Broomstick Rhythm

(Partridge)

Jules Verne's Sketchbook

Recordings Art Lyrics Chords and Tablature

Recordings

1. Demo version.
   Released in November 1987 on the Jules Verne's Sketchbook cassette.

   Andy: “Started in the BIG EXPRESS sessions. But never finished much to my disappointment (I'm really fond of the lyrics!). This home demo with its theme of seasons never found favour with Dave or Colin. (It took ‘Season Cycle’ to do that.)”

   Also available on Fuzzy Warbles Volume Five.

   Andy: “We swept this around a bit for The Big Express album. Unfortunately nobody bristled with excitement so it was brushed off as being too big a whisk to put it on the record. The tremolo effect was achieved by plugging my guitar into an output of a cheap drum machine which, for some unexplained reason, produced a tempo-driven volume dipping thing. I like plugging stuff in the wrong holes, it's a hobby of mine.”

2. 2023 stereo mix, "guide vocal".
   Mixed and produced by Steven Wilson from the original multi-track tapes.
   Released on the reissue of The Big Express on 29 September 2023 in the U.K.
3. Demo version, 2023 remaster.
   Released on the reissue of The Big Express on 29 September 2023 in the U.K.

Art

Jules Verne's Sketchbook cover

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Lyrics

As you're sweeping
Autumn leaves up
You are sweeping
My fallen heart up with 'em
As you're sweeping
Autumn leaves up
You are sweeping
In swish-back broomstick rhythm

You're dressed in red
Your hair and head a brush of fire
To make leaves jealous or dead
Ordered to parade
Swayed by broomstick rhythm
Hey!

As you're sweeping
Winter snow up
They have fallen
For you so please forgive 'em
As you're sweeping
Winter snow up
You are sweeping
In swish-back broomstick rhythm

You're dressed in white
There is no fight only surrender
And an envy of you
melting drifts will rush
Brushed in broomstick rhythm
Hey! Hey!

As you're sweeping
Summer dust up
See it swirl
In homage making ribbons
As you're sweeping
Summer dust up
You are sweeping
In swish-back broomstick rhythm

You're dressed in blue
The sky and sun a hue more paler
Than the glow in your heart
I bask in your rays
Days of broomstick rhythm

As you're sweeping
Springtime rain up
You are sweeping
My tears up 'fore I live em
As you're sweeping
Springtime rain up
You are sweeping up
The dead remains
Of fears I had
About giving my heart
Away to somebody
For good

Chords and Tablature

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