guessing game of choice and change

Well, the big surprise was telelvised

On a crowded couch our eyes grew wide and wet

Oh yes, it's really such a sad event

You can't capture this with camera clips

No, it don't exist

Just light on negatives

Another candle on a birthday cake

And a wish you make

Well, if the costume fits, keep wearing it

But no Halloween could quite account for this

I guess you're getting into character

Or just be yourself, if that would help

Or sink completely into someone else

You dreamt of mountains but sometimes a hole

Is more comfortable