Shirin and Fahrad

Studio CD: It's Time For Jonathan Richman, ¡Jonathan, te vas a emocionar!
Single: I'm Just Beginning To Live
Informal Bootleg: The Lost LP
Radio Bootleg: Shauberg
Live Bootleg: Gaspars 1979 (2), The International House, The Catalyst, The Bottom Line, Lone Star Cafe, Torino 1985, Live at the Riverside, San Fran 1986
It's Time For Jonathan Richman

Chordpro

Well [G] way down in ancient Persia
Yeah A [C] long, long time a[D]go
We have the [G] story of Shirin and uh Fahrad
And I [C] thought you might want to [D] know
'Cause [C] Shirin, pretty [D] Shirin,
Had a [Am] real McCoy lover in her young [G] Fahrad

[C][D][G][D]

Well pretty [G] Shirin had to live with the Shah
But she [C] went for a walk one [D] day
Well there were [G] thousands of workmen out diggin'oh
But [C] none dared to look her [D] way
Un[G]til she came to young Fahrad
Whose little [C] heart had been set all a[D]flame
He called out [G] "Shirin, I love you"
And she felt [C] loved when he called her [D] name
Oh, 'cause [C] Shirin, pretty [D] Shirin,
Had a [Am] real Mccoy lover in her young [G] Fahrad

[C ]Waa-[D]oo, yeah, in her [G] Fahrad [D]

You see her [G] heart had already been won -uh
But she had to [C] put her boy to the [D] test
She said "See those [G] mountains - dig me a tunnel
And I'll [C] know you love Shirin the [D] best"
Oh yeah, 'cause [C] Shirin, pretty [D] Shirin,
Had a [Am] real Mccoy lover in her [G] Fahrad

[C] Oh [D] yeah, yeah, in her [G] Fahrad [D]

Well look, he [G] didn't say "Suppose she's kiddin'"
A-and he [C] didn't say "Suppose it [D] rains"
And he [G] didn't say "A tunnel, you can't do that"
He just started [C] shovelin' and callin' her [D] name
Oh yeah, 'cause [C] Shirin, oh [D] Shirin,
Had a [Am] real Mccoy lover in her young [G] Fahrad

Oh [C] yeah, [D] yeah, in her [G] Fahrad [D]

Each [G] stroke it worked a little miracle
Ok each [C] stroke did the work of ten [D] men
That's right a [G] lover McCoy this Fahrad
May not [C] grace this grove a[D]gain
Oh yeah, well [C] Shirin, pretty [D] Shirin,
Had a [Am] real Mccoy lover in her [G] Fahrad

Oh [C]yeah,[D] in her [G] Fahrad [D]

Yeah,Well now the [G] Shah by this point they were startin' to get worried
They were thinkin' [C] how're we gonna keep Shi[D]rin
The advisor just said [G] "Tell Fahrad that his Shirin has died
We won't be [C] worried 'bout that boy a[D]gain"
Oh yeah, [C] Shirin, oh [D] Shirin,
Has a [Am] real Mccoy lover in her young [G] Fahrad

Oh [C] yeah, [D] yeah, in her [G] Fahrad [D]

Now [G] Fahrad believed their words
And he [C] had no more to [D] give
Well he had no [G] way of knowing
Where she was and he [C] lost the will to [D] live
Oh yeah, [C] Shirin, oh [D] Shirin,
Had a [Am]real Mccoy lover in her [G] Fahrad

Well, when the animals saw [G] Shirin discover a dead Fahrad
Their little [C] hearts were completely up[D]tore
They said "Look we [G] loved him too, Shirin,
We thought they didn't [C] make 'em like your boy any[D]more"
Oh yeah, [C] Shirin, pretty [D] Shirin,
Had a [Am] real Mccoy lover in her [G] Fahrad

[C][D]in her [G]Fahrad[D]

Well when [G] Shirin heard the little birds words
She [C] knew that they knew the [D] score
So she [G] just laid down by her Fahrad's side
And she died, not [C] yearn (80 years?) any[D]more
Oh yeah, because [C] Shirin, pretty [D] Shirin,
Had a [Am] real Mccoy lover in her young [G] Fahrad

