Wednesday, February 25, 1970

Us

Written by: regina spektor

Available Recordings: Click to view

Lyrics (from the Soviet Kitsch liner notes):
They made a statue of us
and put it on a mountain top
now tourists come and stare at us
blow bubbles with their gum
take photographs have fun
have fun

they'll name a city after us
and later say it's all our fault
then they'll give us a talking to
then they'll give us a talking to
cause they've got years of experience

We're living in a den of thieves
rummaging for answers in the pages
We're living in a den of thieves
and it's contagious
and it's contagious

We wear our scarves just like a noose
but not cause we want eternal sleep
and though our parts are slightly used
new ones are slave labor you can keep

We're living in a den of thieves
rummaging for answers in the pages
We're living in a den of thieves
and it's contagious
and it's contagious
it's contagious
it's contagious

They made a statue of us
they made a statue of us
the tourists come and stare at us
the sculptor's mama sends regards
They made a statue of us
they made a statue of us
Our noses have begun to rust

We're living in a den of thieves rummaging for answers in the pages
We're living in a den of thieves
and it's contagious
and it's contagious
it's contagious, it's contagious
it's contagious
it's contagious
it's contagious
it's contagious

Sunday, February 15, 1970

The Virgin Queen

Written by: regina spektor

Available Recordings: Click to view

Lyrics (fan transcription):
men who would shoot their
horses are the
same men who would
like to kiss your hand
(??)
men who shoot their
horses are the
same men who will
draw and shoot your friend
(??)

the virgin queen...

headless (mother?)
heartless (?)
ghosts of yes men past and future
in the bedroom you would suture
up that hole
where babies come from
england, oh, england
never forsake me
won't you take me to have and to hold
i may be a cruel, crude woman
but in the distance i hear shakespeare mumbling

whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer
the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
or to take arms against the sea of troubles...

england, england, never forsake me
won't you take me to have and to hold
i can hear the voices rising up

the virgin queen...

(??)
you try to rule
as best as you can
but the crown gets cold
(??)
on the distant shores new voices are rising...
(??)

Thursday, February 05, 1970

The Wallet

Written by: regina spektor

Available Recordings: Click to view

Lyrics (fan transcription):
I found a wallet
I found a wallet
inside were pictures of your small family
you were so young
your hair dark brown
you had been born in nineteen fifty-three

your winter birthday
was stamped on the plastic
of a license so recently expired
I was so tired
as I walked through my door
I laid all the contents of your wallet on the floor

and like a holy relic
or a mystery novel
I thumbed them in the dim light
searching for a clue
a blockbuster card
an old stick of juicy fruit
a crumpled receipt
for a pair of leather boots

I have no wallet
I have no wallet
I keep my cards together with a blue rubber band
and with a free hand
I search in my pockets
for pieces of, pieces of paper and change

I'll take your wallet
to my local blockbuster
they'll find your number
in their computer
you'll never know me
I'll never know you
but you'll be so happy
when they call you up