Should I Laugh Or Cry Lyrics

(B-side to 'One of Us', December 1981)

He stands towering over me beside my bed
Losing his head
Tells me I must take him seriously
Frowning 'pon the usual way
He's such a clever guy
Then I wonder, should I laugh or cry?

His presence in the striped pyjamas that I bought
Trousers too short
Gives me hours of philosophy
Carries on the way he does
And me I get so tired
And I wonder should I laugh or cry

I don't mind if his banner flies
A fool's pride in his eyes
Standing there on his toes to grow in size
All I see is a big belief
Halfway up to the end
He's wrapped up in the warm and sacred truth
Of an eternal lie
So should I laugh or cry?

Strange how dangerously indifferent I have grown
Cold as a stone
No more pain where there was pain before
Far away he rambles on
I feel my throat go dry
And I wonder, should I laugh or cry?

I don't mind if his banner flies
A fool's pride in his eyes
Standing there on his toes to grow in size
All I see is a big belief
Halfway up to the end
He's wrapped up in the warm and sacred truth
Of an eternal lie
So should I laugh or cry?