Yeah, [C] Shirin, pretty [D] Shirin
Has a [Am] real McCoy lover in [G] Fahrad

Lyrics

Well way down in ancient Persia
Yeah A long, long time ago
We have the story of Shirin and uh Fahrad
And I thought you might want to know
'cause Shirin, pretty Shirin,
had a real McCoy lover in her young Fahrad

Well pretty Shirin had to live with the Shah
but she went for a walk one day
well there were thousands of workmen out diggin'oh
but none dared to look her way
until she came to young Fahrad
Whose little heart had been set all aflame
He called out "Shirin, I love you"
and she felt loved when he called her name
Oh, 'cause Shirin, pretty Shirin,
had a real Mccoy lover in her young Fahrad

Waa-oo, yeah, in her Fahrad

You see her heart had already been won -uh
but she had to put her boy to the test
She said "See those mountains - dig me a tunnel
and I'll know you love Shirin the best"
Oh yeah, 'cause Shirin, pretty Shirin,
had a real Mccoy lover in her Fahrad

Oh yeah, yeah, in her Fahrad

Well look, he didn't say "Suppose she's kiddin'"
a-and he didn't say "Suppose it rains"
and he didn't say "A tunnel, you can't do that"
He just started shovelin' and callin' her name
Oh yeah, 'cause Shirin, oh Shirin,
had a real Mccoy lover in her young Fahrad

Oh yeah, yeah, in her Fahrad

Each stroke it worked a little miracle
ok each stroke did the work of ten men
That's right a lover McCoy this Fahrad
may not grace this grove again
Oh yeah, well Shirin, pretty Shirin,
had a real Mccoy lover in her Fahrad

Oh yeah, in her Fahrad

yeah,Well now the Shah by this point they were startin' to get worried
They were thinkin' how're we gonna keep Shirin
The advisor just said "Tell Fahrad that his Shirin has died
We won't be worried 'bout that boy again"
Oh yeah, Shirin, oh Shirin,
has a real Mccoy lover in her young Fahrad

Oh yeah, yeah, in her Fahrad

Now Fahrad believed their words
and he had no more to give
well he had no way of knowing
Where she was and he lost the will to live
Oh yeah, Shirin, oh Shirin,
had a real Mccoy lover in her Fahrad

Well, when the animals saw Shirin discover a dead Fahrad
Their little hearts were completely uptore
They said "Look we loved him too, Shirin,
we thought they didn't make 'em like your boy anymore"
Oh yeah, Shirin, pretty Shirin,
had a real Mccoy lover in her Fahrad

in her Fahrad

Well when Shirin heard the little birds words
She knew that they knew the score
So she just laid down by her Fahrad's side
and she died, not yearn (80 years?) anymore
Oh yeah, because Shirin, pretty Shirin,
had a real Mccoy lover in her young Fahrad

Yeah, Shirin, pretty Shirin
has a real McCoy lover in Fahrad

¡Jonathan, te vas a emocionar!

Lyrics

Por Persia ya saben los nombres Shirin y Farad,
En este cuento de amor se puede ver la eternidad
Shirin Shirin un amante sincero es tu Farad
Shirin obligada por el rey, se fue a caminar
Ningun esclavo lavando se atrevia a mirar
Cuando se encontro con Farad ya tan enamorado
Llamo Shirin te quiero el miedo se ha olvidado

Shirin impresionada, tenia que saber
Hazme un tunel por alla, si es tan cierto tu querer

Cavo y que milagro, cada golpe como diez,
Un amante como Farad no veremos otra vez,
Los animales querian a Farad y naturaleza ayudo
Los pajaros cantaron Shirin y el viento suspiro

El rey penso, ¿Como ese amor parar?
Diganle que Shirin murio y ese hombre no volvera

Que Shirin vivia, no pudo advinir
Su vida se apago porque no pudo aceptar

Cuando Shirin descubrio su Farad
Los animales dijeron sinceros
Lo quisimos tambien Shirin
Era un amante verdadero

