"Chalkhills and Children" is a song by Andy Partridge. It appeared on the 1989 album Oranges & Lemons.
The demo appeared on Andy's Fuzzy Warbles Volume 8 in 2006.
Quotes[]
Andy: “This is largely about my rejection of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. I'm mundane. I like to gravitate toward the kids, privateness. I'm not into fame at all. When I get a slightly swelled head, it's nice to be punctured and drift down to earth and become stable again. Show business is really a dream and not what life's about. Life's about the glorious everyday. It's not really me when I'm treated like a famous person. This is real-life. Earth-colored.”
Andy (on the demo): “Which brings us dear listener to what many people consider to be XTC's theme tune. Mojo Magazine voted it into the Top 50 Best British Tracks ever. How nice, they must have got the cheque then. A four track cassette capture for the Oranges, this is a basic ‘all that's needed’ type of demo — does what it says on the balloon.
Lyrics[]
I'm floating over strange land,
It's a soulless, sequined, showbiz moon
I'm floating over strange land,
And then stranger still, there's no balloon
But I'm getting higher,
Wafted up by fame's fickle fire 'til the...
Chalkhills and children,
Anchor my feet
Chalkhills and children,
Bringing me back to earth,
Eternally and ever Ermine Street
(Even I never know where I go when my eyes are closed)
I'm skating over thin ice,
Upon blunted blades of metal soft
I'm skating over thin ice,
While some nonesuch net holds me aloft
But I'm getting higher,
Lifted up on lucks' circus wire 'til the...
Chalkhills and children,
Anchor my feet
Chalkhills and children,
Bringing me back to earth,
Eternally and ever Ermine Street
Even I never know where I go when my eyes are closed
Even I never spied that the scenes were posed
Even I never knew this is what I'd be
Even eyes never mean that you're sure to see
Still I'm getting higher,
Rolling up on three empty tyres, 'til the...
Chalkhills and children,
Anchor my feet
Chalkhills and children,
Bringing me back to earth,
Eternally and ever Ermine Street
I'm soaring over hushed crowds,
The reluctant cannonball it seems
I'm soaring over hushed crowds,
I'm propelled up here by long dead dreams
Still I'm getting higher,
Icarus regrets and retires puzzled
Chalkhills and children,
Anchor my feet
Chalkhills and children,
Oddly complete
(Even I never know where I go when my eyes are all closed)
Here I go again