CONSOLIDATED CONSOLE  LYRICS

CONSOLIDATED CONSOLES!

Pledge your hearts, and dedicate your souls,
And consecrate your lives to: CONSOLIDATED CONSOLES!

FORTUNE

F – O – R ….. T – U – N – E!   —- F – O – R ….. T – U – N – E!
For–tune!  —- For—tune!  For—tune!
FORTUNE!  FORTUNE!  FORTUNE!

What do we stake our lives upon?  A FORTUNE!
What do we want as the years go on?  A FORTUNE!

How do we measure?  How do we test?  —
How do we know which one’s the best?
THE ONE, WHO HAS THE BIGGEST – FORTUNE!  —  FORTUNE!
THE BIGGEST FORTUNE!

Me?  I’d do it for a FORTUNE!
A modest, ordinary FORTUNE!
An ulcer here, a headache there –
and hearing footsteps everywhere
And losing sleep for one step higher,
and then one more, and then retire …
I’d only do it for a FORTUNE!

What makes a human dance and hop?  (A FORTUNE!)  —
And fight his friends, up to the top?  (A FORTUNE!)

I foul the air with my big cigar!  —
I drive the biggest, wildest car!  —
Take every girl, in every bar!
I’VE GOT THE BIGGEST – FORTUNE!

I’d only do it for a FORTUNE!  —
And then, another, bigger FORTUNE!
Dollars, diamonds, silver, gold –
and everything to have and hold
And leave this job at thirty-six –
to step up into politics!
I’d only do it for a FORTUNE!

What makes a girl dress every day, (A FORTUNE!) –
Like she was starring in a play?  ( A FORTUNE!)
<The false parade, without a band –
Just lonely reaching for your hand –
Another need – another burn –
Another leaves – not to return –
THE MAN, WHO HAS THE BIGGEST – FORTUNE

But me, I’d do it for a FORTUNE! –
Or just, to be near to a FORTUNE!
A plush apartment, jewels, clothes –
and others giving more than those,
And dances, festivals, and such –
that come and go, but mean so much
I’d only do it for a FORTUNE!

(I don’t give a damn about a FORTUNE!)  —  (NO FORTUNE?)
(I can live a little better with no FORTUNE!)  —  (NO FORTUNE?)
(I just live to look on beauty, and to gather what I can …
And sing the simple phrases of the self-reliant man …)

But me, I’d do it for a FORTUNE!
I’d only do it for a FORTUNE!
FORTUNE!  FORTUNE!   FORTUNE!

JOE NOBODY

Joe Nobody – Joe Who?
Joe Average – Joe Schmoo!
Joe “Little Man”  — Joe Bean
Joe “Whats-his-name” – Joe Mean

I just live to look on beauty, and to gather what I can
And sing the simple phrases of the self-reliant man

I live to find a smile each day, in every face I see
And help the smile to happen, when it doesn’t want to be

I live to see the sun arise, the city come alive
And thrive until the sun recedes into its golden dive

I live to look on beauty, and to gather what I can
And sing the simple phrases of the self-reliant man

Joe Nobody – Joe Who?
Joe’s laughing at you!
Joe doesn’t glow in the corporate dance – but
Joe takes his own stance!  Joe wears his own pants!

I live to see a flower bloom, and flourish in the rain
And sleep beneath a coat of snow, and bloom next year again

I live to hear a child’s first cry, and listen to the tone
As he matures and tells the world, he’ll make it on his own

I live to look on beauty, and to gather what I can
And sing the simple phrases of the self-reliant man

I live to look for beauty, and to find it everywhere
And when I find it missing, I live to bring it there

And maybe someday soon, I’ll find, what still I’ve yet to see …
A beauty far away, who’s looking for someone like me

Joe Nobody?  Joe Who? …
No, Joe doesn’t glow in the corporate dance
But give Joe the chance – Joe wears his own pants –
give Joe the chance

I just live to look on beauty, and to gather what I can
And sing the simple phrases of the self-reliant man

I DON’T WANT TO GO TO NEW YORK!

I don’t want to – go to New York!
I don’t want to – stay home after dark!
I don’t wanna get mugged in Central Park!
I don’t wanna go – I don’t wanna go –
I don’t wanna go to New York!

