GROWIN' UP^©

Live 31 Oct 1973 version

...suspended in my masquerade
And I combed my hair till it looked just right and commanded the night brigade
And I was open to pain and crossed by the rain and I walked on a crooked crutch
Well I strolled all alone through a fallout zone and I came out with my soul untouched
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, when they said "sit down" I stood up
Ooooh, growin' up
Ah

??? the flag of piracy flew from my mast, my sails were set wing to wing
I had a jukebox graduate for first mate, she wouldn't sail but she sure would sing
I pushed B-52 and bombed 'em with the blues with my gear set stubborn on standing
I broke all the rules, strafed my old high school, never once gave thought to landing
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, when they said "come down" I threw up
Ooooh, growin' up

Alright now!

Month-long vacations in the stratosphere, you know it's really hard to hold your breath
Swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared, I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress
They finally took root in the earth but I got me a nice little place in the stars
Well I swear I found the key to the universe in the engine of an old parked car
I hid in the mother breast of the crowd, when they said "pull down" I pulled up
Ooooh, growin' up
Ooooh, growin' up
Alright now!

These lyrics refer to the live 31 Oct 1973 performance at The Main Point, Bryn Mawr, PA. The track's start is cut, and the audio of the complete track is not circulating.

Check also the album's version (more details), the Tracks version, and the alternative version. The live versions are all pretty similar, and have no important lyrics variations. Only the spoken intro differs. Check them out: 10 Aug 1972, 05 Feb 1975, 30 Dec 1975, 07 Apr 1976, 27 Oct 1976, 04 Nov 1976, 23 Mar 1977, 24 Mar 1977, 31 May 1978, 25 Jun 1978, 05 Jul 1978, 07 Jul 1978, 04 Aug 1978, 09 Aug 1978, 20 Aug 1984, 14 Sep 1984, 22 Sep 1992, 24 Sep 1999, 19 Feb 2003, and 22 Jun 2003.