"Rusholme Ruffians"
(Morrissey/Marr)

These lyrics are transcribed in light blue as they appear in the "Meat Is Murder" album and are reproduced here without permission. Variations between the printed lyrics and what is sung by Morrissey are indicated in darker text for additions and omissions are deleted.

The last night of the fair
by the big wheel generator
a boy is stabbed
and his money is grabbed
and the air hangs heavy like a dulling wine
she is Famous
she is Funny
an engagement ring
doesn't mean a thing
to a mind consumed by brass(money)
and though I walk home alone *
and I walk home alone*
but my faith in love is still devout *
the last night of the fair
from a seat on a whirling waltzer
her skirt ascends for a watching eye
it's a hideous trait (on her mother's side)
from a seat on a whirling waltzer
her skirt ascends for a watching eye
it's a hideous trait (on her mother's side)
and though I walk home alone *
and I walk home alone*
but my faith in love is still devout *
then someone falls in love
and someone's beaten up
someone's beaten up
and the senses being dulled are mine
and someone falls in love
and someone's beaten up
and the senses being dulled are mine
and though I walk home alone *
and I walk home alone*
but my faith in love is still devout *
this is the last night of the fair
and the grease in the hair
of a speedway operator
is all a tremulous heart requires
a schoolgirl is denied
she said: "How quickly would I die
if I jumped from the top of the parachutes?"
this is the last night of the fair
and the grease in the hair
of a speedway operator
is all a tremulous heart requires
a schoolgirl is denied
she said: "How quickly would I die
if I jumped from the top of the parachutes?"
so scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen *
(this means you really love me) *
scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen *
(this means you really love me) *
and though I walk home alone
I just might walk home alone
but my faith in love is still devout
I might walk home alone
but my faith in love is still devout
And I walk home alone
but my faith in love is still devout

 

In concerts from September 1985 to October 1986, this song was done as a medley with an intro from Elvis' "(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame". See here for lyrics.