[ti:What It Is (Radio Edit)]
[ar:Mark Knopfler]
[al:]
it's what it is
what it is now…
[00:32.73]the drinking dens are spilling out
[00:34.57]there's staggering in the square
[00:36.52]there's lads and lasses falling about
[00:38.37]and a crackling in the air
[00:40.75]down around the dungeon doors
[00:42.40]the shelters and the queues
[00:44.40]everybody's looking for
[00:46.29]somebody's arms to fall into
[00:48.58]that's what it is
[00:51.52]it's what it is now
[00:55.95]there's frost on the graves and the monuments
[00:58.05]but the taverns are warm in town
[01:00.39]people curse the government
[01:02.04]and shovel hot food down
[01:04.28]lights are out in the city hall
[01:05.83]the castle and the keep
[01:07.87]the moon shines down upon it all
[01:09.71]the legless and asleep
[01:12.00]and it's cold on the tollgate
[01:13.75]with the wagons creeping through
[01:16.04]cold on the tollgate
[01:17.63]god knows what i could do with you
[01:19.48]that's what it is
[01:22.82]it's what it is now
[01:27.17]the garrison sleeps in the citadel
[01:29.67]with the ghosts and the ancient stones
[01:31.61]high on the parapet
[01:33.66]a scottish piper stands alone
[01:36.15]and high on the wind
[01:37.39]the highland drums begin to roll
[01:40.04]and something from the past just comes
[01:41.58]and stares into my soul
[01:43.52]and it's cold on the tollgate
[01:45.31]and the drums beat their tatoo
[01:47.71]cold on the tollgate
[01:49.25]god knows what i could do with you
[01:51.45]that's what it is
[01:54.69]it's what it is now
[01:58.93]what it is
[02:02.56]it's what it is now
[02:38.47]there's a chink of light
[02:39.42]there's a burning wick
[02:40.26]there's a lantern in the tower
[02:42.31]wee willie winkie with a candlestick
[02:44.06]still writing songs in the wee wee hours
[02:46.25]on charlotte street i take
[02:47.79]a walking stick for my hotel
[02:51.24]the ghost of dirty dick
[02:52.12]is still in search of little nell
[02:54.70]that's what it is
[03:09.66]it's what it is now