"Heroes and Villains" — from the SMiLE sessions (1967). A mosaic of American mythology. Van Dyke Parks' most ambitious lyric.
I've been in this town so long that back in the city
I've been taken for lost and gone
And unknown for a long long time
Fell in love years ago
With an innocent girl
From the Spanish and Indian home
Home of the heroes and villains
Once at night Catillian squared the fight
And she was right in the rain of the bullets that eventually brought her down
But she's still dancing in the night
Unafraid of what a dude'll do in a town full of heroes and villains
Heroes and villains
Just see what you've done
Heroes and villains
Just see what you've done
Stand or fall I know there
Shall be peace in the valley
And it's all an affair
Of my life with the heroes and villains
My children were raised
You know they suddenly rise
They started slow long ago
Head to toe healthy weathy and wise
I've been in this town so long
So long to the city
I'm fit with the stuff
To ride in the rough
And sunny down snuff I'm alright
By the heroes and
Heroes and villains
Just see what you've done
Heroes and villains
Just see what you've done
Знаете ли вы, что...
- From the SMiLE sessions (1966-67). Released as a single in 1967 after the SMiLE album was abandoned. Van Dyke Parks' lyrics and Brian Wilson's fragmented, modular composition represent their most ambitious collaborative work.