The Guild League – Cosmetropolis (London Swings) lyrics

On a river where old money clings to the banks
There’s a nine-to-five army and I joined the ranks
It’ll beat you down if you don’t fight back
because London swings like a big grey axe

But live long enough and the city surprises
Up pops a palace amidst the highrises
High-art Imperial, strawberries and cream
London swings like a ball off the seam

Hard voices ring out along tenement streets
That are harsher than hail and sharper than sleet
Winter is wet and depressingly loud
London swings like a big grey cloud

But spring brings buds in a slow green tide
and summer sends people and pints outside
'Til the changing leaves of autumn burn
London swings like the seasons turn

This is older than Westminster Abbey and bigger than the dome
I’m going to use the knowledge of a London cabby to get me the fast way home
I’ll swing back to you sweet love of mine
Through the cosmetropolis estuarine

Through the working week we all grit our teeth
But there are fast trains travelling underneath
We’re drawn towards Friday, insects to the light
London swings into Saturday night

All over the city our lives carry on
Small hopes are defeated, small battles are won
As we swim through the fog and the fear and the feuds
London swings like a lover’s moods