One of Cale’s best-known solo tracks, “Paris 1919” appears to address the complex geopolitical nuances of the Treaty of Versailles (negotiated at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919), widely regarded by historians as one of the worst treaties of European history and a causal factor of Hitler’s rise a...
[Verse 1]
She makes me so unsure of myself
Standing there but never ever talking sense
Just a visitor you see
So much wanting to be seen
She'd open up the doors and vaguely carry us away
It's the customary thing to say or do
To a disappointed proud man in his grief
And on Fridays she'd be there
But on Mondays not at all
Just casually appearing from the clock across the hall
[Chorus]
You're a ghost la la la la la la la la la
You're a ghost la la la la la la la la la
I'm the church and I've come
To claim you with my iron drum
La la la la la la la la la la
[Verse 2]
The Continent's just fallen in disgrace
William William William Rogers put it in its place
Blood and tears from old Japan
Caravans and lots of jam and maids of honor
Singing crying singing tediously
[Chorus]
You're a ghost la la la la la la la la la
Yes you're a ghost la la la la la la la la la
I'm the bishop and I've come
To claim you with my iron drum
La la la la la la la la la la
[Instrumental Bridge]
[Verse 3]
Efficiency efficiency they say
Get to know the date and tell the time of day
As the crowds begin complaining
How the Beaujolais is raining
Down on darkened meetings on the Champs Elysées
[Chorus]
You're a ghost la la la la la la la la la
You're a ghost la la la la la la la la la
And I'm the church and I've come
To claim you with my iron drum
La la la la la la la la la la
You're a ghost la la la la la la la la la
You're a ghost la la la la la la la la la
I'm the church and I've come
To claim you with my iron drum
La la la la la la la la la la
You're a ghost la la la la la la la la la
You're a ghost la la la la la la la la la
I'm the church and I've come
To claim you with my iron drum
La la la la la la la la la la
You're a ghost la la la la la la la la la
You're a ghost la la la la la la la la la...
Paris 1919 was written by John Cale.
Paris 1919 was produced by Chris Thomas.
John Cale released Paris 1919 on Sun Feb 25 1973.