Lyric The Sinking Ship, The Grand Applause

Grandfather burned up to ash and returned to the earth which spawned
This nefarious prank that s controlled by the length of his arms
And the kindred is gathered by coffin and chaplain on his behalf
And a discreet tender man clears his throat, waves his hand following a laugh
And the band plays on

Like a fat baby s birth like a cry and curse at the breathing space
While the mother rejoices ten fingers ten toes and a handsome face
And the family is gasping each one can t help asking, “How was it my dear?”
Like a scorn for the born that was torn
And deformed for the next cruel years
And the band plays on

So I ll cut you all open and see what s inside you or what s missing
While this virgin your daughter skirt down the altar
She don t owe you a goddamn thing
Cause she s gorgeous I ll take her to the house by the lake where I write her a song
While you fat pigs with call-girls
They dance in the ballrooms shaking their wallets at god
And the notes fill the pages as I scramble to paste up my bleeding heart
And this sick song moves on if you re lucky lifelong you can sing a part
As it falls apart