London 1888 Lyrics - Momus

Cellophane grandfather clock 

I hope your hands will never stop 

Rescue me from my ugly block 

In Tokyo, 21st century 

To London, 1888 

I am descended from a great 

Clan of the Meiji shogunate 

And I am travelling extensively 

It's London 1888 

I sit here drinking nettle wine 

My family is in decline 

And I confess the fault is mine 

The doorman's sure to sit and wait 

To see who I'll bring home tonight 

I'll pay him cash to keep him quiet 

I am a libertine 

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Cellophane grandfather clock 

You've got my conscience on the trot 

You've got me walking round the block 

You've got me searching for experience 

Cellophane grandfather clock 

I am a Buddhist, I am not 

Victorian, I love your shops 

But your morality is meaningless 

It's London 1888 

And I have learned the game of chess 

I have a club, it's on the Strand 

I'm a dishonourable man 

And Tokyo is far away 

The English wear a poker face 

The latest craze is called 'Croquet' 

I am a stranger here 

Photos 

I am the Marquis Matsugae 

And I came questioning through time 

But is the grave my sole reply? 

And Sherlock Holmes is my good friend 

I have a trust fund I can spend 

And I am ready to defend 

My immorality to anyone 

And Whistler painted me in grey 

I had his mother round to stay 

And she sat knitting in her chair 

And staring through me disapprovingly 

And Aubrey Beardsley sketches me 

And Oscar Wilde comes round for tea 

But I still feel so Japanese 

When I'm alone on Piccadilly 

And in Green Park there is a band 

Medieval lillie in my hand 

I watch the sailors on the bus 

A little lustfully 

I am the Marquis Matsugae 

I came adventuring in time 

But is the grave my sole reply? 

Cellophane grandfather clock 

I hear you ticking while I talk 

In my apartment on Pall Mall 

To stable boys of easy provenance 

Cellophane grandfather clock 

The incense on my mantelpiece 

Covers the reek of smelly socks 

As I prepare them to be compromised 

It's London 1888 

It's 6 o'clock and I am late 

For some disreputable date 

With sordid appetites I hate 

I hope these crimes will never stop 

And like the hands upon the clock 

My hands will touch and he'll respond 

And go beyond 

I am the Marquis Matsugae 

And I came questioning through time 

But is the grave my sole reply? 

It's London 1888 

I am the Marquis Matsugae 

And I came questioning through time 

And is the grave my sole reply?