These lyrics tell a vivid and somewhat dark story about the characters Benny and Sidney. Let's break it down line by line:
"Benny was the bouncer at the Palais de Dance"
This line introduces us to Benny, who works as a bouncer at a place called the Palais de Dance. It sets the stage for the story.
"He'd slash your granny's face up given half a chance."
This line suggests that Benny is a violent and dangerous character who wouldn't hesitate to harm someone, even an elderly person, if given the opportunity.
"He'd sell you back the pieces, all for less than half a quid"
This line implies that Benny would not only harm someone but also profit from their misfortune by selling the pieces of their belongings for a low price.
"He thought he was the meanest-"
Benny sees himself as a tough and mean individual, possibly because of his violent tendencies.
"Until he met with Savage Sid."
The introduction of Savage Sid implies that there's someone even more ruthless and violent than Benny.
"Now Sidney was a greaser with some nasty roots"
This line describes Sidney as a tough and rebellious character with a troubled background.
"He poured a pint of Guinness over Benny's boots"
Sidney's actions, pouring beer over Benny's boots, show his disregard for authority and willingness to provoke confrontation.
"Benny looked at Sidney:
Sidney stared right back in his eye."
This line portrays a tense moment where Benny and Sidney lock eyes, hinting at an impending conflict.
"Sidney chose a switchblade
And Benny got a cold meat pie."
Sidney's choice of a switchblade suggests he's prepared to fight, while Benny's response with a "cold meat pie" is unexpected and humorous in contrast to the violence implied.
"Oh! what a terrible sight,
Much to the people's delight.
One hell of a fight."
These lines describe the ensuing fight as both terrible and captivating to onlookers, emphasizing the brutality of the confrontation.
"Sidney grabbed a hatchet, buried it in Benny's head."
This line takes a very grim turn, with Sidney using a hatchet to inflict a severe injury on Benny.
"The people gasped as he bled:
The end of a Ted?"
This suggests that Benny might have met his end in this brutal confrontation, and the term "Ted" likely refers to the subculture of Teddy Boys known for their rebellious and violent behavior.
"Well, they dragged him from the wreckage of the Palais in bits.
They tried to stick together all the bits that would fit."
This part describes the aftermath of the fight, with Benny being severely injured and attempts to piece him back together.
"But some of him was missing
And 'part of him' arrived too late,"
This darkly humorous twist suggests that even in death, Benny's body was not fully intact, and a part of him arrived late, creating an absurd image.
"So now he works for Jesus
As the bouncer at St. Peter's Gate."
The final lines add a surreal and ironic twist, with Benny now working as a bouncer at the gates of heaven for Saint Peter. It's a darkly humorous ending to a story filled with violence and chaos.
Overall, these lyrics paint a gritty and somewhat absurd picture of Benny and Sidney's violent encounter, mixing elements of humor, brutality, and irony along the way.
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