cs2_blind

Genesis - Nursery Cryme - 1971

The Musical Box is a succesfull attemp to twist upper middle class clichés into surreal and sinister scenarios. The meaning of the song is only half-suggested by the lyrics, and needed introductory narration which is printed inside the gatefold sleeve:

'While Henry Hamilton-Smythe minor (8) was playing croquet with Cynthia Jane De Blaise-William (9), sweet-smiling Cynthia raised her mallet high and gracefully removed Henry's head.
Two weeks later, in Henry's nursery, she discovered his treasured musical box. Eagerly she opened it and as "Old King Cole" began to play, a small spirit-figure appeared. Henry had returned - but not for long, for as he stood in the room his body began ageing rapidly, leaving a child's mind inside. A lifetime's desires surged through him. Unfortunately the attempt to persuade Cynthia Jane to fulfill his romantic desire led his nurse to the nursery to investigate the noise. Instinctively Nanny hurled the musical box at the bearded child, destroying both.'

Lyrics

Play me Old King Cole
That I may join with you
All your hearts now seem so far from me
It hardly seems to matter now

And the nurse will tell you lies
Of a kingdom beyond the skies
But I am lost within this half-world
It hardly seems to matter now

Play me my song
Here it comes again
Play me my song
Here it comes again

Just a little bit
Just a little bit more time
Time left to live out my life

Play me my song
Here it comes again
Play me my song
Here it comes again

Old King Cole was a merry old soul
And a merry old soul was he
So he called for his pipe
And he called for his bowl
And he called for his fiddlers three

But the clock, tick-tock
On the mantelpiece
And I want, and I feel, and I know, and I touch
Her warmth

She's a lady, she's got time
Brush back your hair, and let me get to know your face
She's a lady, she is mine
Brush back your hair, and let me get to know your flesh

I've been waiting here for so long
And all this time has passed me by
It doesn't seem to matter now
You stand there with your fixed expression

Casting doubt on all I have to say
Why don't you touch me, touch me?
Why don't you touch me, touch me?
Touch me now, now, now, now, now