Shriekback: Lyrics to "«Jam Science»"

Jam Science:
Hand On My Heart / Newhome / Achtung / Midnight Maps / Mercy Dash / Under The Lights / My Careful Hands / Suck / Hubris.

All songs published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd. except 'Midnight Maps' and 'Suck' by EMI Music Publishing Ltd./Martyn Barker.

All songs written by Dave Allen, Barry Andrews and Carl Marsh except 'Midnight Maps' and 'Suck' by Dave Allen, Barry Andrews, Martyn Barker and Carl Marsh.

Lyrics reproduced with permission from members of Shriekback.
Transcribed by Phil Hetherington, with thanks to Barry Andrews and Carl Marsh for answering queries along the way.

• Hand On My Heart
  
  And you can say well
  And you can pray yeah
  
  What about those days we break up the alphabet
  Some itch and ripple bones beneath the flesh
  No hesitation keeping the theory in trim
  What about that stuff that keeps on pouring in
  I wouldn't cry no pleasure in doing it but
  There are those days the luxury ain't too much
  I wouldn't bother if it was all in the mind
  It's in the body; the body still knows best
  
  And you can say well there goes a lucky guy
  Amd you can say well there goes the neighbourhood
  And you can say well there goes a bob or two
  And you can pray that it would or wouldn't happen to you
  And all of this is not imagination
  It's just me putting my hand on my heart
  And all of this is not in explanation
  It's just me putting my hand on my heart
  It's just me putting my hand on my heart
  
  What about those days we make up a secret pact
  To splash and paddle into the dark and back
  No hesitation never a shadow of doubt
  What about that stuff you keep on shouting out
  Oh I could try to weigh it up and measure it but
  Most of the time the effort is just too much
  I wouldn't bother if it was all in the mind
  It's in the body; the body still knows best
  
  And you can say well there goes a lucky guy
  Amd you can say well there goes the neighbourhood
  And you can say well there goes a bob or two
  And you can pray that it would or wouldn't happen to you
  And all of this is not imagination
  It's just me putting my hand on my heart
  And all of this is not in explanation
  It's just me putting my hand on my heart
  It's just me putting my hand on my heart
  
  And you can say well there goes a lucky guy
  Amd you can say well there goes the neighbourhood
  And you can say well there goes a bob or two
  And you can pray that it might just happen to you...
  And all of this is not imagination
  It's just me putting my hand on my heart
  And all of this is not in explanation
  It's just me putting my hand on my heart
  It's just me putting my hand on my heart
  
  And all of this is not imagination
  It's just me putting my hand on my heart
  And all of this is not in explanation
  It's just me putting my hand on my heart
  It's just me putting my hand on my heart
  
  
• Newhome
  
  Debts and obligations filled
  The meal is cooked, the wine is chilled
  All complete, decisions made
  The guns are cocked, the traps are laid
  Monuments in bricks and bone
  Are built upon the words we own
  
  Criss cross the words get lost
  The airmail's missing and the lines are crossed
  
  Medicine has been prescribed
  For pounding hearts and frantic eyes
  How much can one body take -
  The concrete shoes the hungry lake
  Doctors we have called in here
  Should really have been engineers
  
  Chitter chatter, paint brush spatter
  All touch tongues and pass it on
  
  Telling half truths and open lies
  Leave me half blind and paralysed
  Going half way to somewhere else
  We're building up a new home
  
  Telling half truths and open lies
  Leave me half blind and paralysed
  Going half way to somewhere else
  We're building up a new home
  
  'Planes are loaded, engines race
  The 'chutes are packed though just in case
  Tail to tail now down the road
  The cargo moves by lorry load
  At the quayside through the night
  The boats block out the harbour lights
  
  Chitter chatter, paint brush spatter
  All touch tongues and pass it on
  Telling half truths and open lies
  Leave me half blind and paralysed
  Going half way to somewhere else
  We're building up a new home
  
