A Quick One While He's Away Lyrics
For nearly a year
He was due home yesterday
But he ain't here
For nigh on a year
He was due home yesterday
But he ain't here
Your street is very well known, right here in town
Your town is very famous for the little girl
Whose cries can be heard all around the world
Fa la la la la
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la
You'll appreciate
No need to be so sad
He's only late
Help pass your time
We'll give him eagle's wings
Then he can fly to you
Fa la la la la
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la la
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy.
We have!
I'm gonna make you feel all right
I'm an engine driver
I know why you feel blue
Just 'cause he's late
Don't mean he'll never get through
He ain't no liar, I ain't either
So let's have a smile for an old engine driver
So let's have a smile for an old engine driver
Come take a walk with me
We'll sort it out
Back at my place, maybe
You ain't no fool, I ain't either
So why not be nice to an old engine driver?
Better be nice to an old engine driver
Better be nice to an old engine driver
We'll soon be home
We'll soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home
We'll soon be home
We'll soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home
Soon be home
Soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home
We'll soon, soon, soon be home
Soon be home ...
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
Do my eyes deceive me?
Am I back in your arms?
Away from all harm?
Can't believe that I'm with you again
I kissed a few and once did sit
On Ivor the Engine Driver's lap
And later with him, had a nap
I know exactly what this song means.
It tells the story of a young girl whose boyfriend or husband has been gone for "nigh on a year". She is very sad about this and her friends come up with a remedy to fix her problem. They hire Ivor the Engine Driver to have sex with her. The husband comes back and catches the two having sex. The little girl confesses and is forgiven. There, I said it.
Woman: "Pete, I've heard alot about you and the group taking drugs. Does this mean you're blocked up on stage?"
Pete: "No, it means I'm blocked up all the time."
the live at leeds version is the best most definately.
the story about the song can be heard at the end of "i'm a boy" on live at leeds. pretty thorough and funny explanation.
i love john's bass playin/singing in the live at leeds. must hear for who fans.
its a great rock opera song... keith moon has a great rhythm..
This song is basically about a lady having an affair while her husband is away. He's been gone for a long time and she's sad & lonely and since he's late, why not just rendezvous with Ivor the Engine Driver? That will cheer her up... Then her husband returns. Dang it. She fesses up. But he's a very forgiving guy, and they live happily ever after. The end.
Wow, what a fantastic literal interpretion. Really. Read the comments above directly from the writer of the song, Pete Townshend. The song is about child abuse.
Wow, what a fantastic literal interpretion. Really. Read the comments above directly from the writer of the song, Pete Townshend. The song is about child abuse.
I think this song is kind of about Tommy's mom. I mean, Tommy's dad never returned but still it sounds a lot like Mrs. Walker to me. Also, it was recorded about 3 years before Tommy came out, so I feel like it was an experiment before the big concept album that Tommy is.
No comments? This is one of the most influential rocks songs of all time and got the ball rolling on what would become Tommy. The version in The Kids are Alright is amazing.
I love this song, the version in The Kids Are Alright is great, excellent footage from the Rolling Stones' Rock n Roll Circus!
I'm a big fan of the version used in the film Rushmore, and the album version (from A Quick One) is pretty solid as well.
Fantastic song. I love the story it tells, and the fact that The Who sang "cello, cello" instead of actually using cellos (I think a depleting budget had something to do with it) adds another quirky touch to the song.
If you love The Who you HAVE to buy the Kids Are Alright DVD and see this song perfomed. WOW! They were supposed to air the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus performance on T.V, but they didn't cause The Who showed up the Rolling Stones and made them look bad. Its on the commentary on the DVD.
Unbelievable song one of The Who's best. And the Rushmore soundtrack version is the Rock and Roll Circus version. I bought the Rushmore soundtrack just for this song.
I love this...one of Pete's first rock operas and influenced recent music...there are two tracks on the American Idiot album by Green Day that are kinda like this, a bunch of different melodies smashed in one track.
Awesome song/story. Love it!