The Smiths: The Queen Is Dead

Album: The Queen Is Dead (1986)
Produced by Morrissey and Johnny Marr
Label: Rough Trade Records

Track 1: The Queen Is Dead
Words by Morrissey
Music by Johnny Marr


Video: The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead


Lyrics: The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead

Farewell to this lands cheerless marshes
hemmed in like a boar between arches
her very Lowness with a head in a sling
Im truly sorry - but it sounds like a wonderful thing
dear Charles, don't you ever crave
to appear on the front of the Daily Mail
dressed in your Mother's bridal veil?
So, I checked all the registered historical facts
and I was shocked into shame to discover
how Im the 18th pale descendent
of some old queen or other
has the world changed, or have I changed?
has the world changed, or have I changed?
as some 9-year old tough peddles drugs
(I never even knew what drugs were)
And so, I broke into the Palace
with a sponge and a rusty spanner
she said: "Eh, I know you, and you cannot sing"
I said: "that's nothing - you should hear me play piano"
We can go for a walk where it's quiet and dry
and talk about precious things
but when you're tied to your Mother's apron
No one talks about castration
We can go for a walk where it's quiet and dry
and talk about precious things
like love and law and poverty
these are the things that kill me
We can go for a walk where it's quiet and dry
and talk about precious things
but the rain that flattens my hair
these are the things that kill me
Passed the Pub that saps your body
and the church who'll snatch your money
the Queen is dead, boys
and it's so lonely on a limb
Passed the Pub that wrecks your body
and the church - all they want is your money
the Queen is dead, boys
you can trust me, boys
life is very long, when you're lonely
life is very long, when you're lonely
life is very long, when you're lonely
life is very long, when you're lonely