English Translation

Way down in ancient Persia
A long, long time ago
We have the story of Shirin and Fahrad
And I thought you might want to know
Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Had a real McCoy lover in her young Fahrad

Pretty Shirin had to live with the Shah
But she went for a walk one day
There were thousands of workmen out diggin', oh,
But none dared to look her way
Until she came to young Fahrad
Whose heart had been set all aflame
He called out "Shirin, I love you"
And she felt loved when he called her name,
Shirin, pretty Shirin
Had a real Mccoy lover in Fahrad

Her heart had already been won-nel,
But she had to put this boy to the test;
"See those mountains?
Dig me a tunnel
And I'll know you love Shirin the best"
Oh Shirin, pretty Shirin
Had a real McCoy lover in Fahrad,

He didn't say
"Suppose she's kiddin'"
And he didn't say "suppose it rains"
And he didn't say, "a tunnel? You can't do that"
He just started shoveling and callin' her name
For Shirin, pretty Shirin
Had a real McCoy lover in Fahrad

Each stroke, it worked a little miracle
each stroke did the work of ten men
A lover McCoy o' this Fahrad
May not grace these groves again,
Oh Shirin, pretty Shirin
Had a real McCoy lover in Fahrad

Now, the Shah, et-cet-er-a
were gettin' worried
"How are we gonna' keep Shir-in?"
The advisor just said "Tell Fahrad that his Shirin has died
And we won't be worried by that boy again,"
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin,
Had a real McCoy lover in Fahrad

Fahrad believed their words
he had no more to give
he had no way of knowing
Where she was and he lost the will to live
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin,
Had a real McCoy lover in Fahrad

When the animals saw Shirin discover a dead Fahrad
Their little hearts were completely up-tore
"We loved him, too, Shirin
We thought they didn't make 'em that way no more"
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin,
Had a real McCoy lover in Fahrad

The Lost LP

Lyrics

Way down in ancient Persia
A long, long time ago
Well We have the story of Shirin and Fahrad
And I thought you'd might want to know
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin
You sure got a lover in mighty Fahrad

Well
Pretty Shirin had to live with the Shah
But she went for a walk one day
Well there were thousands of workmen all a diggin oh
And none dared to look her way
Until she came to young Fahrad
His little heart had been set all aflame
He called out "Oh Shirin, I love you"
And she felt loved when he called her name
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin
You've sure got a lover in Fahrad

Well her heart had already been won o
But she had to put this boy to the test
She said "See those mountains - dig me a tunnel
And I'll know you love Shirin best"
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin
You've sure got a lover in Fahrad

Well, he didn't say "Suppose she's kiddin'"
And he didn't say well "Suppose it rains"
And he didn't say "well that looks tricky"
He just started shovelin' and callin' her name
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin
You've sure got a lover in Fahrad

Now the townsfolk talked about Fahrad
You know their own lives were such a bore
They said "that boy sure fell for Shirin"
"We thought they didn't make them like him anymore"
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin
You've sure got a lover in Fahrad

Now everybody fell for Fahrad
Mother nature helped him along
He had the trees and the wind calling Shirin
He had the birdies there singing his song
They sang "Shirin, oh Shirin"
"You've sure got a lover in Fahrad"

Now the Shah had said ?? they all were worried
Cause they were thinking "how will we keep our pretty Shirin?"
One of his advisors said "Tell Fahrad that his Shirin's done died"
"And we won't be worried by that boy again"
Oh woh cause Shirin, because they knew that Shirin
They knew she surely had a lover in Fahrad

And they killed him and he died
(Cause he thought Shirin was dead)
(She went out to see him and what happened was as follows)
When the animals saw Shirin discover her dead Fahrad
Their little hearts were completely uptore
They said "we loved him too, Shirin"
We thought they didn't make them like him anymore
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin
You've sure got a lover in Fahrad

In Fahrad
Well, when Shirin heard the birdies words
She knew they just plain knew the score
So she just laid down by Fahrad's side
And died so as not to yearn for this man no more
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin
You've sure got a lover
You've got the real kind of lover in Fahrad

