big nothing.

he stood in the road outside of town with a broken clockwork toy in
his hand: a graveyard for childish dreams in his palm; a broken lifeline.

big nothing.

the mechanical amusement sputtered in his fist. as he clenched, it
whirred and died again. it was a cowboy who drew his gun, but the
pistol was welded to the holster by age and careless children, so it
struggled and strained and it unwound his own spring.

big nothing.

he didn’t need tattoos to show where he had been and who he had loved. it
was the same thing that men had cried for; that women had dyed their hair
for. the cellophane illusion of a starry sky stretched over an open sore.

big nothing.

he thought about his lost daughter: the way her eyes would alight at the
greedy circus barker’s blackmail song; how he wanted to smash her skull
when she parroted back, ‘tell mommy; tell poppy; you need this little
dolly.’

big nothing. (x2)

the smoky voice of the petaled girl woke him long enough. there was too
much light in the room, so he unscrewed the bulb. she took him to bed like
an adopted dog.

big nothing.

she lit sickly incense, as he tried to tell if the resemblance was pure
and coincidental. he unleashed his grip on the toy, all it meant to him,
and it wound down forever.

big nothing.

he woke up in a sweat. the next day, with her smile still painted on his
mouth, he walked out of a town called big nothing.

big nothing. (repeat until fade)

oh i just don’t know where to begin
though he says he’ll wait forever
it’s now or never
but she keeps him hanging on
the silly champion
she says she can’t go home
without a chaperone

accidents will happen
we only hit and run
you used to be a victim
now you’re not the only one

accidents will happen
we only hit and run
i don’t want to hear it
’cause i know what i’ve done

there’s so many fish in the sea
that only rise up in the sweat and smoke like mercury
but they keep you hanging on
they say you’re so young
your mind is made up but your mouth is well undone

(chorus)

and it’s the damage that we do
and never know
it’s the words that we don’t say
that scare me so

there’s so many people to see
so many people you can check up on
and add to your collection
but they keep you hanging on
until you’re well hung
your mouth is made up but your mind is well undone

(chorus)
i don’t wanna hear it cause i know what i’ve, i know what i’ve, i know what i’ve done
i know, i know, (repeat) x 16

in an anonymous rendezvous
where the forbidden lovers repair
they’re burning down another damn candle
they’re melting the tables and chairs

beneath them applause from the balcony
whenever they accomplished making love
other times they thought they heard laughter
coming from the balcony above

chorus
she lies to his right and she carelessly recites
all of her brand new appetites
she seems brittle and small, it don’t sound like her at all
since she came back to him after the fall

she said "you never visit the countryside"
"so i’ve made you a country to order"
she put up a little tent in the bedroom
crickets played on a tape-recorder
the ceiling was festooned with phosphorous stars
she noticed his skin turning cold
burning all his clothes on the bonfire
"relax" she whispered and tightened the blindfold

chorus

you’ve changed but not for the better babe
i’d tell you why but what’s the use
‘cos it’s the same kind of pity
a drunkard gives as his excuse
you were sharp and ideal as a bobby pin
now your eyes are deserted and quiet
we both look like those poor shattered mannequins
thrown through the window in the riot

she lies in his arms and without any qualms
revels in shallow delights
she seems brittle and small, it don’t sound like her at all
since she came back to him after the fall

you did it ’cause you wanted
alibi, alibi
and you took it
cause you need it
alibi, alibi

but if i’ve done something wrong there’s no "ifs and buts"
’cause i love you just as much as i hate your guts
alibi, alibi, alibi…

and you don’t need anybody
alibi, alibi
but you are the only one that knows this
alibi, alibi
you deserve it ’cause you’re special
alibi, alibi
maybe jesus wants you for a sunbeam
alibi, alibi

but if i’ve left something out
i apologize
but if you look in my eyes
then i’m sure you’ll see…
alibis, alibis, alibis…

sometimes i’m so forgiving
everything seems bad to me
but i can’t go on living
with this alibi, alibi, alibi…

"insane," what a mundane
alibi, alibi
and you only wanted to be famous
alibi, alibi
sorry, but your mommy doesn’t love you
alibi, alibi
stop me if you’ve heard this…
alibi, alibi

but if i’ve done something right then don’t be surprised
there are soldiers who will kill but refuse to die

but if i’ve done something wrong there’s no "ifs and buts"
’cause i love you just as much as i hate your guts
alibi, alibi, alibi, alibi…

you were weak…
you couldn’t help it
alibi, alibi
but you never had a pony
alibi, alibi

chorus

and you’re such a people person
alibi, alibi
and i will be true to you forever
alibi, alibi
but you’re stupid and you’re lazy
alibi, alibi
maybe we can make the future better
alibi, alibi

chorus

sometimes i’m so forgiving
everything seems bad to me
but i can’t go on living
with this alibi, alibi, alibi…

you were happy when you were poor
and more honest and that’s your…
alibi, alibi
sister is a whore, brother isn’t sure
alibi, alibi
you don’t fit the body that you’re trapped in
alibi, alibi
papa’s got a brand new…
alibi, alibi

but if i’ve done something wrong there’s no "ifs and buts"
’cause i love you just as much as i hate your guts
but if i’ve left something out
i apologize
but if you look in my eyes
then i’m sure you’ll see…
alibis, alibis, alibis…

you did it, ’cause you want it
alibi, alibi
and you took it, ’cause you need it
alibi, alibi
chorus:
but if i’ve done something wrong
there’s no ifs and buts
’cause i love you just as much
as i hate your guts
alibi, alibi, alibi

you don’t need anybody
alibi, alibi
but you are the only one who knows this
alibi, alibi
you deserve it, ’cause you’re special
alibi, alibi
maybe jesus wants you for a sunbeam
alibi, alibi

chorus

bridge:
sometimes i’m so forgiving ohhhh oh
everything seems bad to me
but i can’t go on living
with this
alibi, alibi, alibi, alibi

insane, but i’m mundane
alibi, alibi
you wanted to be famous
alibi alibi
sorry that your mummy doesn’t love you
alibi, alibi
stop me, if you’ve heard this
alibi, alibi

chorus

(at 1999-10-15: chicago, il, arie crown theatre only)
and my mouth said something right
there’s no big surprise
there are soldiers to be killed
but refuse to die
alibi, alibi, alibi, alibi