Arthur was born just a plain simple man
In a plain simple working class position
Though the world was hard and it’s ways were set
He was young and he had so much ambition
All the way he was overtaken
By the people who make the big decisions
But he tried and he tried for a better life
And a way to improve his own condition
If only life were easy it would be such fun
Things would be more equal and be plenty for everyone
Arthur the world’s gone and passed you by
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
You can cry, cry all night but it won’t make it right
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
Arthur we know and we sympathize
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
Arthur we like you and want to help you
Somebody loves you don’t you know it
How is your life and your Shangri-la
And your long lost land of hallelujah
And your hope and glory has passed you by
Can’t you see what the world is doing to you
And now we see your children
Sailing off in the setting sun
To a new horizon
Where there’s plenty for everyone
Arthur, could be
That the world was wrong
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
Arthur, could be
You were right all along
Don’t you know it, I hope you know it
Now we know and we sympathize
We’d like to help you and understand you
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
Somebody loves you, don’t you know it
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
Arthur the world’s gone and passed you by
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
You can cry, cry all night
But it won’t make it right
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
Arthur we read you and understand you
Arthur we like you and want to help you
Oh! we love you and want to help you
In a plain simple working class position
Though the world was hard and it’s ways were set
He was young and he had so much ambition
All the way he was overtaken
By the people who make the big decisions
But he tried and he tried for a better life
And a way to improve his own condition
If only life were easy it would be such fun
Things would be more equal and be plenty for everyone
Arthur the world’s gone and passed you by
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
You can cry, cry all night but it won’t make it right
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
Arthur we like you and want to help you
Somebody loves you don’t you know it
And your long lost land of hallelujah
And your hope and glory has passed you by
Can’t you see what the world is doing to you
And now we see your children
Sailing off in the setting sun
To a new horizon
Where there’s plenty for everyone
Arthur, could be
That the world was wrong
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
Arthur, could be
You were right all along
Don’t you know it, I hope you know it
Now we know and we sympathize
We’d like to help you and understand you
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
Somebody loves you, don’t you know it
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
You can cry, cry all night
But it won’t make it right
Don’t you know it, don’t you know it
Arthur we read you and understand you
Arthur we like you and want to help you
Oh! we love you and want to help you
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great tune, plain and simple, don't you know it
This is one of the most underrated songs in history.
The tune is terrific, which, of course, matters more than anything.
But the message. And maybe I'm over-analyzing the point.
It's a guy born in a middle-class family. Has hopes. His corporate overlords overtake him every step of the way. He can't get anywhere. Just slaving away. They mock him for not being able to progress.
His kids go to another country where there's more promise. And the chorus becomes apologetic to Arthur. Corporate interests screwed you over, you were right all along.
What a perfect ending for a perfect album
There was only two really good albums in 1969 in my opinion. The Who's 'Tommy' and The Kink's 'Arthur' and it was no surprise that both were rock operas.
The only thing was that a Film was made of Tommy, what a shame a film wasn't made of Arthur. I could imagine someone like Mike Leigh making a great interpretation of Arthur for the big screen.