Shauberg

Lyrics

Way down
Well way down in ancient Persia
A long, long time ago
We have the story of Shirin and Fahrad
And I thought you might want to know
You see
Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Had a real McCoy lover in her young Fahrad

Pretty Shirin had to live with the Shah
But she went for a walk one day
She saw thousands of workmen out diggin'oh
But none dared look her way
Until she came to young Fahrad
Whose little heart had been set all aflame
He called out "Shirin, I love you"
And she felt loved when he called her name
Oh yeah,
Shirin, Shirin,
You've got a real Mccoy lover in your young Fahrad

Now her heart had already been won -uh
But she had to put that boy to a test
She said "See those mountains - dig me a tunnel
And that way I'll know you love Shirin the best"
Oh yeah,
Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Had a real Mccoy lover in her Fahrad

In Fahrad

All right

Now Fahrad didn't say "hmmm Suppose she's kiddin'"
And he didn't say "hmm tunnel, Suppose it rains"
And he didn't say "for me just by myself dig A tunnel, I can't" he didn't say that
He just started digging and callin' her name
He had feeling
Shirin, pretty Shirin,
You have a real Mccoy lover in your young man Fahrad

[But Jonathan, that's pretty impossible, how'd this happen?]

Each stroke it worked a little miracle
Each stroke did the work of ten men
Oh a lover of the McCoy of this Fahrad
May not grace that grove again
Oh yeah,
Shirin, pretty Shirin,
You have a real Mccoy lover in your Fahrad
You have a real Mccoy lover in your Fahrad

Now
The animals start to take to young Fahrad
And Mother nature started to help him along
He had the trees and the wind calling Shirin
He had the birdies taking up his song
Oh,
Shirin, oh Shirin,
You have a real Mccoy lover in your Fahrad

[Well I thought she lived with the Shah Jonathan, what about that? How'd she get around that?
Well]

The Shah etcetera were startin' to get worried
They were thinkin' "hmm, if he builds that tunnel
How are we gonna keep Shirin?"
One of the advisors just said "look why don't you just tell young Fahrad that Shirin has died and we won't be worried about that boy again?
Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Even the Shah and the advisors know
You have a real Mccoy lover in your Fahrad

In Fahrad, yeah

Now he believed the Shah and his advisors
[I don't know why
Cause he didn't know where she was]
Shirin
[She was far away]
Fahrad thought that Shirin had died
And he had no more to give
He had no way of knowing
Where she was and he lost the will to live
Oh yeah, Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Have a real Mccoy lover in your Fahrad

When the animals saw Shirin discover a dead Fahrad
Their little hearts were completely uptore
They said "Look we loved him too, Shirin,
We thought they didn't make 'em like your man anymore"
Well, Shirin, pretty Shirin,
You had a real Mccoy lover in your Fahrad

In your Fahrad

Well when Shirin heard the little birdies words
She knew they knew the score
So she just laid down by her Fahrad's side
And she died, she didn't want to just live 80 years of yearning anymore
Why?
Because Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Had a real Mccoy lover in her young man Fahrad

Gaspars 1979 (2)

Lyrics

Way down in ancient Persia
A long, long time ago
We've got the story of Shirin and Fahrad
And I thought you might want to know
Oh Shirin, oh pretty Shirin,
You've sure got a lover in Fahrad

Well pretty Shirin had to live with the Shah
But she went for a walk one day
Well there were thousands of workmen out diggin
But none dared to look her way
Until she came to mighty Fahrad
Whose little heart had been set all aflame
He called out "oh Shirin, I love you"
And she felt loved when he called her name
Oh, Shirin, Shirin,
You've sure got a lover in Fahrad

Well now her heart had already been won - oh
But she had to put that boy to the test
She said "See those mountains - dig me a tunnel
That way I'll know you love Shirin the best"
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin,
You've sure got a lover in Fahrad

