The Great Unknown lyrics

Tony Butler

It was me on the street, with my face on the stones,
Didn't know where I was, I couldn't feel my bones.
It was me in the gutter, in the city of sin,
I had no sense of time, I didn't know where I'd been.
I opened my eyes saw the rain coming down,
Here's a brave new day for a sad old clown.
I looked at the sky and lost in the grey
It's the same old world, better change my ways.

I'm going back to the great unknown,
To bare my soul and to find my home.
I'm stepping out of this empty space, 
To make my peace with the human race.
I don't need you to sympathise,
I just want you to be my guide.
But if I fall, I'll turn to stone,
And lose my place in the great unknown.

It was me on the cross, with my hands full of holes,
Just one more drink and I could save your souls.
It was me on the end of the fist on your face,
I'm not a violent man, just a complete disgrace.
I held up my head to the picture of you,
There's a devil inside that could see me too.
I held up my hands to the cold grey light,
See me through the day, stay with me tonight.

I'm going back to the great unknown,
To bare my soul and to find my home.
I'm stepping out of this empty space, 
To make my peace with the human race.
I don't need you to sympathise,
I just want you to be my guide.
But if I fall, I'll turn to stone,
And lose my place in the great unknown.

The great unknown.

There must be more than this for me,
I've gone too far, even I can't see.
This useless waste of flesh and bone,
Must reach out into the great unknown.

The great unknown.

I held all the keys to success in my hand,
Why did I let go? I don't understand.
Do I know now what I didn't before,
Did you love me then? I was never sure.

I'm going back to the great unknown,
To bare my soul and to find my home.
I'm stepping out of this empty space, 
To make my peace with the human race.
I don't need you to sympathise,
I just want you to be my guide.
 But if I fall, I'll turn to stone,
 And lose my place in the great unknown.

I don't need you to sympathise,
I just want you to be my guide.
But if I fall, I'll turn to stone,
And lose my place in the great unknown.

There's a beauty in an English garden,
There's a heat in southern sea.
There's a smell in a Swedish forest,
There's a chill in a northern breeze. (Oh-oh-oh)
There's a crime in a punishment beating,
There's a blue in a burning flame. (Oh-oh)
There's a hate in a raging riot,
There's a loser in every game.

(And when I feel) And when I feel it's all gone wrong, it reappears:
(The book of light) The book of light that shines the answer.
Honey bees and wild red roses, living side-by-side.
And side-by-side I'll stand with Moses,
The words in stone they'll be my guide.

(Oh-oh-oh)
There's a garden in a new-found aura,
There's an age in full-grown tree. (Oh-oh)
There's a hunger in a sunlit region,
There's a lie in the land that's free.
(There's a colour) There's a colour in a fresh new season,
(There's a light) There's a light in the ray of hope.
(There's a beat) There's a beat in the heart of the chairman,
(There's a waste) There's a waste in a bag of dope.

(And when I feel) And when I feel it's all gone wrong, it reappears:
(The book of light) The book of light that shines the answer.
Honey bees and wild red roses, living side-by-side.
And side-by-side I'll stand with Moses,
The words in stone they'll be my guide.
The words in stone we've found'll be my guide.
Honey bees and wild red roses, living side-by-side.
And side-by-side I'll stand with Moses,
The words in stone they'll be my guide.
The words in stone we've found will be my guide.

I will never know, I will never find, a way to deal with you.
It never will, I won't even try, to make your dream come true.
I will never change, no reason why, please look into my world:
There's more in my life for me, just look toward the sky.

Another place, in another time, how should I feel for you?
Another world, a different sky, is there something I should do?
Another trip, just another high, please look into my world:
There's more in my life for me, just look toward the sky.

Do you believe in angels? I have seen their wings spread on high.
Do you believe in angels? I have felt their love floating by.
I believe in angels, I can hear them calling me, don't cry.

I've seen the way, another road, another way without you.
I've got a friend, a guiding hand, showing me the way.
I'll never stop, I'll never stop loving you, please look into my world:
There's more in my life for me, just look toward the sky.

Do you believe in angels? I have seen their wings spread on high.
Do you believe in angels? I have felt their love floating by.
I believe in angels, I can hear them calling me, don't cry.

I love you! [whispered]

Do you believe in angels? I have seen their wings spread on high.
Do you believe in angels? I have felt their love floating by.
I believe in angels, I can hear them calling me, don't cry.
Don't cry tonight.
Don't cry, don't cry tonight.

