Jethro Tull - The Chequered Flag (Dead Or Alive) Lyrics
The disc brakes drag,
the chequered flag sweeps across the oil-slick track.
The young man's home; dry as a bone.
His helmet off, he waves: the crowd waves back.
One lap victory roll. Gladiator soul.
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand,
dead or alive.
The sunlight streaks through the curtain cracks,
touches the old man where he sleeps.
The nurse brings up a cup of tea ---
two biscuits and the morning paper mystery.
The hard road's end, the white god's-send
is nearer everyday, in dying the old man says,
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand,
The still-born child can't feel the rain
as the chequered flag falls once again.
The deaf composer completes his final score.
He'll never hear the sweet encore.
The chequered flag, the bull's red rag,
the lemming-hearted hordes
running ever faster to the shore singing,
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand,
dead or alive.
Other Lyrics by Artist
- Jethro Tull - Left Right
- Jethro Tull - This Is Not Love
- Jethro Tull - Strange Avenues
- Jethro Tull - Big Riff And Mando
- Jethro Tull - The Whaler's Dues
- Jethro Tull - Another Christmas Song
- Jethro Tull - Heavy Water
- Jethro Tull - Rock Island
- Jethro Tull - Undressed To Kill
- Jethro Tull - Ears Of Tin
- Jethro Tull - The Rattlesnake Trail
- Jethro Tull - Kissing Willie
- Jethro Tull - Part Of The Machine
- Jethro Tull - Raising Steam
- Jethro Tull - The Waking Edge
- Jethro Tull - Mountain Men
- Jethro Tull - Occasional Demons
- Jethro Tull - Roll Yer Own
Rand Lyrics
- Anne Murray - Hey! Baby!
- Anne Murray - Song For The Mira
- Anne Murray - That's Not The Way (It's S'posed To Be)
- Anne Murray - I'm Not Afraid Anymore
- Anne Murray - A Little Good News
- Anne Murray - Come On Love
- Anne Murray - Just Another Woman In Love
- Anne Murray - Time Don't Run Out On Me
- Anne Murray - I Don't Think I'm Ready For You
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Jethro Tull The Chequered Flag (Dead Or Alive) Comments
Isnt it Grand to be playing to the stand - dead or alive? - Nothing more to say.
One of my favorites. On my memorial playlist.
I finally got this album in 2003 when I was about to leave for the army. It reminds me of smoking out in the rain. This song in particular felt appropriate as I prepared for my first Iraq deployment. "isn't it grand to be playing in the sand, dead or alive"
The disc brakes drag, the chequered flag sweeps across the oil-slick track
The young man's home; dry as a bone. His helmet off, he waves: the crowd waves back
One lap victory roll. Gladiator soul
The taker of the day in winning has to say
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand, dead or alive
The sunlight streaks through the curtain cracks
Touches the old man where he sleeps
The nurse brings up a cup of tea – two biscuits and the morning paper mystery
The hard road's end, the white God's send is nearer everyday, in dying the old man says
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand, dead or alive
The still-born child can't feel the rain as the chequered flag falls once again
The deaf composer completes his final score. He'll never hear his sweet encore
The chequered flag, the bull's red rag
The lemming-hearted hordes running ever-faster to the shore singing
Isn't it grand to be playing to the stand, dead or alive
Me and my mate both old rockers used to contemplate what song would we like played at our funeral if either of us were to meet our end motorcycling, I loved Against the Wind and Too Old to RocknRoll, we used to sip our pints and hammer out what we wanted for our final journey and now haering this song it would be a great contender. Maybe a morbid subject but one we were happy to chat about having lost many friends to accidents over the years. Thanks for the post
If the saying is true, which I have come to think it is...Only The Good Die Young...Well, I guess I won't be leave Mother Earth. I will be here watching the dust blow off into space on top of Mount Cook in New Zealand.
Anyone who feels the same....you're all welcomed to join me. 3:-)
You not going anywhere soon Barb, JT is still playing out , saw them last fall
One of my favorite contemplative/ironic Tull songs- I may have it played at my funeral, along with "Elegy".
Me too!
We'll make sure that happens. If it kills us. Bwahahahaha