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The Golden Egg Lyrics
Shoot yourself in the leg
And the goose lays the golden egg
I had that golden egg before
But it disappeared as I limped out the door
Never reveal that you know
That the whole thing is just for show
A cardboard world with painted skies
'cause we all must agree to believe in the lies
Bring yourself down to your knees
And they'll give you the golden keys
The keys will open any lock
To an empty room or a Chinese box
I can't forget how I feel
And pretend that it's all for real
The pot won't call the kettle black
And I don't even feel the knife in my back.
When we go off to our beds
After struggling for our bread
A pleasant dream may stand instead
Of the clamor and noise that goes on in your head
So carry on like before
And don't listen to me anymore
Don't believe a word I say
'cause it's only a song and it don't mean a thing
And the goose lays the golden egg
I had that golden egg before
But it disappeared as I limped out the door
That the whole thing is just for show
A cardboard world with painted skies
'cause we all must agree to believe in the lies
And they'll give you the golden keys
The keys will open any lock
To an empty room or a Chinese box
And pretend that it's all for real
The pot won't call the kettle black
And I don't even feel the knife in my back.
After struggling for our bread
A pleasant dream may stand instead
Of the clamor and noise that goes on in your head
And don't listen to me anymore
Don't believe a word I say
'cause it's only a song and it don't mean a thing
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This song is just hauntingly beautiful and sinks you into this serene feeling of calm from the very first note.
I know a lot of people can't focus on Quasi songs without linking them to Elliott Smith, but I do have to mention that it always makes me think of him. It was in his playlist during a broadcasting of XFM's Hijack. It always makes me smile when he stammers out in his mildly awkward manner, "It's a beautiful song, I think, and, um... so, let's hear it!"
I concur with the comment below me. I haven't seen this interview, which i would love to see if you can link it. But the lyrics totally seem to call out to Elliott Smith, especially with the ending line. It's not for sure but i see it like that, even though its hard not to think of Elliott in the music.