La Rossa Lyrics - Van Der Graaf Generator

Lacking sleep and food and vision 

Here I am again, encamped upon your floor, 

Craving sanctuary and nourishment, 

Encouragement and sanctity and more. 

The streets seemed very crowded, 

I put on my bravest guise 

I know you know that I am acting, 

I can see it in your eyes. 

In the harsh light of freedom I know 

That I cannot deny that I have wasted time, 

Have frittered it away in idle boasts 

Of my freedom and fidelity, 

When simpler words would have profited me 

Most 

It isn't enough in the end, when I'm looking 

For hope. 

Though the organ-monkey screams 

As the pipes begin to spit 

Still he'll go through the dance routines 

Just as long as he thinks they'll fit, 

Just as long as he knows that it's dance, smile- 

Or quit. 

Like the monkey I dance to a strange tune 

When all of these years I've longed to lie with you, 

I've bogged myself down in the web of talk, 

Quack philosophy and sophistry 

At physicality I've always balked, 

Like the man in the chair who believes it's 

Beyond him to walk. 

I've been hiding behind words, 

Fearing a deeper flame exists, 

Faintly aware of the passage 

Of opportunities I have missed. 

But the nearness and the smell of you, 

La Rossa from head to toe 

I don't know what I'm telling you, 

But I think you ought to know 

Soon the dam wall will break, soon the water 

Will flow. 

Though the organ-monkey groans 

As the organ-grinder plays 

He's hoping, at the most, 

For an end to his dancing days; 

Still he hops up and down on his perch 

In the usual jerky way. 

Though it might mean an end to all friendship 

There's something I'm working up to say. 

Think of me what you will; 

I know that you think you feel my pain 

No matter if that's just the surface. 

If we made love now would that change all 

That ahs gone before? 

Of course it would, there's no way it could ever 

Be the same 

One more line crossed, 

One more mystery explained. 

Now I need more than just words, though 

The options are plain that lead from all 

Momentary action. 

If we make love now it will change all 

That is yet to be 

Never could we agree in the same way again. 

One more world lost, 

One more heaven gained. 

La Rossa, you know me, you read me as though 

I am glass; 

Though I know it there's no no way in which I can 

Pass 

Though it means that you'll finish my story 

At last I'd trade all the clever talk, 

The joking, the smoking and the quips, 

All the midnight conversations, all the friendship, 

All the words and all the trips 

For the warmth of your body, 

The more vivid touch of your lips. 

All bridges burning behind me, 

All safety beyond reach, 

The monkey feels his chains out blindly, 

Only to find himself released.