Big House - Michael Penn

Without an invitation

it used to be more fun

surveillance through the dry bush

you knew the art of ring and run

and hid behind the t-bird

unless the door would open first

you had a talent for excuses…

an innocent who’d been coerced

you had to have it all rehearsed when

knocking at the big house

knocking at the big house

It always seemed the easiest

when it didn’t mean that much

though you welcomed competition

you had an ace no one could touch

but didn’t have a short clue

that this gift’s a given thing

call it camouflage or filthy rags

it was not enough to let it ring

you had to sign this offering by knocking at the big house

knocking at the big house

Now there’s nothing to conceal you

you come in from the front

the hedges have been cut back

and you’re much too old for scavenger hunt

maybe you’re collecting

donations for the cause

it may be now or never

so let it ring

don’t you pause

you are not breaking any laws when

knocking at the big house

knocking at the big house

keep your eye up to the keyhole

what do you see now

you’ll be knocking at the big house

knocking at the big house