Jokerman (Infidels Alternate Take)

Standing on the waters, casting your bread
While the eyes of the idol
With the iron head are glowin'
Distant ships sailing into the mist
You were born with a snake in both of your fists
While a hurricane was blowing

Freedom, just around the corner for you
But with truth so far off, what good will it do?

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh-oh, Jokerman

So swiftly, the sun sets in the sky
You rise up and say goodbye to no one
No store-bought shirt for you on your back
One of the womens must sit in the shack
And sew one

Shedding off one more layer of skin
Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh-oh-oh, Jokerman

You're a man of the mountains
You can walk on the clouds, manipulator of clouds
You're a dream twister
You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
But what do you care?
Ain't nobody there who'd want to marry your sister

Scratching the world with a fine-toothed comb
You are king among nations
You are a stranger at home

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh-oh, Jokerman

Now, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy
The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers
No crystal ball do you need on your shelf
Michelangelo himself could've carved out your features

So drunk, standing in the middle of the street
Directing traffic, with a small dog at your feet

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, Jokerman

Well, the preacherman's talking about the deaf and the dumb
And the world to come has already been predetermined
Nightsticks, water cannons, tear gas, padlocks
Molotov cocktails and rocks can't drown out his sermon

You let the wicked walk right into a trap
You give away all the good things that fall in your lap

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, Jokerman

It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray
A woman just gave birth to a prince today
And she's dressed in scarlet
He'll turn priests into pimps, and make old man bark
Take a woman that could've been Joan of Arc
And turn her into a harlot

Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants
Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, Jokerman