John Lennon’s uptempo ballad was written in Paris during his and Yoko’s honeymoon in 1969. It is the story of their wedding in Gibraltar, and through Paris to their “bed in” week in Amsterdam, a short jaunt to Vienna and back to London.
Recorded with Paul only, since George and Ringo were out of to...
[Verse 1: John Lennon]
Standing in the dock at Southampton
Trying to get to Holland or France
The man in the mac said, “You've got to go back”
You know, they didn't even give us a chance
[Chorus: John Lennon]
Christ, you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're gonna crucify me
[Verse 2: John Lennon]
Finally, made the plane into Paris
Honeymooning down by the Seine
Peter Brown called to say, “You can make it okay
You can get married in Gibraltar, near Spain”
[Chorus: John Lennon]
Christ, you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're gonna crucify me
[Verse 3: John Lennon]
Drove from Paris to the Amsterdam Hilton
Talking in our beds for a week
The news people said, “Say what you doing in bed?”
I said, “We're only trying to get us some peace”
[Chorus: John Lennon]
Christ, you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're gonna crucify me
[Bridge: John Lennon, John Lennon & Paul McCartney]
Saving up your money for a rainy day
Giving all your clothes to charity
Last night the wife said, “Poor boy, when you're dead
You don't take, nothing with you but your soul”
Think!
[Verse 4: John Lennon, John Lennon & Paul McCartney]
Made a lightning trip to Vienna
Eating chocolate cake in a bag
The newspaper said, “She's gone to his head
They look just like two gurus in drag”
[Chorus: John Lennon, John Lennon & Paul McCartney]
Christ, you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're gonna crucify me
[Verse 5: John Lennon & Paul McCartney]
Caught the early plane back to London
Fifty acorns tied in a sack
The men from the press said, “We wish you success
It's good to have the both of you back”
[Chorus: John Lennon, John Lennon & Paul McCartney]
Christ, you know it ain't easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They're gonna crucify me
The way things are going
They're gonna crucify me
[Outro]
The Ballad of John and Yoko was written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney.
The Ballad of John and Yoko was produced by George Martin.
The Beatles released The Ballad of John and Yoko on Fri May 30 1969.