  Telling half truths and open lies
  Leave me half blind and paralysed
  Going half way to somewhere else
  We're building up a new home
  
  Telling half truths and open lies
  Leave me half blind and paralysed
  Going half way to somewhere else
  We're building up a new home
  
  Telling half truths and open lies
  Leave me half blind and paralysed
  Going half way to somewhere else
  We're building up a new home
  
  Building up a new home
  Building up a new home
  Building up a new home
  
  Building up a new home
  Building up a new home
  Building up a new home
  
  Building up a new home
  Building up a new home
  Building up a new home
  
  Building up a new home
  Building up a new home
  Building up a new home
  
  Building up a new home
  Building up a new home
  Building up a new home
  
  Building up a new home
  Building up a new home
  Building up a new home
  
  Building up a new home
  Building up a new home
  Building up a new home
  
  
• Achtung
  
  Here I come
  Staking out the territory
  Here's my hand and here's my card
  By these signs ye shall know them
  It's as black as it is hard
  Here I am
  All electric elegance
  With every kiss a shiver with every shiver a kiss
  Right now I feel so shiny
  It's as hard and black as it is
  
  Stop me dead, love me lifeless
  Show me a black as bright as it is hard
  Kiss me stupid, love me dead
  Show me a black as bright as it is hard
  
  Here I come
  Sharing out the chromosome
  Cancer babies of the world unite
  By these signs ye shall know them
  It's as hard and black as it is bright
  Spend the day
  Ringing like a telephone
  Achtung
  Take it away
  One line
  Crowding up a polar page
  It's [+++ 'it's' not on sleeve] so sad
  It could blow me away
  
  Stop me dead, love me lifeless
  Show me a black as bright as it is hard
  Kiss me stupid, love me dead
  Show me a black as bright as it is hard
  
  She said soft cop
  There's a hard cop
  But they're both beat crazy yeah yeah yeah
  
  (There's a philosophy, don't mean a lot to me -
  "the value of anything is how much it hurts"
  I'm nearly but not quite almost incinerated
  I can't see anything for digging in the dirt
  I'll take the policy if you can sell it
  But I can't go to heaven for the price of a shirt
  Now I'm up for decadence here is the consequence -
  Who does the cleaning while I fight and flirt?)
  
  Here it is
  Cutting out the middleman
  Here's the feathers and here's the tar
  Oh I'm ready, that's that, that's final, it's a wrap
  You win, come on, drive me to the bar
  Spend the day
  Ringing like a telephone
  Achtung
  Take it away
  One line
  Crowding up a polar page
  It's so sad
  It could blow me away
  
  Stop me dead, love me lifeless
  Show me a black as bright as it is hard
  Kiss me stupid, love me dead
  Show me a black as bright as it is hard
  
  Stop me dead, love me lifeless
  Show me a black as bright as it is hard
  Kiss me stupid, love me dead
  Show me a black as bright as it is hard
  
  Stop me dead, love me lifeless
  Show me a black as bright as it is hard
  Kiss me stupid, love me dead
  Show me a black as bright as it is hard
  
  Stop me dead, love me lifeless
  Show me a black as bright as it is hard
  Kiss me stupid, love me dead...
  
  
• Partyline
  
  Manhattan down below
  A grid of touch and go
  My pistol paramour
  How can I take much more than this
  Engaging higher gear
  It's end of term in here
  No end of party line
  Guess that's the party line for me
  Still find it hard believing, people find it hard believing
  Still find it hard believing, people find it hard believing
  No fights on barricades
  This crowd is well behaved
  No pistol party games seems that's the party's aim for now
  No gift of repartee
  Without a saving heart
  No razor edge to fear
  All easy breathing here today
  
  Oh touch and go breaking all bones of chance in here
  See how it goes getting close check the view from here
  Oh oh write on walls of dance oh write on walls of dance
  
