General Joy

Basically it's saying that we can't always be happy & perfect with what you have, & that you have to make due. The line "and I know you will always love Sorrow is that why you gave her dress to Happiness? \'cause it matches her eyes when she cries"
is basically saying that he's (it's obviously talking in terms of a man wanting a woman) always going to want this image, and sometimes that image is unattainable to get. In turn, he manipulates things around him to get his wish. I think the entire piece talks about the restlessness and agressiveness of society, especially from a gender point of view.

I kind of took something different from it -- I think she's talking about a man who's had a sad past, lost his innocence, etc (back where your boys were left behind). Now he feels trapped in the life that he has, where he doesn't love his wife but he is so jaded that he doesn't really believe in happiness anymore. He clothes even his happiness in sorrow because he knows it will disappoint ("when she cries"). He just continues on his life, perhaps travelling alot ("by boat, by tram, by autobus") superficially trying to escape his life while not doing anything to change it for fear that he will face more disappointment ("protecting us...from the hawks that have stolen the bird from the sky") Sorry so long :)

This is definitely a political song, especially in the verse: 'General Joy it seems you need a soldier girl and a willing coalition'

For some odd reason, this song makes me think of the whole Brad Pitt (General Joy)/ Jennifer Aniston (Wife) divorce for Angelina Jolie (Soldier Girl). And I always thought the lyric was "Is that why you gave her address to happiness". This one makes sense too though.

sounds musically like Faith no More was an ifluance

All I know is that this is a very political album of hers.

And love the way she sings "motorbus".

I think this might be a reference to The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, but I could be wrong. He was a Commander, rather than a General, but his wife was Serena Joy...

Ooh I like that idea, non vintage! Could well be...