ROULETTE

Outtake version 3

We left the toys out in the yard
I took my wife and kids, I left my home unguarded
I packed my things into the car
No one here knows how this thing got started
Suddenly everything was just so out of control
Now I need some answers, mister, I I need to know
I hear all the talk but I don't know what you're sayin'
But I think I got a good idea of the game that you're playin'

Roulette, that's the name now
Roulette, that's the game now
Roulette, I don't believe what they're sayin'
Roulette, and everybody's playin'

I grew up here on this street where nothin' moves, just a strange breeze
Everyone's gone now, everyone but me
And this shadow in my backyard
I've got a house full of things that I can't touch
Well all those things they won't do me much good now

I was a fireman out at Riker's, I did my job
Mister, I've been cheated, Mister I feel like I've been robbed
I'm the big expendable, my life's just cancelled, null and void
But what are you gonna do about my little boy

Roulette, you're playin' with my life
Roulette, with my kids and my wife
Roulette, every day the stakes get bigger
Roulette, a different finger on the trigger

Down by the river that talks the night speaks in searchlights
And shortwave radio squawk, I see the uniforms comb the streets
But I've left behind the man I used to be
And all that belonged to me
I tried to take my family out to safety and security
But they stopped me at the roadblock, said they wanted to talk to me
They put me in a hospital but I escaped and then I ran
They said they wanted to help me but I think they had other plans
I left behind my family and I don't know what I can believe
All those guys, they keep on sayin
I know those guys wanna keep on playin'

Roulette, with my life
Roulette, with my kids and my wife
Roulette, the bullet's in the chamber
Roulette, who's the unlucky stranger
Roulette, surprise, you're dead
Roulette, the gun's to your head
Roulette, the bullet's spinning in the chamber
Roulette, pull the trigger, feel the click
No further danger

One of the many outtake versions of ROULETTE that were recorded between Apr 1979 and Aug 1980 at The Power Station, New York City. This version was recorded on 03 Apr 1979. Check also the Tracks version, outtake version 1, outtake version 2, outtake version 4, and live 1988 version.