  We write on walls of dance
  There's not the slightest chance
  Of ending party time seems like the party line for me
  Go catalysing fear
  Lets have some light in here
  We'll give the game away before the final frame is run
  Still find it hard believing people find it hard believing
  Still find it hard believing people find it hard believing
  
  Oh touch and go breaking all bones of chance in here
  See how it goes getting close check the view from here
  Oh oh write on walls of dance oh write on walls of dance
  
  Hey! write on walls of dance
  Hey! paint on walls of skin
  We're breaking all the bones
  Now climbing up begins
  
  Hey! write on walls of dance
  Hey! paint on walls of skin
  We're breaking all the bones
  Now climbing up begins
  
  Hey! write on walls of dance
  Hey! paint on walls of skin
  We're breaking all the bones
  Now climbing up begins
  
  Hey! write on walls of dance
  Hey! paint on walls of skin
  We're breaking all the bones
  Now climbing up begins
  
  Hey! write on walls of dance
  Hey! paint on walls of skin
  We're breaking all the bones
  Now climbing up begins
  
  Hey! write on walls of dance
  Hey! paint on walls of skin
  We're breaking all the bones
  Now climbing up begins
  
  Hey! write on walls of dance
  Hey! paint on walls of skin
  We're breaking all the bones
  Now climbing up begins
  
  Hey! write on walls of dance
  Hey! paint on walls of skin
  We're breaking all the bones
  Now climbing up begins
  
  
• Midnight Maps
  
  We are marching on the midnight maps
  We are looking for a perfect world
  Anywhere in the universe
  Anywhere they'll take my cash
  Anywhere the wind is outside (outside)
  I'm leaving cars behind me
  We'll be walking to the perfect world
  It could be anywhere, any way from here
  Anywhere the wind is outside
  
  I know what's good for you
  I have my reasons
  I draw these plans for you
  Pick 'em up and read them
  I know what's good for you
  I have my reasons
  I draw these plans for you
  Pick 'em up and read them
  
  I'm leaving clothes there on the midnight beach
  They wouldn't be in perfect style
  Anywhere on a rocky coast
  Anywhere we land intact
  Anywhere the sea's at high tide (high tide)
  I'm putting markers on the midnight map
  I should be searching from door to door now
  Anywhere in the neighbourhood
  Anywhere we already looked
  Maybe a little bit uptown
  
  Why let your heart bleed?
  Why suffer soul strain?
  Why lose your sleep over things such as these?
  Why let your heart bleed?
  Why suffer soul strain?
  Why lose your sleep over things such as these?
  
  I know what's good for you
  I have my reasons
  I draw these plans for you
  Pick 'em up and read them
  I know what's good for you
  I have my reasons
  I draw these plans for you
  Pick 'em up and read them
  
  We are marching on the midnight map
  We are looking for a perfect world
  It could be anywhere, any way from here
  Anywhere the wind is outside
  I'm putting markers on the midnight map
  We should be searching from door to door now
  Anywhere in the neighbourhood
  Anywhere we already looked
  Maybe a little bit uptown
  
  Why let your heart bleed?
  Why suffer soul strain?
  Why lose your sleep over things such as these?
  Why let your heart bleed?
  Why suffer soul strain?
  Why lose your sleep over things such as these?
  
  I know what's good for you
  I have my reasons
  I draw these plans for you
  Pick 'em up and read them
  I know what's good for you
  I have my reasons
  I draw these plans for you
  Pick 'em up and read them
  
  I know what's good for you...
  
  
• Mercy Dash
  
  Are you ready
  Ready for this
  Are you ready for a show of devotion
  
  Are you ready
  Ready for this
  Are you ready for a show of devotion
  
  Don't go drinking that dirty water
  Don't go swimming in the bay today
  Don't do nothing without looking first - say
  Where's your coat when the sky's so grey?
  
