jennifer's veil

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

So you've come back for Jennifer
You know, she hides her face behind a veil
I'm warning you Frankie, leave on the next train
Your Jennifer she just isn't the same
Quit waving that thing about! Come back!
Come back and give me a chance to explain
Your baby will never cry again.


So don't try to reach out
And don't let the ship's flag down
Point the figure-head at the storm
And drive her hard upon
Don't stop and don't stop
And don't let the veil drop
(Another ship ready to sail--the rigging is tight
Tight like Jennifer's veil).


She drew the curtain on her face
Ever since they came and burnt the old place down
Why is she searching through the ashes?
Why, only Jennifer knows that now.
And the officer, without a word,
Left all his junk and just moved out.


So don't try to reach out
And don't let the ship's flag down
Point the figure-head at the glass
Smash! Smash! into shards
Don't stop and don't touch!
And don't let the veil drop...behind Jennifer's veil


Oh God! Frankie! Is that really you!
Get back! Don't reach out!
Get back, and get that lantern out of my room!


Don't try to reach out
And don't let the ship's flag down
Down, down over her, like a shroud


And let her sail on the sea like a stone.
Don't touch and don't touch
And don't let the veil drop