I don’t wanna have fun in “Fun City”
The crowds are too large, and the streets aren’t pretty
The prices are high and the taxes a pity
I don’t wanna go – I don’t wanna go –
I don’t wanna go to New York!

The dogs are too many, and the shovels too few
And the streets don’t glisten with morning dew
And they rip you off, when you ride a bike
To beat the cab, and garbage, and subway strike!

I don’t wanna go – I don’t wanna go –
I don’t wanna go to New York!

I don’t want to go to New York
I don’t want to – stay home after dark!
I don’t wanna get mugged in Central Park!
I don’t wanna go – I don’t wanna go –
I don’t wanna go to New York!

I can’t wait for hours on the Long Island Line
I can’t have an acre that I call just mine
I’d like to go, but things would just get worse
I can’t go until I get my fortune first

I don’t wanna go – I don’t wanna go –
I don’t wanna go to New York!

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations, you son of a bitch!
You made a good move, and you’re gonna be rich!
Somebody swallowed your SuperSales pitch …
Congratulations, you son of a bitch!

Congratulations, your star’s on the rise
Now we all know you’re uncanny and wise
Who couldn’t see through your flimsy disguise
Congratulations, your stars on the rise

Congratulations, and good luck, my friend
May your success and good luck never end
You’re climbing the ladder, may you never stop
They gave you a ticket way up to the top
Congratulations, you hippity-hop

Congratulations, and good luck, my friend

I LIKE IT BEST WHERE I AM

Some think with their head – some think with their heart
Some think with their body – then fall apart

Some cry without pain – some laugh without joy
Some fear – every shadow that’s near
But I play with life, like a toy

I know where I come from – I know where I’m going
The summer may steam, and the winter be snowing

Some wear rose-colored glasses —
Some just sit back on their asses
Some move as slow as molasses
Some slowly fade as they watch the parade
But I’m the one nobody passes

I like it best where I am every day
I find a challenge and do it my way
It’s when? – it’s not whether? – I’ve got it together
I’ll be the star of this play

I do my thing in my own special way
Hell bent for leather!  I’ve got it together
And I’ll be the star of this play

Some people work all the time –
some people want to ride free
Some people ramble, and some people gamble,
Some people – but not me

I can do anything – I can go anywhere –
I can play any game – and I’ll make the rules fair
Everything will be fine – as long as I’m there

I can reach for the moon – I can’t wait until spring
It won’t be too soon, when I’ve got everything
I can meet any worldly or personal goal
I’m alive – and I’m in control!

Some people need to be warm –
some people need to be cold
Some don’t like being too young –
others can’t stand being old
Some people travel, until they unravel,
but I like it just where I am

I like it best where I am every day
I find a challenge and do it my way
It’s when? – it’s not whether? –
I’ve got it together
I’ll be the star of this play

AFTER HOURS, MR. SILVER

(Consolidated Consoles – please hold …)
(Yes, Charlie, you’re next in the queue …)
(Consolidated Consoles – please hold …)
(I told you, Mike, you’ll have it this afternoon …)
(Consolidated Consoles – please hold …)

It’s busy as hell – I’m never free
Here, there is no liberty
But with all of the hustle and bustle I see
All of the calls are for me

After hours, Mr. Silver!  After hours, Mr. Gold!
A lady must be careful, so I’m told!
After hours Mr. Jones!  After hours, Mr. Smith!
A lady must be careful, whom she’s with!

After hours, Mr. Lyons!  After hours, Mr. Bear!
A lady must have something good to share!
After hours, Mr. Thunder!  After hours, Mr. Brains!
A lady has to save for when it rains!

A lady mustn’t hope for, the guy she would elope for
She must not even think he’s Mr. Right
A lady musn’t mention, it’s her deepest, true intention
That he should stay more than one night

After hours, Mr. Chutzpah!  After hours, Mr. Meek!
A lady must be careful, whom to seek!
After hours Mr. Purple!  After hours, Mr. Blue!
Sometimes I just don’t know – what’s a lady to do?

A lady mustn’t live for, the things he’s apt to give for
The portion of his wealth, he’s apt to spend
She mustn’t show disheartment when –
he leaves her small apartment …
And says he’s going to recommend a friend!

After hours, Mr. Silver!  After hours, Mr. Gold!
A lady must be careful, so I’m told!