  Are you ready »ready«
  Ready for this »anytime«
  Are you ready for a show of devotion? »I'm ready«
  
  Are you ready »ready«
  Ready for this »anytime«
  Are you ready for a show of devotion? »would you move«
  
  Will you move »would you«
  Move now »come on«
  Just move in the spirit of the motion »I know«
  I know you can »'cos you«
  You move me »I know«
  I nearly die in the pleasure of the motion »oh«
  
  Are you ready »ready«
  Ready for this »anytime«
  Are you ready for a shock of emotion? »I'm ready«
  
  Are you ready »ready«
  Ready for this »anytime«
  Are you ready for a shock of emotion? »would you«
  
  Don't go using that language
  Don't go driving that car so fast
  Don't do nothing without looking first - say
  Where's your cash and your credit cards?
  
  Are you ready »ready«
  Ready for this »anytime«
  Are you ready for a show of devotion? »I'm ready«
  
  Are you ready »ready«
  Ready for this »anytime«
  Are you ready for a show of devotion? »would you move«
  
  Will you move »would you«
  Move now »come on«
  Just move for the spirit of the motion »I know«
  I know you can »'cos you«
  You move me »you know«
  I nearly die in the pleasure of the motion »oh«
  
  I'm getting thinner - I need cash - I'm queuing now for the mercy dash...
  I'm getting thinner - I need cash - I'm queuing now for the mercy dash...
  I'm getting thinner - I need cash - I'm queuing now for the mercy dash...
  I'm getting thinner - I need cash - I'm queuing now for the mercy dash...
  
  Are you ready »ready«
  Ready for this »anytime«
  Are you ready for a show of devotion? »I'm ready«
  
  Are you ready »ready«
  Ready for this »anytime«
  Are you ready for a show of devotion? »would you move«
  
  Will you move »would you«
  Move now »come on«
  Just move in the spirit of the motion »I know«
  I know you can »'cos you«
  You move me »come on«
  I nearly die in the pleasure of the motion »oh«
  
  
• Under The Lights
  
  Too late! Here's mad old Uncle Danger
  Jam Science..... and quietly chewing sparks
  So long - to the spirit of inquiry
  On the end of my tongue -
  He's the one. He's the one, he's the one, he's the one
  
  Look out! Says old friend Uncle Einstein
  Black holes.... are eating up the light
  Big deal - so much for lucid theory
  And a whole lotta facts -
  Throw 'em out, throw 'em out, throw 'em out, throw 'em out
  
  Here we go again under the lights
  Words flying like bullets tonight
  Floor is moving and the ceiling's too bright
  Here we go again under the lights
  
  Here we go again under the lights
  Words flying like bullets tonight
  Floor is moving and the ceiling's too bright
  Here we go again under the lights
  
  Oh no! Now here's another midnight
  S'on fire - and there's no choice at all
  Oh oh - now someones found the number
  Gotta hand on the 'phone -
  Let it ring, let it ring, let it ring, let it ring
  
  So much! For the limits of endurance
  Page six - and I'm on seventeen
  no way - could I be Mr Athlete
  No jogging for me -
  Gotta run, gotta run, gotta run, gotta run
  
  Here we go again under the lights
  Words flying like bullets tonight
  Floor is moving and the ceiling's too bright
  Here we go again under the lights
  
  Here we go again under the lights
  Words flying like bullets tonight
  Floor is moving and the ceiling's too bright
  Here we go again under the lights
  
  Can anyone fly this 'plane?
  Does anyone know the time?
  Has anyone seen the cameras?
  Why do places look the same?
  Can anyone speak chinese?
  Does anyone know the way?
  Where did I leave my passport?
  Can someone help me please?
  We're looking like refugees
  We're looking like refugees
  So much for help me please.....
  