Well, he didn't say "Suppose she's kiddin'"
And he didn't say "Suppose it rains"
And he didn't say "well that looks difficult"
He just started shovelin' and callin' her name
Oh Shirin, Shirin,
You've sure got a lover in Fahrad

Well now the townsfolk talked about Fahrad
You know their own lives were such a bore
They said "that boy sure fell for Shirin"
They didn't think they made them like him no more
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin,
You've sure got a lover in Fahrad

Well now everybody fell for Fahrad
And Mother Nature helped him along
This man had the wind and the leaves whispering "Shirin"
And all the birdies still felt his song
They said: Shirin, oh Shirin,
You've sure got a lover in this man Fahrad

Now
The Shah ??? at home worried
They were thinking "now how will we keep Shirin?"
And one of the advisors said
"Well ??? that Shirin done died
And we won't ??? about that boy again"
Oh Shirin, [???] oh Shirin,
You've sure got a lover in Fahrad

[???]

Now, when Shirin discovered a dead Fahrad
The animals, their little hearts were completely uptore
They said "Look we loved him too, Shirin,
We thought they didn't make 'em like your him anymore"
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin,
You've sure had a lover in that boy Fahrad

Well when Shirin heard the little birds words
She knew that they knew the score
So she just laid down by Fahrad's side
And she died,
She said "I can't live this way no more"
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin,
You've got the best kind of lover,
You've got an old fashioned kind of lover,
You've got the real McCoy lover
In Fahrad

The International House

Lyrics

We got the story of Shirin and Fahrad
And I thought you might want to know
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin,
Sure had a lover in young Fahrad

Pretty Shirin had to live with the Shah ???
But she went for a walk one day
Well there were thousands of workmen out diggin outside
But none dared look her way
Until she came to young Fahrad
Whose little heart had been set all aflame
He called out "Shirin, I love you"
And she felt loved when he called her name
Oh, Shirin, oh Shirin,
You sure got a lover in Fahrad

Her heart had already been won
But she had to put this boy to the test
She said "See all those mountains - dig me a tunnel
And I'll know you love Shirin best"
Oh, Shirin, oh Shirin,
You sure got a lover in mighty Fahrad

Now, he didn't say "Suppose she's kiddin'"
And he didn't say "well Suppose it rains"
And he didn't say "now look Shirin"
He just started diggin and ??? her name
Oh, Shirin, oh Shirin,
You sure got a lover in young man Fahrad

Now the town folk dreamt about Fahrad
???
They said, that boy ??? Shirin
They don't make them that way no more
Oh, Shirin, oh Shirin,
You sure got a lover in young man Fahrad

Now everybody ??? about Fahrad
And ??? helped him along
He had ??? Shirin
???
And, Shirin, oh Shirin,
You sure got a lover in Fahrad

I'll tell ya
Each stroke he took it worked a minor miracle
I say each stroke did the work of ten men
Oh a lover the ??? this Fahrad
May not grace these groves again
Oh, Shirin, oh Shirin,
You sure have a lover in Fahrad

???
The Shah ??? getting worried
They were thinkin' ??? how're we gonna keep Shirin
??? The advisors said look "just tell that Fahrad that Shirin has died
We will not be worrying 'bout that man again"
Oh, Shirin, oh Shirin,
??? Has a real Mccoy lover in her young Fahrad

(And it killed him, he thought she was dead
??? He thought she was dead so he died
???
And she saw him and he was dead)

Well, when the animals saw Shirin discover a dead Fahrad
Their little hearts were completely uptore
(???)
They said "???, Shirin,
We thought they don't make 'em that way no more"
After all, Shirin, oh Shirin,
Had a real Mccoy lover ??? in her Fahrad

So when Shirin heard the little birdies words
She could tell they knew the score
(So what did she do? ???)
She just laid down by Fahrad's side
And she died, I'm not gonna live ??? anymore
(Why's that?)
Because Shirin, ???
Young man

Notes

The Catalyst

Lyrics

Well down in ancient Persia
A long, long time ago
We have the story of Shirin and uh Fahrad
And I thought you might want to know
About Shirin, oh Shirin,
For sure has a lover in her young Fahrad

Well pretty ??? guitar ???