We've sung the songs about peace and love,
Sung our praises to the heavens above.
I'm walking down this road again,
I've wasted all this time, my friend.
I'm not angry, I'm not sad,
This time of year always makes me feel bad.

Calling up the grey again,
I see a few more lines, my friend.
I'm older but I'm young,
This time of year I can never see the sun.

The day the trees come down, on that January day,
An empty feeling grows in my heart.
Until the birdsong calls, and the snows melt away,
My life's a cold dark space, in an empty place in time, in time.

We've sung the songs about peace and love,
Sung our praises to the heavens above.
Getting back to work again,
Gets harder every year, my friend.
I'm not hungry, I get by,
But times like this always makes me sigh.

Got those after-Christmas blues again,
It happens every year, my friend.
I go crazy, I get bored
I miss the spirit of the season of the Lord,
Season of the Lord

The day the trees come down, on that January day,
An empty feeling grows in my heart.
Until the birdsong calls, and the snows melt away,
My life's a cold dark space, in an empty place in time, in time.

When February comes, my life will start anew,
And I will put behind me, the pain I've been going through.
And all those songs of peace and love, the festive tales and rhymes,
Like my blues will drift away, until the next time.

The day the trees come down, on that January day,
An empty feeling grows in my heart.
Until the birdsong calls, and the snows melt away,
My life's a cold dark space, in an empty place in time, in time, in time.

I was in no doubt, when your voice rang out,
I would loose this bout, I'd be lonely.
I would cry with joy, if you'd fight this boy,
Found another toy, I'd be happy.
I wish I knew what you wanted right from the start,
Ooh, I never could understand why you bought my heart.
But I can't run, I can't steal away,
You steal my love then you lock me away.

(Here I am) Here I am but I'm nowhere in your life,
(Here I am) Here I am but you don't see me.
(Here I am) Here I am just the mist in your moonlight,
(Here I am) Drifting lonely and cold every night.
Here I am, see me, let me be.

I would call you a whore, always wanting more,
I should break your jaw, you just used me.
When they call me back, how my world turns black,
Always high on crack, you disgust me.
I never knew why you set your mind on me.
Ooh, I never knew what you wanted or what I was to be.
But I can't run, I can't steal away,
You steal my love then you lock me away.

(Here I am) Here I am but I'm nowhere in your life,
(Here I am) Here I am but you don't see me.
(Here I am) Here I am just the mist in your moonlight,
(Here I am) Drifting lonely and cold every night.
Here I am, see me, let me be.

But I can't run, I can't steal away,
You steal my love then you lock me away.

(Here I am) Here I am but I'm nowhere in your life,
(Here I am) Here I am but you don't see me.
(Here I am) Here I am just the mist in your moonlight,
(Here I am) Drifting lonely and cold every night.
Here I am, see me, let me be.

(Here I am) Here I am but I'm nowhere in your life, (always in my head)
(Here I am) Here I am but you don't see me. (always in my bed)
(Here I am) Here I am just the mist in your moonlight, (always burning inside)
(Here I am) Drifting lonely and cold every night.
Here I am, see me, let me be.

Come inside and let us shelter from the early summer sun,
And watch the maypole ribbons glimmer as they swing.
Let us watch the children dancing as they rejoice the end of spring,
As we prepare for what the summer has to bring.

As the church bells' chime rings through the air,
Gathering all the people there and
The May Queen leads her parade across the square.

'Cos life is so beautiful, a time for us to live again.
A valley so beautiful, a place where we can love again.
This day was so beautiful, I can hear the little heartbeat of a child.

Sit beside me, hold my hand, and watch the carnival pass through,
And I will drink to their good fortune and to you. (Their good fortune and to you)
Feel the moment's jubilation while the season changes shade,
A gentle breeze disturbs the waters by the glade.

Now the sun hangs high over fields of green,
A fragrance fills the air so clean and
The May Queen leads her parade across the square.
And the May Queen leads her parade across the square.
And the May Queen leads her parade across the square.

'Cos life is so beautiful, a time for us to live again (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah).
A valley so beautiful, a place where we can love again (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah).
This day was so beautiful, I can hear the little heartbeat of a child.

'Cos life is so beautiful, a time for us to live again (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah).
A valley so beautiful, a place where we can love again (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah).
This day was so beautiful, I can hear the little heartbeat of a child.

I'm in a place, out of the big town,
You won't believe the things I've seen that's going down.
There's no graffiti, no sign of trouble here, 
The people look so happy, they walk around without a care.