  Here we go again under the lights
  Words flying like bullets tonight
  Floor is moving and the ceiling's too bright
  Here we go again under the lights
  
  Here we go again under the lights
  Words flying like bullets tonight
  Floor is moving and the ceiling's too bright
  Here we go again under the lights
  
  Here we go again under the lights
  Here we go again under the lights
  Words flying like bullets tonight
  Floor is moving and the ceiling's too bright
  
  
• My Careful Hands
  
  We'll push these clocks until they break up in our hands (our hands our careful hands)
  Airmail our mating rhythms all around the world (around the world around)
  Sometimes we'll hear them beat out against our will
  But oh, oh, oh
  Even your bones are calling so
  
  We'll flow and shift and simmer, snakes across the sand (the sea and wind and sand)
  My nerves are calling your nerves holding out my hand (my hands my careful hands)
  Long distance, long time coming, sail against the tide
  
  But oh, oh, oh
  Even your bones are calling so
  Who am I to tear myself in half?
  And oh, oh, oh
  Don't you say I told you so -
  Who are you to point out small print now?
  
  Promises are made and broken
  Deeds are done in place and time
  Here are we all things unspoken
  Filling up your eyes with mine
  
  Promises are made and broken
  Deeds are done in place and time
  Here are we all things unspoken
  Filling up your eyes with mine
  
  Oh, oh, oh
  Even your bones are calling so
  Who am I to tear myself in half?
  
  Dark eyes under dark hair hide darker thoughts than these (dark eyes and careful hands)
  Name the names and I just can't turn away
  
  Promises are made and broken
  Deeds are done in place and time
  Here are we all things unspoken
  Filling up your eyes with mine
  
  Promises are made and broken
  Deeds are done in place and time
  Here are we all things unspoken
  Filling up your eyes with mine
  
  Promises are made and broken
  Deeds are done in place and time
  Here are we all things unspoken
  Filling up your eyes with mine
  
  Promises are made and broken
  Deeds are done in place and time...
  
  
• Suck
  
  Suck
  Suck
  Quick glance at the primal soul red and black
  Flexing breathing out fire
  Suck
  Suck
  
  Copper teeth on the mainline careless kiss of bullets in
  Doletown dark brown
  Get down still swimming through it
  These chains were once my father's but now they are mine
  I know my rights you know
  I rattle like a train sometimes I take so much oh
  Suck
  Suck
  Suck
  Suck
  Suck suck suck the nerve's like a lifeline
  Suck suck suck the blood of the meantime
  Suck suck suck the nerve's like a lifeline
  Suck suck suck the blood of the meantime
  
  ...frequency ...and secrecy ...these plots too thick to mention
  ...gonna bite on the bullet and cough it all up
  Suck
  Suck
  Copper teeth on the mainline careless kiss of bullets in
  Doletown dark brown
  Get down still swimming through it
  These chains were once my father's but now they are mine
  I know my rights you know
  I rattle like a train sometimes I take so much sonny
  Suck
  Suck
  Suck
  Suck
  Suck suck suck the nerve's like a lifeline
  Suck suck suck the blood of the meantime
  Suck suck suck the nerve's like a lifeline
  Suck suck suck the blood of the meantime
  
  Quick glance at the primal soul red and black
  Flexing breathing out fire
  Suck
  Suck
  Suck
  Suck suck suck suck
  Suck
  Suck
  Suck
  Suck
  Suck...
  
  
• Hubris
  
  Holy and separate
  Fading as I fade
  Sicky embellishment
  Traitor at my gate
  Is golden with my pain
  Is sweeter than my breath
  The spoilt child of my love
  Could never detect love
  
  My hubris, my hubris: what could ever dream like this
  My hubris: what could ever sting like this
  
  Hopeless possession
  The splendour of nightmare
  Sacred infection
  Wholly indelible
  Pure as my cruelty
  All heart and silence
  As weak as this cold light
  It feels as I feel
  
  My hubris, my hubris: what could ever dream like this
  My hubris: what could ever sting like this
  
  My hubris, my hubris: what could ever dream like this
  My hubris, my hubris: what could ever sting like this
  
  My hubris, my hubris: what could ever sting like this
  My hubris, my hubris: what could ever sting like this
  
  

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