AND THE BAND PLAYED

a.k.a. TOKYO
a.k.a. BORN TO WIN
a.k.a. SHANGHAI

24 Apr 1973 version

Well the moon hung like a shadow on a rung over Shanghai
Them soldier boys were returning home screaming Banzai
And the kids are still playing their games
Gettin' hustled and rustled out in the rain
As I sat inside listening to the broadcast
Oh save my soul sweet rock & roll 'cause I'm sinkin' fast
And then the band played
Out of nowhere
It was alright

Well now the legendary chaplain of the fightin' 51st was gettin' ready to go
I said "Padre, do you know a cheap virgin who likes to tango?"
He said "You can try Linda Lee"
Around the corner and across the sea
Oh word is out, word is out she's fast
Well blow me down now Linda 'cause I'm sinkin' fast

And them cats are sure getting fat
Down in the train yard
And the sandman brings them dreams
To ship out in the boxcars
Well the union says hold, break out the dice, breakout the gold
It's lunchtime at last

And Big Mama said "George Raft's tonight on the late show"
She sits straddlin' a kitchen chair, really gung-ho
She shivers with chills, wet with slot card thrills
Hypnotically lost in the glass
And we all sigh with the sunrise
As we watch the credits pass

And then the morning cloak fell down
Like a hoax over Sleepytown
Them garbage truck vigilantes are out making the last rounds
The inheritor he sipped his beer
And he poked cute fun of the queer
And threatened to kick his ass

And the bell rings, the horn blew
And I was outside pumpin' gas
But things were moving so slow tonight
So the kid goes back inside the station and turns on his radio
To his local AM station
And the band played
On the radio
It was alright
It's on the radio
And he listened to the bass line
And the boys in the band sang
Whoa, whoa whoa-wo
Whoa, whoa whoa-wo
(They're so excited about it)
Whoa, whoa whoa-wo
(Everybody alright)
Whoa, whoa whoa-wo
(And the band played)
Whoa, whoa whoa-wo
(And the band played)
Whoa, whoa whoa-wo
(Everybody)
Whoa, whoa whoa-wo

These lyrics refer to the version performed on 24 Apr 1973 at The Main Point, Bryan Mawr, PA. Much more different vocally than other demos of this era, this song was also a feature of Bruce's live set during the early 70's. Lyrically it is just as sprawling and delightfully confused as other songs of the time.

Also check the studio and the 03 Jun 1974 versions.