Jokerman

Standin' on the waters, castin' your bread

While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowin'

Distant ships sailin' into the mist

You were born with a snake in both of your fists

While a hurricane was blowing

Freedom just around the corner for you

But with the truth so far off, what good will it do?

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune

Bird fly high by the light of the moon

Ohh, ohh, jokerman

So swiftly the sun sets in the sky

You rise up and say goodbye to no one

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread

Both of their futures, so full of dread

You don't show one

Sheddin' off one more layer of skin

Keepin' one step ahead of the persecutor within

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune

Bird fly high by the light of the moon

Ohh, ohh, jokerman

You're a man of the mountains

You can walk on the clouds

Manipulator of crowds

You're a dream twister

You're goin' to Sodom and Gomorrah

But what do you care?

Ain't nobody there

Would want to marry your sister?

Friend to the martyr

A friend to the woman of shame

You look into the fiery furnace

See the rich man without any name

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune

Bird fly high by the light of the moon

Ohh, ohh, jokerman

Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy

The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers

In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed

Michelangelo indeed could've carved out your features

Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space

Half asleep near the stars

With a small dog licking your face

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune

Bird fly high by the light of the moon

Ohh, ohh, jokerman

Well, the rifleman's stalkin' the sick and the lame

Preacher man seeks the same

Who'll get there first is uncertain

Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks

Molotov cocktails and rocks behind every curtain

False hearted judges

Dying in the webs that they spin

Only a matter of time

'Til night comes steppin' in

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune

Bird fly high by the light of the moon

Ohh, ohh, jokerman

It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray

A woman just gave birth to a prince today

And dressed him in scarlet

He'll put the priest in his pocket

Put the blade to the heat

Take the motherless children off the street

And place them at the feet of a harlot

Oh, jokerman, you know what he wants

Oh, jokerman, you don't show any response

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune

Bird fly high by the light of the moon

Ohh, ohh, jokerman