Storytelling Johnny - Fosca

Storytelling Johnny, sit me on your knee

Recite me some memory, no one else need see

Glowing with gossip of some gamine from Glossop

Boyish girl with a rucksack, girlish boy with a bad back

You’re high on Wittgenstein, you are kind with red wine

Whispering after a time, «I alone, am mine»

Storytelling Johnny, crying like Niobe

Moaning, «If only others were as tidy as me

I once attempted love but it was, oh so messy»

«Not like in the movies, where at least it’s much shorter

It’s best to dye your hair, it’s best to change your name

Rather than pin the blame on some helpless mother»

I long for today to be just like it was at school

Where I was nearly loved just for sharing my answers

But the happy adult look wasn’t in any Osborne book

And a gold star in algebra, won’t get you far

(Except the bar)

And in a hopeful maisonette, the girl pushed a boy away and said

«These hips are not child bearing, they’re child spurning

And child sparing and child scaring»

I was getting so afraid, I nearly had a t-shirt made

Saying, «Lose friends in days, ask me how»

She is now smoking menthols

Because she heard they make you sterile

She says, «I'm helping evolution while remaining very stylish

And, oh, it’s also very handy for removing a young family

From a crowded cafe, I just light up and swear loudly

Well, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry»

Storytelling Johnny, throw your words around me

You never fail to regale with a new tale

You’re still high on Wittgenstein, you’re still ready with red wine

You are free from anyone’s designs, saying, «I alone am mine»

You’re resigned to «I alone am mine»