I heard a rumour but I hoped it was a lie,
From a government official with a glint in his eye.
He said the "time had come" to put the Nation at ease,
"The time had come" for us to do as we please.
We'll re-write your memories and regain your souls, 
The time had come to give you what we call 'Pleasuretime', for free, yeah!

I asked a face, under a big car,
He grinned with grace and said it wasn't going far.
I asked a lady, she had a big smile,
She gave me lots of money and asked if I could stay awhile.

I stayed around a while but I didn't see, 
The government official with his eye on me.
He said the "time had come" to put the Nation at ease,
"The time had come" for us to do as we please.
We'll re-write your memories and regain your souls, 
The time had come to give you what we call 'Pleasuretime', for free, yeah!

Tony					Announcer (spoken)
Drink a cup of 'Pleasuretime'		Drink a cup of 'Pleasuretime'
Treat yourself and you'll feel fine	Treat yourself and you'll feel fine
'Pleasuretime' is all you need		'Pleasuretime' is all you need
To live your life in harmony		To live your life in harmony
Yey!

A normal place, turned into happy town,
The jails are closed and doors are open all around
Nobody's angry, nobody's sad here,
They're so serene, there's no-one left to share my fears.

Am I alone, or are there others here who see,
Like the government official who keeps following me?
He said the "time had come" to put the Nation at ease,
"The time had come" for us to do as we please.
We'll re-write your memories and regain your souls, 
The time had come to give you what we call 'Pleasuretime', for free, yeah!

The time had come to put the Nation at ease,
The time had come for us to do as we please.
We'll re-write your memories and regain your souls, 
The time had come to give you what we call 'Pleasuretime', for free, yeah!
'Pleasuretime' is free, yeah.

Winter sun hangs high above a cold and wretched world,
Streets once paved with Gold are filled with souls like flags unfurled.
And you were in a castle in your privileged cocoon,
And I could hear the nation cry it's feeling blue.

Everyone knows the outrage grows but they say it's OK,
The ordinary citizen has pride.
And you were in a castle with everything you hide,
And still you think we don't know we're being taken for a ride,
And I can hear the nation cry its fear inside.

Old money, knows its place, old money, veiled in lace,
Old money, hides its face, old money, knows no grace,
Old money, holds the ace to the blood-line years,
Old money, needs no space, old money, leaves no trace.

Season's celebrations die away as the last bell tolls,
Last year's memories are swept aside,
And you were in your castle, as the cold and driving rain
Beats down on the homeless as they cry in shame.

Everyone knows and they know that it shows but they say it's OK,
The Royal and the Noble fire their eyes.
When you were in your castle do you cast off your disguise?
While you wait the storm breaks, you still carry away the prize,
Then I will see the nation rise, the nation will rise.

Old money, knows its place, old money, veiled in lace,
Old money, hides its face, old money, knows no grace,
Old money, holds the ace to the blood-line years,
Old money, needs no space, old money, leaves no trace.

Born into money, born to be King,
Born from history, taken from within.
Scandals come, rumours go,
The pageant goes on, enjoy the show.

Old money, old money, old money, old money,
Old money, holds the ace to the blood-line years.

Old money, knows its place, old money, veiled in lace,
Old money, hides its face, old money, knows no grace,
Old money, holds the ace to the blood-line years,
Old money, needs no space, old money, leaves no trace.

Old money, knows its place, old money, veiled in lace,
Old money, hides its face, old money, knows no grace,
Old money, holds the ace to the blood-line years,
Old money, needs no space, old money, leaves no trace.

Old money [repeat & fade]

I couldn't explain the reformation, I couldn't explain the wars.
I couldn't explain the revolutions, I couldn't explain the laws.
I couldn't explain discrimination, when people say they're free.
I couldn't explain the United Nations but I know why I'm here.

Sit down and take a look around and tell me what you see.
Well are we ready? Tell me are we ready?

I said "Lord! You've been a long time coming."
Don't go away, you're here to stay and I'm pleased to meet you.
I said "Lord! You've been a long time coming."
Open your eyes towards the skies, can you see heaven?

I couldn't explain the new religions, I couldn't explain the war.
I couldn't explain the persecution, that I couldn't explain at all.
I couldn't explain the abolition, when people say they're 'green'.
I couldn't explain my generation but I know why I'm me.

Come out and take a look about and tell me what you see.
Well are we ready? Tell me are we ready?

