The Short Answer by Billy Bragg

The Short Answer Lyrics

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Between marx and marzipan in the dictionary there was mary
Between the deep blue sea and the devil that was me
If ever anyone could help me with my obsession with
The young suzannah york
It was mary

In my pink pyjamas she asked me for something
I gave her the short answer
She read our stars out loud
And I knew then that we should have gone sailing
But we stayed home instead
Fighting on the waterbed
Like the honeymoon couple on drugs
Me and mary

What happened in the past
Remained a mystery of natural history
She should have been the last
But she was just the latest
If she wanted to be a farmers wife
I would endure that muddy life
I would dig for victory

And the sound of happy couples
Coupling happily in the dark
While you and I sat down to tea
I remember you said to me
That no amount of poetry
Would mend this broken heart
But you can put the hoover round
If you want to make a start

All my friends from school
Introduce me to their spouses
While Im left standing here
With my hands down the front of my trousers
I just dont know whats to be done
I wonder sometimes how did dad meet mum
And how did they conceive of me
Tell my mary

The boys who came to the shop
Always made her laugh much more than I did
When I told her this must stop
She didnt bat an eyelid
She said you know honey its such a shame
Youll never be any good at this game
You bruise too easily
So said mary

Her two brothers took me out
Of circulation for the duration
So we went our separate ways but does she still love me
She still has my door key
Like a bully boy in a benetton shop
Youre never happy with what youve got
Till what youve got is gone
Sorry mary
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Lyrics

The Short Answer Lyrics

Between marx and marzipan in the dictionary there was mary
Between the deep blue sea and the devil that was me
If ever anyone could help me with my obsession with
The young suzannah york
It was mary

In my pink pyjamas she asked me for something
I gave her the short answer
She read our stars out loud
And I knew then that we should have gone sailing
full lyrics

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billy bragg the short answer Live In Session On KCRW 2008