The Who Songs - A Quick One While He's Away Lyrics

The Who - A Quick One While He's Away

The Who - A Quick One While He's Away Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: A Quick One
Released: 1966

A Quick One While He's Away Lyrics

Her mans been gone, for nigh on a year
He was due home yesterday, but he ain't here
Her mans been gone, for nigh on a year
He was due home yesterday, but he ain't here
Down your street, your crying is a well known sound
Your street is very well known. throughout your town
Your town is very famous for the little girl
Whose crying can be heard all around the world
We have a remedy, you'll appreciate
No need to be so sad, he's only late
We'll bring you flowers and things
Help pass your time
We'll give him eagles wings
Then he can fly to you
La la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy
Fa la la la la la la
We have a remedy?
We have!
Little girl guide
Why don't you stop your crying
Here comes Ivor the dirty old sooty engine driver to make you feel all right
Yeah, yeah!
My name is Ivor, I'm an engine driver
I know him well, I know why you feel blue
Just cause he's late, don't mean he'll never get through
He told me he loved you
He ain't no liar, I ain't either
So let's have a smile for an old engine driver
Let's have a smile for an old engine driver
Soon be home
Soon be home
We'll soon,
We'll soon, soon, soon be home
Soon be home
Soon be home oh yeah
We'll soon,
We'll soon, soon, soon be home
Soon be home
Soon be home
Dang, dang, dang, dang
Dang, dang, dang, dang
Cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello
Cello, cello, cello, cello
I can't believe it
Do my eyes deceive me
Am I back in your arms
Away from all harm
It's like a dream to be with you again
Aw!
Can't believe that I'm with you again
Ba ba, bo bo ba ba, ba ba
I missed you and I must admit
I've kissed a few and once did sit
On Ivor the engine driver's lap
And later with him had a nap
You are forgiven
You are forgiven
You are forgiven
You are forgiven
Know you're forgiven
Come on baby, baby forgiven
Know that you lied
Know you're forgiven
Know that you made me cry
Baby
You are forgiven
You know you're forgiven
You're all forgiven!

Writer/s: PETER TOWNSHEND
Publisher: T.R.O. INC.
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

A Quick One While He's Away

The Who had 10 minutes left to fill on the LP. Kit Lambert, The Who's manager, suggested to Pete Townshend that he write "something linear... perhaps a 10 minute song." Townshend responded by saying that rock songs are "2:50 by tradition!" Lambert then told Townshend that he should write a 10 minute story comprised of 2:50 songs.

The song was a "mini-opera," paving the way for the other mini-opera "Rael" and eventually full length rock operas Tommy and Quadrophenia.

The plot of the story is simple. A girl is sad that her boyfriend is away. Her friends suggest that she take a substitute lover, Ivor The Engine Driver. When the boyfriend returns, she confesses her infidelity and is forgiven.

The Who performed this on the Rolling Stones Rock And Roll Circus, which was going to be a TV special. It never aired on television but it was released on VHS in 1996 and DVD in 2004. The Who's performance of this was included in The Kids Are Alright, a 1979 film about The Who.

According to legend, Rock And Roll Circus didn't air because the Rolling Stones felt that they were showed up by The Who. Jethro Tull, Taj Mahal, Marianne Faithful, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, and Mitch Mitchell all appeared on Rock And Roll Circus.

A live version of this song appears on Live At Leeds and the soundtrack for The Kids Are Alright.

The Who wanted to put Cellos on the track but Kit Lambert said they couldn't afford it. So they sang "cello, cello, cello, cello," where the Who thought they should go.

This was used in the Wes Anderson film Rushmore starring Jason Shwartzman and Bill Murray.