I said "Lord! You've been a long time coming."
Don't go away, you're here to stay and I'm pleased to meet you.
I said "Lord! You've been a long time coming."
Open your eyes towards the skies, can you see heaven?

"Guitar!"

I said "Lord! You've been a long time coming."
Don't go away, you're here to stay and I'm pleased to meet you.
I said "Lord! You've been a long time coming."
Open your eyes towards the skies, can you see heaven? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I said "Lord! You've been a long time coming."
Don't go away, you're here to stay and I'm pleased to meet you.
I said "Lord! You've been a long time coming."
Open your eyes towards the skies, can you see heaven?

You were my only hope my 'now or never'.
Sick and tired of the pain I feel, I need your heaven.
Yeah! I'm facing the world on my own.
Yeah! Who am I fooling?

When I was a boy, I used to wonder how you made your dreams come true
And somebody said to me in my sleep:
"Follow your heart and let your conscience rule your soul"
Where could I go? I tried so many ways, but nobody really cared,
I felt so alone with no direction,
I've taken some chances, lost romances, lost my home.

You were my only hope my 'now or never'.
Sick and tired of the pain I feel, I need your heaven.
Yeah! I'm facing the world on my own.
Yeah! Who am I fooling?

So here I am, taking a step down oblivion road,
Feeling so helpless and lonely and blue.
Nothing is clear but it takes me nearer to where I'm going to.

A part of me knows, there may be no way back but what have I left to loose?
But somebody said to me in my sleep:
"Follow your heart and let your conscience rule your soul"
It's my choice, it's my life. Am I lost? Will I survive?

You were my only hope my 'now or never'.
Sick and tired of the pain I feel, I need your heaven.
Yeah! I'm facing the world on my own.
Yeah! Who am I fooling, fooling?

You give me, give me time to spare,
Give me room to care, give me love so rare.
So bright, so fair, you fill me,
Fill me full of lust, riches I can't touch, (?)
From dawn to dusk,
But leave out must you fill me.

How many times did I resist your calls to come?
And how many nights did we believe that we were one?
How many times have I refused to carry on?
And how many nights have I convinced myself I'm wrong?

Oh I can't hear you, I can't see you,
But I know it won't be long.
My heart still beats for you,
My body needs you and I know it won't be long.

You gave me, gave me a Wild West dream,
A foolish scheme like the silver screen,
The courtroom scene, you made me,
Made me wear my pride, made me run and hide,
Hide my freedom deny, but side by side you made me.

How many times did I refuse to tie you down?
And how many days did I insist on coming around?
How many times have I direct a curse above?
And how many nights have I insist on making love?

No I can't hear you, I can't see you,
But I know it won't be long.
My heart still beats for you,
My body needs you and I know it won't be long.

The love that hungers for you is way too strong,
The longer I'm away is the more I cry in fear of losing you.
But soon I'll ride back into town, the hero on his stallion,
Whisk my girl away, pledge that I will stay forever.

How many times did we go walking hand-in-hand?
And how many days did we explore the unknown land?
How many times did we avoid the Sheriff's gun?
And how many times did we romance under the sun?

I can't hear you, I can't see you,
But I know it won't be long.
My heart still beats for you,
My body needs you and I know it won't be long.

No I can't hear you, I can't see you,
But I know it won't be long.
My heart still beats for you,
My body needs you and I know it won't be long.

I'll see you again and I know it won't be long.
[repeat & fade]

Little lady, put your hand in mine.
Little lady, I will always be here for you.
Little lady, If I'm the sea then you're the ocean
My love will always be running into you.

Little lady, you're all I've wanted.
Little lady, I hope that we can make it through.
Two more years and we can see if things can be the same.
Two more years and I'll be on my way home to you.

There's no reason, there's no place,
There's no future for the man with the hooded face.
There's nothing left for a man who's been disgraced,
There's no freedom for the man with the hooded face.

Little lady, I'm so sorry that I made you sad.
Little lady, I always knew that you believed in me.
Little lady, I only wanted us to have the best.
A desperate man finds desperate ways to find his dignity,
But they're the wrong ways.

There's no reason, there's no place,
There's no future for the man with the hooded face.
There's nothing left for a man who's been disgraced,
There's no freedom for the man with the hooded face.

There's no reason, there's no place,
There's no future for the man with the hooded face.
There's nothing left for a man who's been disgraced,
There's no freedom for the man with the hooded face.

(There's no reason, there's no place,)
(There's no future for the man with the hooded face.)
(There's nothing left for a man who's been disgraced,)
(There's no freedom for the man with the hooded face.)

