The Wall Of Death

The Wall Of Death Lyric by Clive James, music by Pete Atkin
The Head Man had a bad breath From riding on the Wall of Death And when he held his gloves out they were smoking And I knew I was through joking Put your money where your mouth is I knew I was through joking He said "Okeydoke, my armchair hero Let's see if you're equal to the task Put your money where your mouth is Take off your face, we'd like to see the mask The Wall of Death Is a time of truth" The Head Man had a crushed walk From a crumpled telescopic fork And where his helmet stopped his hair was soaking And I knew I was through joking Put your money where your mouth is I knew I was through joking He said "It's nothing, riding on the rollers Just drumming up thunder for the crowds Put your money where your mouth is The Wall drills for oil in the clouds The Wall of Death Is a time of truth It's an act of faith" The Head Man spoke a harsh word In the cruellest voice I ever heard He talked like a baby tiger choking And I knew I was through joking Put your money where your mouth is I knew I was through joking He said "Rest your hand against the woodwork Feel how the wheels have made it warm Put your money where your mouth is The Wall is the socket for the eyeball of the storm The Wall of Death Is an act of faith It's a shriek of wrath At the loss of youth"