A Dream Of Fair Women

by Clive James and Pete Atkin

When I think of what passes in this world
For a merciful regard to mute appeals
And all the wheels of justice turning smoothly
Through the haze of clever deals and smell of burning
A dream of fair women
A dream of fair women soothes me

And when I think of the paid liars in this world
Their bulging files and alley-cat ideals
And all of the good they sally forth to sully
Through the buzz of wheels in wheels and glare of smiles
A dream of fair women
A dream of fair women lulls me

And I dream the dream of fair women
Like many a poor mental refugee
Like many a sad madcap before me

When I think of what passes in this world
And how the liars help to get it done
With a hint not to disturb oneself unduly
Through the teeming ashen air between the fires
A dream of fair women
A dream of fair women cools me

And I dream the dream of fair women
Like many a Casanova past his prime
Like many an old roué out of time

When I think of what passes in this world
And how the liars help to get it done
With a hint not to disturb oneself unduly
Through the teeming ashen air between the fires
Far from my thoughts but close to my desires
A dream of fair women
A dream of fair women cools me
A dream of fair women
A dream of fair women cools me
Cools me
Rules me