1989 – Hated Uncles: “Variety Show” cassette
John Harvey (vocals) John Kinsella (music)
Lyrics
Sitting around a cafe table,
spilt wine the only tablecloth,
words slurred from cheap red wine
sighing at the skirts that pass us by,
we lie to ourselves
about our sexual proficiency,
stumble out of chairs
to take a piss
and grab the waitress’s ass.
Oh yes, we are a brave lot.
Brave faces putting up a brave front,
“The future’s ours,” someone slurs
and we bang the table
with half-filled glasses,
“More wine! More wine!”
The waitress rushes over
and places another bottle
in front of our salivating mouths,
flies buzz around oblivious
to the chatter of loud drunks.
Oh yes, we talk a good game.
Eyes become droopy,
and the conversation
stalls frequently like
Jimmy Stewart’s famed oratory prowess,
some stagger and leave
mumbling about god-damned work,
others stay and focus bleary eyes
wondering where all the wine went,
the lights dim, and we weave
towards the door,
wondering where all the girls went.
In the morning,
hungover and sweating and shaking,
we avoid our bosses and look forward
to another night of drinks,
and bullshit, and half-assed aspirations
which are flying out of our grasp
as we become older
and become the drunks we once
made fun of.
Oh yes, it’s a wonderful life.
Written: 1988