We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Showdown Might Be Tragedy

from Bootleg Powerhead by John Lyle

/

lyrics

The Showdown Might Be Tragedy

When our trust is in the gambler and the odds are on the wall
And all the whores can beg for rain-checks
While their johns lose all recall
And when our minds are always busy mailing letters to the sea
It’s the show-off age and it’s the show-off stage
And the showdown might be tragedy

When the preacher is a shadow hidden deep within himself
And when the church is just a house around a promise to protect
And when our eyes are always searching for an empty ecstasy
It’s the show-off age and it’s the show-off stage
And the showdown might be tragedy

When the sun can break a window and a word can break my heart
Into a bleeding, screaming billion scandalizing counterparts
And when the dawn buys benediction and your voice is clemency
It’s the show-off age and it’s the show-off stage
And the showdown might be tragedy

When the showdown is a shoot-out and the stakes are after all
Just a price to pay for praying for another bang-up brawl
And when our masks are disappearing into naked comedy
It’s the show-off age and it’s the show-off stage
And the showdown might be tragedy

credits

from Bootleg Powerhead, released January 1, 1971

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

John Lyle image

John Lyle Sechelt, British Columbia

The lyrics for most of the songs appearing in these albums are available in book form: "The Kindest Lies: the Lyrics of John Lyle", published by Leaky Boot Press (June 28, 2013).

contact / help

Contact John Lyle

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like John Lyle, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Saxophonist Isaiah Collier chats about his new LP and the influence of Pharoah Sanders.
listen now