The Old School Tie by Peter Hammill Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Oh, the bright young men in their tight-buttoned suits:
Yeah, the light beams out from capped smiles
To the shines on their lick-spittle boots
On their lick-spittle boots
Oh, these sharp young sparks with their fresh rosettes –
Yeah, the artful way that they promise the earth to all suffragettes
What they won't promise we don't know yet
[Chorus 1]
They say they're build- and shaping society
But we know they're just saving for their own
(Safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
Anything goes: look at them run
[Verse 2]
Come from every side, noses Pinocchio clean;
Lock in synchromesh
Oil the wheels and the gears of the party machine
Of the party machine
And the final goal (The final goal) is a cabinet seat... (Is a cabinet seat) In the trappings of power
The presumption to speak for the man in the street
For the man in the street
[Chorus 2]
Once they move in, they're in for good;
Yeah, once they get that bed made
It's a (Safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
Jobs for the boys: look at them run
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 3]
Yeah, there's just one thing (There's just one thing) none of us should forget (None of us should forget):
A political man is just in it for power and the smell of success
For power and the smell of success
[Chorus 3]
Yeah, some start out as idealists –
Pretty soon they all cop for ideal careers
And a (Safe home) in politics
A safe home in politics
A cushy job in politics
A cushy job in politics;
Oh, look at them run
[Chorus 4]
Politicians fight it out on the conning tower
But they all agree not to rock the boat
It's a (Safe home) in politics (It's built on your vote)
(A safe home) in politics (It's built on your vote)
(A safe home) in politics (It's built on your vote)
(A safe home) in politics (It's built on your vote)
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
Oh, the bright young men in their tight-buttoned suits:
Yeah, the light beams out from capped smiles
To the shines on their lick-spittle boots
On their lick-spittle boots
Oh, these sharp young sparks with their fresh rosettes –
Yeah, the artful way that they promise the earth to all suffragettes
What they won't promise we don't know yet
[Chorus 1]
They say they're build- and shaping society
But we know they're just saving for their own
(Safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
Anything goes: look at them run
[Verse 2]
Come from every side, noses Pinocchio clean;
Lock in synchromesh
Oil the wheels and the gears of the party machine
Of the party machine
And the final goal (The final goal) is a cabinet seat... (Is a cabinet seat) In the trappings of power
The presumption to speak for the man in the street
For the man in the street
[Chorus 2]
Once they move in, they're in for good;
Yeah, once they get that bed made
It's a (Safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
Jobs for the boys: look at them run
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 3]
Yeah, there's just one thing (There's just one thing) none of us should forget (None of us should forget):
A political man is just in it for power and the smell of success
For power and the smell of success
[Chorus 3]
Yeah, some start out as idealists –
Pretty soon they all cop for ideal careers
And a (Safe home) in politics
A safe home in politics
A cushy job in politics
A cushy job in politics;
Oh, look at them run
[Chorus 4]
Politicians fight it out on the conning tower
But they all agree not to rock the boat
It's a (Safe home) in politics (It's built on your vote)
(A safe home) in politics (It's built on your vote)
(A safe home) in politics (It's built on your vote)
(A safe home) in politics (It's built on your vote)
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics
(A safe home) in politics