W H Auden - Victor lyrics

Victor was a little baby, Into this world he came; His father took him on his knee and said: 'Don't dishonour the family name.' Victor looked up at his father Looked up with big round eyes: His father said; 'Victor, my only son, Don't you ever ever tell lies.' Victor and his father went riding Out in a little dog-cart; His father took a Bible from his pocket and read; 'Blessed are the pure in heart.' It was a frosty December It wasn't the season for fruits; His father fell dead of heart disease While lacing up his boots. It was a frosty December When into his grave he sank; His uncle found Victor a post as cashier In the Midland Countries Bank. It was a frosty December Victor was only eighteen, But his figures were neat and his margins were straight And his cuffs were always clean. He took a room at the Peveril, A respectable boarding-house; And Time watched Victor day after day As a cat will watch a mouse. The clerks slapped Victor on the shoulder; 'Have you ever had woman?' they said, 'Come down town with us on Saturday night.' Victor smiled and shook his head. The manager sat in his office, Smoked a Corona cigar; Said: 'Victor's a decent fellow but He's too mousy to go far'. Victor went up to his bedroom, Set the alarum bell; Climbed into bed, took his Bible and read Of what happened to Jezebel. It was the First of April, Anna to the Peveril came; Her eyes, her lips, her breasts, her hips And her smile set men aflame. She looked as pure as a schoolgirl On her First Communion day, Both her kisses were like the best champagne When she gave herself away. It was the Second of April, She was wearing a coat of fur; Victor met her upon the stairs And he fell in love with her. The first time he made his proposal, She laughed, said 'I'll never wed'; The second time there was a pause, Then she smiled and shook her head. Anna looked into her mirror, Pouted and gave a frown; Said: 'Victor's as dull as a wet afternoon But I've got to settle down.' The third time he made his proposal, As they walked by the Reservoir, She gave him a kiss like a blow on the head, Said: 'You are my heart's desire.' They were married early in August, She said: 'Kiss me, you funny boy'; Victor took her in his arms and said: 'O my Helen of Troy.' It was the middle of September, Victor came to the office one day; He was wearing a flower in his bu*tonhole, He was late but he was gay. The clerks were talking of Anna, The door was just ajar, One said: 'Poor old Victor, but where ignorance Is bliss, etcetera.' Victor stood still as a statue, The door was just ajar; One said: 'God, what fun I had with her In that Baby Austin car.' Victor walked out into the High Street. He walked to the edge of town; He came to the allotments and the rubbish heaps And his tears came tumbling down. Victor looked up at the mountains, The mountains all covered with snow; Cried: 'Are you pleased with me, Father?' And the answer came back, 'No.' Victor came to the forest, Cried: 'Father, will she ever be true?' And the oaks and the beeches shook their heads And they answered: 'Not to you.' Victor came to the meadow Where the wind went sweeping by; Cried: 'O, Father, I love her so', But the wind said: 'She must die.' Victor came to the river Running so deep and so still; Crying: 'O Father, what shall I do?' And the river answered: 'k**.' Anna was sitting at table, Drawing cards from a pack; Anna was sitting at table Waiting for her husband to come back. It wasn't the Jack of Diamonds Not the joker she drew first; It wasn't the King or Queen of Hearts But the Ace of Spades reversed. Victor stood in the doorway, He didn't utter a word; She said: 'What's the matter, darling?' He behaved as if he hadn't heard. There was a voice in his left ear, There was a voice in his right, There was a voice at the base of his skull Saying: 'She must die tonight.' Victor picked up a carving-knife, His features were set and drawn, Said: 'Anna, it would have been better for you If you had not been born.' Anna jumped up from the table, Anna started to scream, But Victor came slowly after her Like a horror in a dream. She dodged behind the sofa, She tore down a curtain rod, But Victor followed her up the stairs And he caught her at the top. He stood there above the body, He stood there holding the knife; And the blood ran down the stairs and sang: 'I'm the Resurrection and the Life.' They tapped Victor on the shoulder, They took him away in a van; He sat as quite as a lump of moss Saying: 'I am the Son of Man.' Victor sat in a corner Making a woman of clay, Saying: 'I am Alpha and Omega, I shall come To judge the earth some day.'