Pink Floyd - Matilda's Mother
Matilda's Mother

“Matilda's Mother” (Alternate version)    (Barrett, Belloc)
Matilda told such dreadful lies,
It made one gasp and stretch one's eyes.

Her Aunt, who from her earliest youth,
Had kept a strict regard for truth.

Oh what a drag,
Out with a bang.

Finding she was left alone,
Went tiptoe to the telephone and,
Summoned the immediate aid
Of London's Noble Fire Brigade.

There was a boy whose name was Jim,
His friends, they were very good to him,
They gave him tea, and cakes and jam,
And slices of delicious ham.

Oh what a drag.
Out with a bang.

Finding she was left alone,
Went tiptoe to the telephone and,
Summoned the immediate aid,
Of London's Noble Fire Brigade.

The chief defect of Henry King,
Was chewing little bits of string,
At last he swallowed some which tied,
Itself in ugly knots inside.

Oh what a drag,
Out with a bang.

Finding she was left alone,
Went tiptoe to the telephone and
Summoned the immediate aid,
Of London's Noble Fire Brigade.
Played during concerts in 1966 and 1967.  The lyrics were taken directly from a poem written by Hillaire Belloc.  Barrett was forced to rewrite the lyrics after the Belloc estate refused to grant permission. The revised version appears on The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.