*** SCIENCE ROCK *** (1978)

Telegraph Line

Key to symbols within the lyrics

There's a telegram for you ma'am,

And the message is clear:

It says there's something buggin' you

And buzzin' in your ear.

The results can be quite itchy,

So what is your reply?

<Tell your arm to swat that fly!>

Hey, there's a telegraph line

You got yours and I got mine.

It's called the "nervous system".

And every body understands

Those telegram commands,

And you know that everybody better listen.

<The central nervous system is the brain and the spine:

The brain controls the system,

And the spine is the line.

Telegrams come in to tell what's happening to you,

And telegrams go out to tell your body what to do.>

There's a telegram for you sir,

Better read it on the spot:

It says your hand is near a stove

That's very, very hot.

The results can be quite painful,

And there's no time to think...

<Quick! Pull that hand away and get it to the sink!>

There's a telegraph line

You got yours and I got mine.

It's called the "nervous system".

And every body understands

Those telegram commands,

And you know that everybody better listen.

<Your peripheral nerves, they go all out,

Delivering those messages

Your senses send out.

From your hearing and touch

To your sight and taste and smell,

It lets your brain react to all the messages they tell.>

There's a telegram for you kid,

And it's at an awful time:

It says you've got to go on stage

And you've forgot your lines.

You're gonna be embarassed,

'Cause this telegram's a rush,

Your heart starts beatin' faster... <And you blush!>

Hey, there's a telegraph line

You got yours and I got mine.

It's called the "nervous system".

And every body understands

Those telegram commands,

And you know that everybody better listen.

<The autonomic system has a hold of you,

Controlling automatically,

Some things that you do.

Your breathing and your heartbeat

Just go on, naturally

And when you're scared, you're nerves rev up the speed!>

Hey, there's a telegraph line

You got yours and I got mine.

It's called the "nervous system".

And every body understands

Those telegram commands,

And you know that everybody better listen.

Great thanks to:

David Strauss / dss2k@virginia.edu (PsiCop P12+ & B5 Waiter, Fresh Air)
Administrator, New York Islanders Mailing List