We Used To Know [Jethro Tull - Stand Up 1969]

Whenever I get to feel this way
have to find new words to say
I think about the bad old days
we used to know

Nights of winter turn me cold 
fears of dying, getting old
we ran the race, the race was won
by running slowly

Could be soon we'll cease to sound
slowly upstairs, faster down
then to revisit stony grounds
we used to know

Remembering mornings, shillings spent
made no sense to leave the bed
the bad old days they came and went
giving way to fruitful years

Saving half the birds in hand
while in the bush the others land
take what we can before the man
says it's time to go

Each to his own way I'll go mine
best of luck with what you find
but for your own sake remember times
we used to know

We Used To Know (5823 kb)

Play In Time [Jethro Tull - Benefit 1970]

Got to take in what I can.
There is no time to do what must be done,
While I do some thinking.

Sleeping is hard to come by,
So we'll all sit down and try to play in time,
and we feel like singing.

Talking to people in my way.

Blues were my favorite colour,
til I looked around and found another song
that I felt like singing.

Trying so hard to reach you;
playing what must be played, what must be sung 
and it's what I'm singing.

Talking to people in my way

Play In Time (5461 kb)

Reasons For Waiting [Jethro Tull - Stand Up 1969]

What a sight for my eyes
to see you in sleep
could it stop the sun rise
hearing you weep?
you're not seen, you're not heard
but I stand by my word
came a thousand miles
just to catch you while
you're smiling

What a day for laughter
and walking at night
me following after
your hand holding tight
and the memory stays clear
with a song that you will hear
if I can but make
the words awake
the feeling

What a reason for waiting
and dreaming of dreams
so here's hoping you've faith in
impossible schemes
that are born in the sigh
of the wind blowing by
while the dimming light
brings the end to a night
of loving

Reasons For Waiting (5939 kb)

Wond'ring Again [Jethro Tull - Living In The Past 1972]

There's the stillness of death on a deathly unliving sea
and the motor car magical world long since ceased to be
when the eve bitten apple returned to destroy in a tree
incestuous ancestry's charabanc ride
spawning new millions, throws the world on its side
supporting their far-flung illusion, the national curse
and those with no sandwiches
please get off the bus

The excrement bubbles, the century's slime decays
and the brainwashing government lackeys would have us say
it's under control and we'll soon be on our way
to a grand year for babies and quiz panel games
of the hot hungry millions you'll be sure to remain
the natural resources are dwinding and no one grows old
and those with no homes to go to
please dig yourself holes

We wandered through quiet lands
felt the first breath of snow
searched for the last pigeon
slate gray I've been told
stumbled on a daffodil
which she crushed
in the rush
heard it sigh
and left it to die

At once felt remorse and were touched by the loss of our own
held its poor broken head in her hands
dropped soft tears in the snow
and it's only the taking that makes you what you are

wondering aloud
will a son one day be born
to share in our infancy
in the child's path we've worn
in the aging seclusion
of this earth
that our birth
did surprise
we'll open his eyes

Wond'ring Again (6177 kb)

Christmas Song [Jethro Tull - Living In The Past 1972]

Once in Royal David's city
stood a lowly cattle shed
where a mother held her baby
you'd do well to remember
the things he later said.

When you're stuffing yourselves
at the Christmas parties
you'll just laugh when I tell you to
take a running jump.
You're missing the point
I'm sure does not need making
that Christmas spirit is
not what you drink.

So how can you laugh
when you're own mother's hungry?
And how can you smile
when the reason's for smiling are wrong?
And if I've just messed up
your thoughtless pleasures
remember if you wish
this is just a Christmas song.

[Hey, Santa -- pass us that bottle, will you?]

Christmas Song (4428 kb)