Saint Dominic's Preview - Van Morrison

Shammy cleaning all the windows,

Singing songs about Edith Piaf’s soul.

And I hear blue strains of «no regredior»

Across the street from Cathedral Notre Dame.

Meanwhile back in San Francisco

We’re trying hard to make this whole thing blend,

As we sit upon this jagged

Storey block, with you my friend.

And it’s a long way to Buffalo.

It’s a long way to Belfast city too.

And I’m hoping the choice won’t blow the hoist

'cos this town, they bit off more than they can chew.

As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on Saint Dominic’s Preview

Saint Dominic’s Preview

Saint Dominic’s Preview

All the orange boxes are scattered.

Against the Safeway’s supermarket in the rain.

And everybody feels so determined

Not to feel anyone else’s pain.

(You know that) No one’s making no commitments

To anybody but themselves,

Hidin' behind closed doorways,

Tryin' to get outside, outside of empty shells

And for every cross-cuttin' country corner,

For every Hank Williams railroad train that cried,

And all the chains, badges, flags and emblems

And every strain on every brain and every eye (?)

As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on Saint Dominic’s Preview

Saint Dominic’s Preview

Saint Dominic’s Preview.

And the restaurant tables are completely covered.

The record company has paid out for the wine.

You got everything in the world you ever wanted

Right about now your face should wear a smile.

That’s the way it all should happen

When you’re in, when you’re in the state you’re in;

You’ve got your pen and notebook ready,

I think it’s about time, time for us to begin.

And we’re over in a 52nd Street apartment,

Socializing with the wino few,

Just to be hip and get wet with the jet set.

But they’re flying too high to see my point of view.

As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on Saint Dominic’s Preview

Saint Dominic’s Preview

Saint Dominic’s Preview.

See them freedom marching,

Out on the street, freedom marching.

Saint Dominic’s Preview.