Lead singer Gary Brooker said that the song, written by Procol Harum co-founder Keith Reid, was intended to be taken as little vignettes, each portion creating its own special mood.
En toto, it seems to be about missing a lover who left you, one or both blaming you for the departure.
Your multilingual business friend
Has packed her bags and fled
Leaving only ash-filled ashtrays
And the lipstick, unmade bed
The mirror, on reflection
Has climbed back upon the wall
For the floor she found descended
And the ceiling was too tall
Your trouser cuffs are dirty
And your shoes are laced up wrong
You'd better take off your Homburg
'Cause your overcoat is too long
Town clock in the market square
Stands waiting for the hour
When its hands they both turn backward
And on meeting will devour
Both themselves and also any fool
Who dares to tell the time
And the sun and moon will shadow
And the signpost cease to sign
Your trouser cuffs are dirty
And your shoes are laced up wrong
You'd better take off your Homburg
'Cause your overcoat is too long
Your trouser cuffs are dirty
And your shoes are laced up wrong
You'd better take off your Homburg
'Cause your overcoat is too long
Oh, your trouser cuffs are dirty
And your shoes are laced up wrong
You'd better take off your Homburg
'Cause your overcoat is too long
Your trouser cuffs are dirty...
Homburg was written by Gary Brooker & Keith Reid.
Homburg was produced by Denny Cordell.
Procol Harum released Homburg on Fri Sep 22 1967.