Well pretty Shirin had to live with the Shah
But she went for a walk one day
Well there were thousands of workmen out diggin'oh
But no one dared to even look her way
Until she came to young Fahrad
Whose little heart had been set all aflame
He called out "oh Shirin, I love you"
And she felt loved when he called her name
Because Shirin could tell
That she had a real Mccoy lover in this young Fahrad

Now her heart had already been won -uh
But she had to put that boy to the test
She said "See those mountains - dig me a tunnel
And that way I'll know you love Shirin the best"
Oh Shirin had to prove to herself
That she had the real Mccoy lover in Fahrad

And he didn't say "Suppose she's kiddin'"
And he didn't say "well Suppose it rains"
And he didn't say "yeah but that's much harder than it looks"
He just started shovelin' and called her name
Well Shirin, oh Shirin,
Sure got a lover in Fahrad

Now each stroke it worked a little miracle
I say each stroke did the work of ten men
A lover of the style of this Fahrad
May not grace these groves again
Shirin, Shirin,
Sure had a lover in Fahrad

??? Very nice people

Now the Shah sat around - but first I gotta tell you about the townfolk
The townsfolk talked about Fahrad
You know they're own lives were such a bore
They said "that boy sure fell for Shirin"
They thought they didn't make them like that anymore
Well Shirin, oh Shirin,
Sure has a lover in Fahrad

Now the Shah had sat around they all were worried
Cause They were thinkin' how're we gonna keep Shirin now
So one of his advisors said "just Tell that Fahrad that his Shirin has died
And We won't be worried 'bout that boy again"
You know, Shirin, oh Shirin,
You sure got a lover in Fahrad

They told him too and he thought she was dead and so he died, and so she came up and saw him dead

When the animals saw Shirin discover a dead Fahrad
Their little hearts were completely uptore
They said "we loved him too, Shirin,
We were thinking that they didn't make 'em like that anymore"
Oh Shirin, oh Shirin,
You sure got a lover in Fahrad

Now when Shirin heard the little birdies words
She knew that they knew the score
So she just laid down by Fahrad's side
And she died, she said I'm not gonna live on Earth without that guy anymore
Cause Shirin knew, oh Shirin knew,
That she had a real Mccoy lover in this young Fahrad

[I'm Jonathan Richman, they call me the modern lover, I'm gonna say good night]

The Bottom Line

Lyrics

[???]
[[People yelling requests, he turns them down]]
[???]
???

[I'm gonna do a song right now, my voice is getting a little raspy but
A little love song
???
I just want people to know
I feel anyone who like
Sing about ???
Satire or something
Missing all the point of what I'm doing here
So
I was reading this book about ancient Persian love stories
And this one sent chills up my spine every time I read it
???
Sing about Shirin and Fahrad]

Way down in ancient Persia
A long, long time ago
We have the story of Shirin and Fahrad
And I thought you might want to know [so I'm gonna tell you]
Shirin, pretty Shirin,
She had a real McCoy lover in this guy Fahrad

Pretty Shirin had to live with the Shah
But then she went for a walk one day
There were thousands of workmen all diggin' oh
But no one dared to look her way
Until she came to this man Fahrad
Whose heart had been set all aflame
He called out "Shirin, I love you"
And she felt loved by the way he called her name
So Shirin already knew
That she had a real Mccoy lover in Fahrad

Well her heart had already been won -uh
But she had to put this boy to the test
She said "See those mountains - dig me a tunnel
And I'll know that you love Shirin the best"
Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Sure had a lover in Fahrad

Now, he didn't say "Suppose she's only kidding"
He didn't say "Suppose it rains"
He didn't say "dig a tunnel? that's impossible, you can't do that"
He just started shovelin' and callin' her name
Shirin, pretty Shirin,
You sure have a lover in Fahrad

Now
Each stroke itself worked its own little miracle
Each stroke did the work of ten men
Cause a boy that strong, a guy like Fahrad
May not grace that grove of trees again
Shirin, in the ancient days
Sure had a lover in Fahrad

[Ok Jonathan, what about the Shah and all those guys?]

