This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
There's a haze on the skyline, to wish me on my way.
And there's a note on the telephone --- some roses on a tray.
And the motorway's stretching right out to us all,
as I pull on my old wings --- one white duck on your wall.
Isn't it just too damn real?
One white duck on your wall. One duck on your wall.
I'll catch a ride on your violin --- strung upon your bow.
And I'll float on your melody --- sing your chorus soft and low.
There's a picture-view postcard to say that I called.
You can see from the fireplace, one white duck on your wall.
Isn't it just too damn real?
One white duck on your wall. One duck on your wall. One duck on your wall.
So fly away Peter and fly away Paul --- from the
finger-tip ledge of contentment.
Well the long restless rustle of high-heeled boots calls.
And I'm probably bound to deceive you after all.
Something must be wrong with me and my brain ---
if I'm so patently unrewarding.
But my dreams are for dreaming and best left that
way --- and my zero to your power of ten equals
nothing at all.
There's no double-lock defense; there's no chain on my door.
And I'm available for consultation,
But remember your way in is also my way out, and
love's four-letter word is no compensation.
Well, I'm the Black Ace dog-handler: I'm a waiter on
skates --- so don't you jump to your foreskin conclusion.
Because I'm up to my deaf ears in cold breakfast trays ---
to be cleared before I can dine on your sweet Sunday
lunch confusion.
And there's a note on the telephone --- some roses on a tray.
And the motorway's stretching right out to us all,
as I pull on my old wings --- one white duck on your wall.
Isn't it just too damn real?
One white duck on your wall. One duck on your wall.
I'll catch a ride on your violin --- strung upon your bow.
And I'll float on your melody --- sing your chorus soft and low.
There's a picture-view postcard to say that I called.
You can see from the fireplace, one white duck on your wall.
Isn't it just too damn real?
One white duck on your wall. One duck on your wall. One duck on your wall.
So fly away Peter and fly away Paul --- from the
finger-tip ledge of contentment.
Well the long restless rustle of high-heeled boots calls.
And I'm probably bound to deceive you after all.
Something must be wrong with me and my brain ---
if I'm so patently unrewarding.
But my dreams are for dreaming and best left that
way --- and my zero to your power of ten equals
nothing at all.
There's no double-lock defense; there's no chain on my door.
And I'm available for consultation,
But remember your way in is also my way out, and
love's four-letter word is no compensation.
Well, I'm the Black Ace dog-handler: I'm a waiter on
skates --- so don't you jump to your foreskin conclusion.
Because I'm up to my deaf ears in cold breakfast trays ---
to be cleared before I can dine on your sweet Sunday
lunch confusion.
Lyrics submitted by knate15, edited by Counterparts
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This song always seemed to me to be about the role of sex in a relationship. "Done you jump to your foreskin conclusion" i.e. just because we have sex together don't assume I'm going to be 'monogamous' or faithful " I'm probably bound to deceive you after all".
The speaker is someone for whom sex is not bound by relationships or modern morality : "There's no double-lock defense; there's no chain on my door. I'm available for consultation,". He sees sex as a path to spirituality and helping/healing other people : "I'm the Black Ace dog handler, I'm a waiter on skates". 'Black Ace' is a reference to death, the 'dog' the fear of death. Death and sex are inextricably linked for all of us. Conquer your sexual repression and you conquer your fear of death.
The speaker also considers himself on a journey to find himself through this sexual shamanhood - he is currently a 'zero', with lots of work to do before he can experience divine bliss "Sunday lunch confusion".
If a nonspiritual person is hooked on the modern idea of power and wealth, then a spiritual person cannot grow with them : "my zero to your power of ten equals nothing at all" - so he must leave. He must delve into the "restless rustle of high-heeled boots" - symbolizing hedonistic exploration towards experiencing life fully. To do this we must leave behind the trappings of modern comfort : "fly away... from the fingertip ledge of contentment". Most people are holding onto material comfort by their fingertips, unable to love openly and with vulnerability, as is necessary for enlightenment.
This sounds out there, as do most of my analyses. But I'm a lifelong Buddhist, and I've come to understand that many (if not most) of Ian's songs revolve around walking the path to enlightenment, which involves not being attached to things, society, people, ... but does involve living life to its fullest through really enjoying life in the most organic way possible. And yes, that includes sex (read about Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, which became known in the west around this time).
Also read into the song "Teacher" a bit. That song is about not understanding how a guru could find enlightenment by indulging in drinking, sunbathing, and having fun. So much so that the student can't even focus on what he says.