Jokerman (Infidels Alternate Take)

[Verse 1]

Standing on the waters casting your bread

While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing

Distant ships sailing into the mist

You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing

Freedom just around the corner for you

But with the truth so far off, what good will it do?

[Chorus]

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune

Bird fly high by the light of the moon

Oh, oh-oh Jokerman

[Verse 2]

So swiftly the sun sets in the sky

You rise up and say goodbye to no one

No store bought shirt for you on your back

One of the women must sit in the shack and sew one

Shedding off one more layer of skin

Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within

[Chorus]

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune

Bird fly high by the light of the moon

Oh, oh-oh Jokerman

[Verse 3]

You're a man of the mountains, you can walk on the clouds

Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister

You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah, but what do you care?

Ain't nobody there would want to marry your sister

Scratching the world with a fine-toothed comb

You're a king among nations, you're a stranger at home

[Chorus]

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune

Bird fly high by the light of the moon

Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

[Verse 4]

Now, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy

The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers

No crystal ball do you need on your shelf

Michelangelo himself, could've carved out your features

So drunk, standing in the middle of the street

Directing traffic with a small dog licking your feet

[Chorus]

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune

Bird fly high by the light of the moon

Oh, oh-oh Jokerman

[Verse 5]

Well, the preacher man talking about the deaf and the dumb

And a world to come, thats already been pre-determined

Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, and padlocks

Molotov cocktails and rocks can't drown out his sermon

You let the wicked walk right into a trap

You give away all the good things that fall in your lap

[Chorus]

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune

Bird fly high by the light of the moon

Oh, oh-oh Jokerman

[Verse 6]

It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray

A woman just give birth to a prince today and she's dressed in scarlet

He'll turn priests into pimps and make old men bark

Take a woman who could have been Joan-of-Arc and turn her into a harlot

Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants

Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response

[Chorus]

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune

Bird fly high by the light of the moon

Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman