Homburg

Album: Greatest Hits (1967)
Charted: 6 34
Play Video
  • Your multilingual business friend
    Has packed her bags and fled
    Leaving only ash-filled ashtrays
    And the lipsticked unmade bed
    The mirror on reflection
    Has climbed back upon the wall
    For the floor she found descended
    And the ceiling was too tall

    Your trouser cuffs are dirty
    And your shoes are laced up wrong
    You'd better take off your homburg
    'Cause your overcoat is too long

    The town clock in the market square
    Stands waiting for the hour
    When its hands they both turn backwards
    And on meeting will devour
    Both themselves and also any fool
    Who dares to tell the time
    And the sun and moon will shatter
    And the signposts cease to sign

    Your trouser cuffs are dirty
    And your shoes are laced up wrong
    You'd better take off your homburg
    'Cause your overcoat is too long

    Your trouser cuffs are dirty
    And your shoes are laced up wrong
    You'd better take off your homburg
    'Cause your overcoat is too long

    Oh, your trouser cuffs are dirty
    And your shoes are laced up wrong
    You'd better take off your Homburg
    'Cause your overcoat is too long

    Your trouser cuffs are dirty Writer/s: GARY BROOKER, KEITH REID
    Publisher: Peermusic Publishing, T.R.O. INC.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

  • Timbul Manurung from IndonesiaLife must go on
  • Barbara Atherton from BridlingtonHaving recently watched the excellent Jeremy Thorpe Scandal drama, I can only associate Homburg with an awful image of Thorpe wearing that mark of his class. Really, he should have been dripping with shame (overcoat too long). He needed to resign (remove that hat). His multi-lingual business friend leaving a lipsticked unmade bed seems an acceptable lyrical metaphor for the vaselined sheets of the Norman Scott episode but also for the whole shameful denouement.
    Or the words could be adapted to any one of the despicable sexual scandals uncovered in the '60's and beyond that politicians always seem able to weasel their way out of.

    My analysis only makes this wonderful song more powerful to me.
  • Ben Dirks from Nijmegen, -I just love this song [better than the generally acknowledged "Whiter shade" ... It is of course the great melody and the [like Shade] completely uncomprehendible lyrics; nice imagery thuogh ...
  • Lester from New York City, NyI was a big fan of Procol Harum during the Trower years. They produced some great albums. Would love for a few more of their songs to be listed in here, "In Held 'Twas In I" in particular.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

David Bowie Lyrics Quiz

David Bowie Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

How well do you know your David Bowie lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song Titles

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song TitlesMusic Quiz

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have some rather unusual song titles - see if you can spot the real ones.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?