For Richard, For Paula - the pannacotta army

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The tune and chords came almost instantly as I was reading Stephen's lyrics. The assembly and arrangement took a while longer. I do have a tendency to sometimes throw too much at a production but whether that's the case here, I don't know - acoustic guitar, mandolin, autoharp, melodica, harmonica - hmmm maybe - I think it sounds okay but interesting to see what others think. Some of the lyrical phrasing may sound a little forced. I had to go a bit awkward with some lines to get them to scan with the melody. Overall though, I quite like this one - possibly a bit 1970s musically and a tad theatrical, but I really like the melancholy theme of the story and as usual there's always something clever and witty to enjoy in Stephen's words. Richard and Paula Two souls in Fairfax Where there's both a right And wrong side of the tracks No matter which side you're on Sometimes life sucks If you're making six figures Or making six bucks And life's chorus sings Its perpetual verse For Richard, For Paula It's better and worse Richard and Paula Swept up the dance Of reels of sevens Flirtations with chance For Richard, it's nothing A drop in the cup From where Paula's coming from Nothing is up A chance for to lighten Or empty your purse For Richard, For Paula It's better and worse Richard and Paula Sign up for a shift Of shopping around In a manner of thrift For Richard, it's modest Creative and pretty For Paula, necessity Yours for to pity A chance for a dollar Or two to disburse For Richard, For Paula It's better and worse And once in a near-inescapable while They'll find themselves down, looking up with a smile While clutching a bottle, once purchased with style From a leisurely walk down the alcohol aisle Where Richard, his cheeks round and red as a cherry Will then be remembered as company merry The portrait of Paula perhaps more unpleasant - Impoverished drunk, insignificant peasant Richard and Paula Lived near, but not close Til the day they each swallowed An excess of dose How the world mourned for Richard! And every heart hurt But good riddance to Paula Her fate her desert And nothing shall break This invincible curse For Richard, For Paula It's better and worse And life's chorus sings Its perpetual verse For Richard, For Paula It's better and worse