There's no reason, there's no place,
There's no future for the man with the hooded face.
There's nothing left for a man who's been disgraced,
There's no freedom for the man with the hooded face.

Ha! Ha!

So now I've turned my life around, yeah. [acappella]
One, two. [spoken]

And I believed in the things that we said we'd do.
And I believed every day that she said "I do".
Don't ask me, I don't know,
I got a letter saying I'm "not the one".
There's a dream that I've held since I was a boy,
And I've held it like a child holds a brand-new toy.

So now I've turned my life around (around, around, around)
The "Dear John, I'm sorry" broke me down (me down, me down, me down)
Now I'm moving in the big time,
I'll be Hollywood's biggest brightest star,
But I still want you wherever you are.

I sold my life when I met you,
My friends knew I was lucky too.
What's going on? I don't know,
She wrote this letter that began "Dear John".
Save the dream that I've had since I was young,
Will fill my lonely days 'til the big time comes, yeah!

So now I've turned my life around (around, around, around)
The "Dear John, I'm sorry" broke me down (me down, me down, me down)
Now I'm moving in the big time,
I'll be Hollywood's biggest brightest star,
But I still want you wherever you are.

There's a peace when we're ready,
That lays in wait in our hearts.
When we breathe (when we breathe),
When we plead (when you plead).
When the anger's rage concedes
I feel no pain, don't feel pity,
I am alive and in the city.
There's a voice in my head and it's told me the score,
I've made up my mind: I won't cry anymore.

Don't ask me, I don't know.
She wrote a letter and now she's gone.
There's a dream that I had when I first met you,
I sacrificed my dream for a life with you, yeah!

So now I've turned my life around (around, around, around)
The "Dear John, I'm sorry" broke me down (me down, me down, me down)
Now I'm moving in the big time,
I'll be Hollywood's biggest brightest star,
But I still want you wherever you are.

So now I've turned my life around (around, around, around)
The "Dear John, I'm sorry" broke me down (me down, me down, me down)
Now I'm moving in the big time,
I'll be Hollywood's biggest brightest star,
But I still want you wherever you are.
But I still want you wherever you are.
But I still want you wherever you are.

Alex:	Mummy can I have a playground?    Jackie: Where am I gonna get it from?
Jake:	Mummy can I have a drink please?  Jackie: Sorry, there's none left.
Joella:	Where's Daddy?                    Jackie: Watching the telly again.

I've shed a tear after watching the news,
There's not enough water for those people without shoes.
Lots of people fighting, some for oil and some for land,
Gold and guns in the wrong people's hands.

There's not enough rainfall, too many people in a hole.
What do I know? It's getting worse every day.
The seasons are restless, so what can I do? I say
What do I know? I can't afford to be lame,
My pockets are empty and I'm out of a job again.

I'd like to water my roses, I'd like to wash my own truck.
I'd like to shop expensively but I guess I'm just out of luck.
I'd like to buy an old T-Bird, I'd like to buy some clean clothes.
I'd like to eat at good restaurants and go to West-End shows.

Everyday, when your dreams seem so far away, 
No money means no life for me.
On a desert day, when the rain seems a dream away,
No water means no life for me.

The hole in the ozone is letting in the rays,
It's getting bigger each second and is counting out our days.
Like a grape to a raisin we're being dried by the sun,
Even those who have money will have nowhere to run.

There's not enough rainfall, too many lives without a goal,
I guess we can wait to see what tomorrow brings,
We can only pray that tomorrow comes.

I'd like to clean all my windows, I'd like to refill my pool.
The hose-pipe ban will cramp my style, 
But I'll find a way to stay cool.
I'd like to have a good party, I think I'd be a good host.
I'd like to buy a peninsular and build a house on the coast.

How do I know that what I see on TV
Won't influence my judgement, 'cos I still believe I'm free?
What do I know? I've got my head in the sand,
I can't find the energy, I don't want to understand.

Everyday, when your dreams seem so far away, 
No money means no life for me.
On a desert day, when the rain seems a dream away,
No water means no life for me.

Everyday, when your dreams seem so far away, 
No money means no life for me.
On a desert day, when the rain seems a dream away,
No water means no life for me.

Additional musicians:

Lead guitar: Dennis Danzelman Rhythm guitar: Stuart Derrick Poor family: Jackie, Joey, Alex & Jake Butler

Tambourine: Steve Cooksey Drums: Tom Jamieson