Name: Paper Tiger
Duration: P00H02M37S
Description: The earliest version of this goes back to the 80s, though I've never sung that version. Strangely, the last verse in particular reminded me so strongly of a Certain VSIP (Very Self-Important Person) that I had to revisit it this year.

Paper Tiger

from Cold Iron by David A. Harley

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about

The earliest version of this goes back to the 80s, though I've never sung that version. Strangely, the last verse in particular reminded me so strongly of a Certain VSIP (Very Self-Important Person) that I had to revisit it this year.

lyrics

Oh, you paper tiger,
Now see what you've done
You made your stand on shifting sand
And now begins the fun

Your bluff's been called at last
So what do you do now?
Now someone got the drop on you
And finally faced you down

Oh, you paper tiger… (x2)

Oh, you paper tiger
Now see what you've done
Every chamber emptied
And nowhere left to run

How could you forget
The only code that you lived by
To move so fast and talk so soft
And keep your powder dry?

Oh, you paper tiger… (x2)

Oh, you paper tiger
Now see what they've done
They've picked you clean and strung you up
To dry out in the sun

Oh, you bigshot bankrupt
You flamed-out flat-lined fake
They'll bake you in the ashes
Of your latest last mistake

Oh, you paper tiger … (x2)

credits

from Cold Iron, released July 22, 2021
Words & music by David A. Harley.
Guitar and vocal by David A. Harley

license

about

David A. Harley England, UK

David Harley is a former professional musician, administrator, IT security editor, author and researcher, and former much else that is even less impressive. He now lives in Cornwall. More info at whealalice.com