Lyr Req: This for That (Rod Paterson)

Subject: Lyr Req: This for that
From: Wolfgang
Date: 29 Jul 04 - 07:55 AM

The "Easy Club" on their recording "Chance or design" play this song. I have difficulties understanding the lyrics. Perhaps someone can help?

The chorus starts: This for that, tit for tit

And I've found the first verse on the web:

They say it is money that buys your body
and it is love that buys your soul
When they sell you, hope to hell
they sell you whole

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: This for that
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Jul 04 - 09:18 PM

I found a sound sample at a German website. To play it, go to Tarang CD Shop, then click on "Weltmusik" in the left frame, then "Neuheiten" in the right frame, then go to the bottom of the center frame. A description of "Chance or Design" will be in the left column. Click on "Hörbeispiele | Bestellen" below that. On the next page, click on "3" opposite the logo for either Media Player or Real Player. Here's what I think I heard:

"Friday night and Saturday morning, you'll kick off your shoes.
Saturday night helps a Sunday fight off the Monday morning blues."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: This for that
From: Wolfgang
Date: 03 Aug 04 - 04:01 PM

Thanks, Jim, that's more help than you may think, for I had the second line you posted completely scrambled in my first attempt. It makes sense now. I think I'll try another transcription when I shall be home again. If I'm half contented I'll post it.

Wolfgang

Subject: Lyr Add: THIS FOR THAT (Rod Paterson)
From: Cluin
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 09:50 PM

I was listening to my old vinyl copy of "Chance or Design" today and I remembered this old request.

Here's what I think I hear (with a couple of uncertain words in parentheses). This song has a great swinging Hot Club feel and a bodhran played with brushes.


This For That
Rod Paterson

They say it's money that buys your body
And it's love that buys your soul
When they sell you, hope to hell
They sell you whole

This for that, tit for tat
Makes a man a fatter cat
Doesn't seem to matter that
It leaves him on the dole

Idleness to leisure
It's a penny to a pound
No one less needs less to do
Than when he's down

This for that, tit for tat
Makes a man a fatter cat
Doesn't seem to scatter that
Much happiness around

[bridge 1]
Friday night and Saturday morning
You'll kick off your shoes
Saturday night helps a Sunday fight off
The Monday morning blues

[Django-esque guitar break]

[bridge 2]
Nobody threw the lever
Nobody pulled the pin
Nobody tripped the switch
That let the party begin
Nobody checked the freezer
Nobody had the Grouse
Nobody said the cocktails
Weren't on the house

America's hot potato is the apple of her eye
Russia knows her onions when the (mottos) fly

This for that, tit for tat
Makes a man a fatter cat
Doesn't seem to matter that
(His missiles) fill the sky

[bridge 1 again]
Friday night and Saturday morning
You'll kick off your shoes
Saturday night makes a Sunday fight off
The Monday morning blues

It's money that buys your body
And it's love that buys your soul
When they sell you, hope to hell
They sell you whole

This for that, tit for tat
Makes a man a fatter cat
Doesn't seem to matter that
It heaves him on
Yes, sees him on
And leaves him on the dole

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: This for That (Rod Paterson)
From: Cluin
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 09:31 PM

Possibly the lines are:


"Russia knows her onions when the (myrtles) fly"

and

"(His mushrooms) fill the sky"


Though they don't make much sense that way either.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: This for That (Rod Paterson)
From: Wolfgang
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 11:37 AM

Cluin,

what a nice surprise coming back from a vacation break. I had tried once more a transcription early this year but I had to give up with too many unfilled lines and halflines.

When I'll be back where my turntable is, I'll listen again.

A very grateful Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: This for That (Rod Paterson)
From: Wolfgang
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 08:39 AM

I have listened now to this song with its beautiful tune.

I go with "Mushroom" and very tentatively "mytles" could be "mortars".
Thanks once again.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: This for That (Rod Paterson)
From: GUEST,Detlev
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 10:13 AM

Couldn't that be Tomatoes? Would make sense in the vegetable context, wouldn't it? Thanks for the lyrics, seems like I have missed some verses. Has anybody got chords for this?

Detlev

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: This for That (Rod Paterson)
From: GUEST,Tom Foxe
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 04:49 PM

If two different people buy your body and your soul, these items will be separated, so the lyrics simply suggest that it's best to keep them together. And considering the reference to missiles, "mushrooms" will presumably mean mushroom clouds - nuclear missiles make mushroom clouds, don't they ? Anyway, since when did song lyrics have to make sense ? The most successful songs often seem to make very little sense. Besides, in a confusing world, confusing lyrics are realistic, I think.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: This for That (Rod Paterson)
From: GUEST,Wendy Collings
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 01:06 AM

I have a version with fairly clear lyrics. I'm certain of the following:

"Russia knows her onions when tomatoes fly" and "Doesn't seem to matter that hate mushrooms fill the sky"

("America's hot potato" is nuclear capability. To "know your onions" means to know what's what. "Hate Mushrooms" are mushroom-shaped nuclear explosions.)

I also think that it's "Nobody hit the grouse" (not "had") - a grouse is a game bird killed for both food and sport.

Subject: Lyr Add: THIS FOR THAT (Rod Paterson)
From: Wolfgang
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 09:02 AM

With many thanks for the corrections. I have put them into the version below.

Wolfgang

THIS FOR THAT
Rod Paterson

They say it's money that buys your body
And it's love that buys your soul
When they sell you, hope to hell
They sell you whole

This for that, tit for tat
Makes a man a fatter cat
Doesn't seem to matter that
It leaves him on the dole

Idleness to leisure
It's a penny to a pound
No one less needs less to do
Than when he's down

This for that, tit for tat
Makes a man a fatter cat
Doesn't seem to scatter that
Much happiness around

[bridge 1]
Friday night and Saturday morning
You'll kick off your shoes
Saturday night helps a Sunday fight off
The Monday morning blues

[Django-esque guitar break]

[bridge 2]
Nobody threw the lever
Nobody pulled the pin
Nobody tripped the switch
That let the party begin
Nobody checked the freezer
Nobody hit the grouse
Nobody said the cocktails
Weren't on the house

America's hot potato is the apple of her eye
Russia knows her onions when tomatoes fly

This for that, tit for tat
Makes a man a fatter cat
Doesn't seem to matter that
hate mushrooms fill the sky

[bridge 1 again]
Friday night and Saturday morning
You'll kick off your shoes
Saturday night makes a Sunday fight off
The Monday morning blues

It's money that buys your body
And it's love that buys your soul
When they sell you, hope to hell
They sell you whole

This for that, tit for tat
Makes a man a fatter cat
Doesn't seem to matter that
It heaves him on
Yes, sees him on
And leaves him on the dole

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: This for That (Rod Paterson)
From: GUEST,Cluin
Date: 28 Jun 09 - 11:46 PM

"Grouse" refers to that Famous Scotch Whisky, I think, so "had" fits.

But I think you are correct about "tomatoes" (it was the different pronounciation that threw me) and "hate mushrooms" though.