NAME OF THE GAME [2] (Pete Ham)
[from Straight Up LP - recorded 1971 - released U.S. 1971 - released U.K. 1972]
[from Straight Up CD - recorded 1971 - released U.S. 1993]
[from Straight Up (DCC Compact Classics) 24k Gold CD - recorded 1971 - released U.S. 1995]
[from Straight Up remastered CD - recorded 1971 - released U.S. 2010]

Saw the railway master and I looked him in the eye
Said, "Would you go much faster if you thought that you would die?"
He said, "Not me sir, I could not care, in fact, I would not try
A protest would not take me far.
It's diff'rent, me not being a star."
Lock my feelings in a jar till another day

Oh, comfort me, dear brother, won't you tell me what you know?
For somewhere in this painful world is a place where I can go
Oh, long awaiting mother, is it time to make a show?
And take your babies to your breast
Though we never passed the test
All our sins should be confessed before we carry on

Oh, don't refuse me
If you choose me, you'll follow my shame
No, don't confuse me
For I know it's the name of the game

Got up off my pillow and I looked up at the sun
He said, "You can see quite clearly now, the things that we have done.
We've burned your sacred willow and our battles we have won
But did we get so very far?
It's diff'rent, me not being a star."
Lock my feelings in a jar till we go away

Oh, don't refuse me
If you choose me, you'll follow my shame
No, don't confuse me
For I know it's the name of the game

Oh, don't refuse me
If you choose me, you'll follow my shame
No, don't confuse me
For I know it's the name of the game

[piano solo (Pete Ham)]

lyrics transcribed by Tom Brennan
corrections thanks to Dan Matovina and Keith James

℗ The Estate of Peter William Ham (U.S. territory)
All rights administered by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing
Phone - (212) 247 6204
 
℗ Apple Publishing Ltd. (Rest Of World)
All rights administered by Warner/Chappell Music

NAME OF THE GAME (Pete Ham)
[from Straight Up CD (original version) - recorded 1971 - released U.S. 1993]
[from Straight Up (DCC Compact Classics) 24k Gold CD (original version) - recorded 1971 - released U.S. 1995]
[from Straight Up remastered CD (earlier version) - recorded 1971 - released U.S. 2010]

I saw the railway master and I looked him in the eye
Said, "Would you go much faster if you thought that you would die?"
He said, "Not me sir, I could not care, in fact, I would not try.
For protest would not take me far.
It's diff'rent, me not being a star."
I lock my feelings in a jar until another day

Oh, comfort me, dear brother, won't you tell me what you know?
For somewhere in this painful world is a place where I can go
Oh, long awaited mother, is it time to make a show?
And take your babies to your breasts
No, we never passed the test
And all our sins should be confessed before we carry on

Oh, don't refuse me
If you choose me, you'll follow my shame
No, don't confuse me
For I know it's the name of the game

I got up off my pillow and I looked up at the sun
Said, "You can see quite clearly now, the things that we have done
We've burned your sacred willow and our battles we have won.
But did we get so very far?
It's diff'rent, me not being a star."
I lock my feelings in a jar until we go away

Oh, don't refuse me
If you choose me, you'll follow my shame
No, don't confuse me
For I know it's the name of the game

Oh, don't refuse me
If you choose me, you'll follow my shame
No, don't confuse me
For I know it's the name of the game

lyrics transcribed by Tom Brennan
corrections thanks to Dan Matovina

℗ The Estate of Peter William Ham (U.S. territory)
All rights administered by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing
Phone - (212) 247 6204
 
℗ Apple Publishing Ltd. (Rest Of World)
All rights administered by Warner/Chappell Music