Ian Anderson - Minstrel in the Gallery (live) lyrics

The minstrel in the gallery Looked down upon the smiling faces He met the gazes observed the spaces Between the old men's cackle He brewed a song of love and hatred Oblique suggestions and he waited He polarized the pumpkin-eaters Static-humming panel-beaters Freshly day-glow'd factory cheaters (salaried and collar-scrubbing.) He titillated men-of-action Belly warming, hands still rubbing On the parts they never mention He pacified the nappy-suffering, infant-bleating One-line jokers, TV documentary makers (overfed and undertakers.) Sunday paper backgammon players Family-scarred and women-haters Then he called the band down to the stage And he looked at all the friends he'd made The minstrel in the gallery Looked down upon the smiling faces He met the gazes observed the spaces In between the old men's cackle He brewed a song of love and hatred Oblique suggestions and he waited He polarized the pumpkin-eaters Static-humming panel-beaters The minstrel in the gallery Looked down on the rabbit-run And threw away his looking-gla** - Saw his face in everyone He titillated men-of-action Belly warming, hands still rubbing On the parts they never mention (salaried and collar-scrubbing.) He pacified the nappy-suffering, infant-bleating One-line jokers, TV documentary makers (overfed and undertakers.) Sunday paper backgammon players Family-scarred and women-haters Then he called the band down to the stage And he looked at all the friends he'd made The minstrel in the gallery Looked down on the rabbit-run And threw away his looking-gla** - And saw his face in everyone The minstrel in the gallery Looked down upon the smiling faces He met the gazes... The minstrel in the gallery