Swans

by Clive James and Pete Atkin

The swans in the night
Have a way of sleeping
That's rather surprising
To anyone walking nearby

And I in the night
Have a way of weeping
That's rather disturbing
To anyone talking

For I couldn't care how I sound
And the swans couldn't care how they appear
They just stand around with their heads under one wing
And it's touching to see, and then there is me

Like a swan in the night
I'm just as surprising
And twice as disturbing
To anyone walking

For I couldn't care how I sound
And the swans, well at least they're in repose
Their necks loop around like the handle of a jug
And it's snug I suppose, and then there is me

Like a swan in the night
I'm just as surprising
And twice as disturbing
To anyone talking

For the swans have a strange way of sleeping
And this is just no way to cry