A Quick One While He's Away

The Who

Her man's been gone
For nigh on a year
He was due home yesterday
But he ain't here

Her man's been gone
For nigh on a year
He was due home yesterday
But he ain't here

Down your street your crying is a well-known sound
Your street is very well known throughout town
Your town is very famous for the little girl
Whose crying can be heard all around the world

We have a remedy
You'll appreciate
No need to feel so bad
He's only late

We'll bring you flowers and things
Help pass your time
We'll give him eagle's wings
Then he can fly to you

Fa la la la la la
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

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!
Little girl guide, why don't you stop your crying?
Here comes Ivor the Engine Driver to make you feel much better

(Dirty old sod)
(I say, steady on)

My name is Ivor
I'm an engine driver

I know him well
I know why you feel blue
Just 'cause he's late
Don't mean he'll never get through

He told me he loves you
He ain't no liar, I ain't either
So let's have a smile for an old engine driver
Let's have a smile for an old engine driver

Here he comes

Soon be home
Soon be home
We'll soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home

We'll soon be home
Soon be home
We'll soon
We'll soon, soon, soon be home

Come on, old horse

We'll soon be home
Soon be home

Dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang

Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello, cello

I can't believe it
Do my eyes deceive me?
Am I back in your arms?
Away from all harm?

It's like a dream to be with you again
Can't believe that I'm with you again

I missed you and I must admit
I kissed a few and once did sit
On Ivor the Engine Driver's lap
And later with him, had a nap

You are forgiven (you are forgiven)
You are forgiven (you are forgiven)
You are forgiven (you are forgiven)
You are forgiven (you are forgiven)
Forgiven (you are forgiven)
Forgiven
Forgiven (forgiven), forgiven (forgiven)
Forgiven (forgiven), forgiven (forgiven)
Forgiven (forgiven), forgiven (forgiven)
Forgiven (forgiven), forgiven (forgiven)
Forgiven

You are forgiven
You are forgiven
Forgiven
You are forgiven

You are forgiven, baby
Forgiven (forgiven), forgiven (forgiven)
Forgiven (forgiven), forgiven (forgiven)
Forgiven (forgiven), forgiven (forgiven)

Oh you're forgiven
You are forgiven
Baby, forgiven

You are forgiven
Oh you're forgiven
You are forgiven
Forgiven, forgiven
Forgiven, forgiven
Forgiven (forgiven), forgiven (forgiven)
Forgiven (forgiven), forgiven (forgiven)
No more, babe
We're all forgiven


Lyrics submitted by oofus

A Quick One, While He's Away Lyrics as written by Peter Townshend

Lyrics © T.R.O. INC.

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A Quick One While He's Away song meanings
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28 Comments

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  • +1
    General Commentthe 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.
    cosmicjiveon March 07, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Commentits a great rock opera song... keith moon has a great rhythm..
    pinball_wizardon May 08, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentNo 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.
    Flinchy17on October 13, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI love this song, the version in The Kids Are Alright is great, excellent footage from the Rolling Stones' Rock n Roll Circus!
    whofreak777on November 21, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI'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.
    rushmore_8on November 23, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIf 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.
    timmybighandson February 19, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI 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!
    guitaresson February 19, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentActually I just got the Rusmore soundtrack and it IS NOT the version from rock and roll circus sorry about that.

    I don't know where to get that version of the song on CD except the Kids are alright soundtrack and I heard the quality of that CD is not that good.
    timmybighandson February 26, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentOk I was able to extract the audio of this song from the DVD I own and convert it to MP3. Took me forever to figure out how to do it. But I have the best version in MP3 form it is about ten and half meg in size. If anyone wants it I might post it on the net or email it. If you would like it you can email me at timmybighands@hotpop.com

    The quality is very good a minor skip right at the beginning of the song, but other then that very good. It is 192bit rate.
    timmybighandson March 02, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentAmazing, Amazing song.

    Keith Moon's drumming during the introduction and conclusion of 'Ivor the Engine Driver' could quite possibly be one of the best individual musical performances I've ever heard. Simply Incredible.
    Minyaon March 22, 2005   Link

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