THIRTY

(Twenty) … When you were twenty,
your eyes were open, and there were plenty
Of men to take you out,
and discuss what life’s about
They’d try so hard to please you,
and flirt with you, and tease you,
take every chance to seize you
And promise every thing
They’d fight their favorite brother,
and leave their lovely mother –
they wouldn’t let no other,
Get close enough to sing

Days were warm and dreamy –
nights were hot and steamy
The thrills, the joy, the laughter –
each day was “ever after” …

Why did it pass?
The diamonds turned to glass –
why did it have to pass – so fast?

You should have known while in it –
the magic every minute – wouldn’t last
And the diamonds turned to glass –
why did it have to pass – so fast?

(Thirty) … Now, when you’re turning thirty –
it feels so doggone dirty …
The fellas are getting older –
they start to acting bolder
They haven’t need to tease you –
they don’t care if they please you
Just take her home, and bed her –
don’t take the time to pet her –
just treat her like a setter –
Then try a double header –
then leave and try to shed her —
but never, never let her,
Talk about tomorrow…
I’m thirty, and single, and so full of sorrow …

The diamonds turned to glass –
and the gold all turned to brass –
the meat loaf turned to gas
And shadows crossed the moon,
and lunatics played the tune –
why did it have to pass – so fast?

The men of yesterday
are grown old, and turning gray –
they don’t try hard to win it –
they only want a minute
They leave a little present,
but treat you like a peasant – in a cage
They can’t see into sorrow,
or talk about tomorrow – at this stage

They give you gifts aplenty –
but you wish you were still twenty,
And you’d settle for a promise, or a dream
You take yourself to task for –
the things that you don’t ask for –
and you know things are not what they seem

The spirit is dejected, just knowing what’s expected,
takes away the glamour and the thrill
He takes you out and dines you,
then brings you home and wines you,
and all the time he’s thinking of the kill
You think he won’t deceive you,
He won’t put you down and leave you,
but then he’ll ask you – “Did you take your pill?”
It’s not that I don’t have a chance –
it’s just, I missed … the mating dance!

He doesn’t even woo you –
he only does it to you …
You know you were elected, but the spirit has defected,
from knowing what’s expected – every time
He doesn’t know it’s mental –
a feeling, fond and gentle –
but you’re feeling like a rental –
when you should be feeling prime…

(Forty) … But … when you’re turning forty,
it’s just a hell of a party … a hell of a hell of a party …
You know there are no bargains,
so you choose your favorite targets

When you’re turning forty,
it’s one hell of a hell of a party –
You won’t be around forever,
so you have to be more clever
And if nobody loves you –
you won’t let them shove you
And maybe you’re admittin’,
your best friend is your kitten

You’re not twenty, there’s not plenty –
you’re not thirty, it’s not dirty
You’re forty – and it’s just – one – hell – of a party!

Copyright 1986 George Comeaux

THE SHADOW KNOWS

Twilight descends on the everyday tasks
Workers emerge from their everyday masks
Searching for something they lost in the day
Looking for love, in their own private way

Some will be different, some still the same
Playing their desperate happiness game
Which is the wildflower? Which is the rose?
Only the Shadow knows

The wind takes the secret wherever it blows
But only the Shadow, stays there and knows
Only the Shadow knows

Come trade in your spirit to open new doors
And leave your old friendships for more golden shores
Come earn a big fortune and all it can give
Come buy everything except time left to live

The river reveals to the sea where it flows
But only the Shadow, stays there and knows
Only the Shadow knows

Come climb up the ladder, as high as you can
Passing the clouds, and still chasing the plan
Keeping eyes open for rivals behind
Assembling the pieces, but not peace of mind

The fire warms the air ‘til its last ember glows
But only the Shadow, stays there and knows
Only the Shadow knows

“Come be mine forever – at least, for a while …
Until I can find a more sensual smile …
I’ll stay by your side until death do us part …
Unless I can find a more generous heart”

The earth gives its life to each plant that grows
But only the Shadow, stays there and knows
Only the Shadow knows

The earth and the fire, the wind and the sea
Observe from a distance, how things come to be
And speak not of feelings, just actions, just prose
But only the Shadow, really knows
Only the Shadow knows

Which is the wildflower? Which is the rose?
Only the Shadow knows

Copyright 1978 George Comeaux