If I only could deceive you
Forgetting the game
Every time I try to leave you
You laugh just the same
'Cause my wheels never touch the road
And the jumble of lies we told
Just returns to my back to weigh me down
We lay cards upon the table
The backs of our hands
And I swear I like your people
The boys in the band
Reminiscences gone astray
Coming back to enjoy the fray
In a tangle of night and daylight sounds
doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
doo doo doo doo
All completeness in the morning
Asleep on your side
I'll be waking up the crewmen
Banana-boat ride
She responds like limousine
Brought alive on the silent screen
To the shuddering breath of yesterday
There's the succor of the needy
Incredible scenes
I'll believe you in the future
Your life and death dreams
As the cavalry of despair
Takes a stand in the lady's hair
For the favor of making sweet sixteen
You make my life and times
A book of bluesy Saturdays
And I have to choose
Forgetting the game
Every time I try to leave you
You laugh just the same
'Cause my wheels never touch the road
And the jumble of lies we told
Just returns to my back to weigh me down
We lay cards upon the table
The backs of our hands
And I swear I like your people
The boys in the band
Reminiscences gone astray
Coming back to enjoy the fray
In a tangle of night and daylight sounds
doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
doo doo doo doo
All completeness in the morning
Asleep on your side
I'll be waking up the crewmen
Banana-boat ride
She responds like limousine
Brought alive on the silent screen
To the shuddering breath of yesterday
There's the succor of the needy
Incredible scenes
I'll believe you in the future
Your life and death dreams
As the cavalry of despair
Takes a stand in the lady's hair
For the favor of making sweet sixteen
You make my life and times
A book of bluesy Saturdays
And I have to choose
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to the shuddering breath of yesterday."
I think "she" refers to his own memory.
Could be?
I've never heard lyricist Richard Palmer-James give a full explanation of this song, but I have heard him say that "the book" was supposed to be a scrapbook or photo album of sorts, showing all the highs and lows of a long, complicated marriage or romantic experience.
The song is a sort of portrait of a relationship with a lot of big ups and downs. The man says he often thinks about leaving his love, but she doesn't take that seriously, because after all this time, he STILL hasn't ever gotten up the nerve to leave.
And just when he starts to think the relationship is doomed by all the lies and miscommunications between them, there will be a wonderful moment (like an early morning round of lovemaking) that makes him think they belong together after all.
The man is sifting through all his feelings and memories, as if he were going through a scrapbook, and trying to decide whether the relationship is worth saving.
Stay or go- he has to choose.