Well the Shah sat around getting worried
They were thinkin' how're we gonna keep Shirin
So then the advisor just said "well just tell young Fahrad that Shirin has died
And we're not going to be worried 'bout that boy again"
[They were cold, they knew he was a real McCoy lover]
Shirin, Shirin,
You sure have a lover in Fahrad

[And it killed him, he almost finished his tunnel
But he heard she was dead
He believed it and that was it
He stopped building]

Well, when the animals saw Shirin running to discover a dead Fahrad
Their little hearts were completely uptore
They said "we loved him too, Shirin,
We thought they didn't make 'em like your man anymore"
Shirin, pretty Shirin,
You've sure got a lover in young Fahrad

Well folks
When Shirin heard the little birds words
She knew that they knew the score
So she just laid down by her Fahrad's side
And she died, so as not to live 80 years of yearning and pain anymore
Because Shirin, pretty Shirin,
You sure have a lover in Fahrad

Lone Star Cafe

Lyrics

[???]

Way down in ancient Persia
A long, long time ago
We have the story of Shirin and Fahrad
And I thought you might want to know
Pretty Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Sure had a lover in Fahrad

Now pretty Shirin had to live with the Shah
But she went for a walk one day
She saw thousands of workmen out diggin'oh
But no one dared to look her way
Until she came to young Fahrad
Whose little heart had been set all aflame
He called out "Shirin, I love you"
And she felt loved by the way he called her name
Now Shirin, oh Shirin,
You've sure got a lover in this young man Fahrad

[Well she didn't me to tell her that]

You see her heart had already been won -uh
But she had to put her boy to the test
She said "See those mountains - dig me a tunnel
And I'll know you love Shirin the best"
'Cause Shirin, pretty Shirin,
[Already suspected that she]
Sure had a lover in Fahrad

Well now, he didn't say "Suppose she's kiddin'"
And he didn't say "Tunnel? suppose it rains?"
He didn't say "tunnel?, that's impossible"
He just started shovelin' and picking those axes, callin' her name
[Why is that ???]
Shirin, prettty Shirin,
Had a real Mccoy lover in Fahrad

Well now
[What about each stroke? that's a powerful stroke, well I'll tell you about it]

You see, each stroke it worked it's own little miracle
Each stroke did the work of ten men
A lover the style of young Fahrad
May not grace these groves again
You see Shirin, pretty Shirin,
She had a real Mccoy lover in Fahrad

[Well Jonathan I thought you said she was living with the Shah?
Well, where did he go? was he just sitting around? where is he?]

The Shah etc. was sitting around getting worried
They were thinkin' how're we gonna keep Shirin
[The advisors came up with an idea]
They said "Look, why don't we Tell young Fahrad that his Shirin has died
We won't be worried 'bout that boy again"
[They were cold, they were cold
They even suspected that]
Shirin, Shirin,
Has something they couldn't understand ???
Powerful young lover in Fahrad

[Ok, it worked, he thought she was dead and it killed him ???
It worked you see]

When the animals saw Shirin discover a dead Fahrad
Their little hearts were completely uptore
They said "Look we loved him too, Shirin,
We loved lovers like this
Most people aren't even lovers ???
???
This was a real ???
He didn't just ???
He died when you weren't around, he physically died
Even the animals, they knew that
Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Had a real Mccoy lover in Fahrad

Well when Shirin heard the little birdies words
She already knew the score
[So what did she do?]
So she just laid down by her Fahrad's side
And she died, not yearn through life anymore
[Why did this whole thing come about Jonathan?]
When Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Had my idea of a lover in this man Fahrad

[This is my band called the Modern Lovers
My name is Jonathan Richman
We're going to say good night]

Torino 1985

Lyrics

[[Something in Italian]]

[We'll come back again, no?
Maybe next February, maybe next February I think,
We got a new little baby at home,
I gotta stay home and watch the baby grow up]

Way down in ancient Persia
A long, long time ago
We have the story of Shirin and Fahrad
And I thought you might want to know
Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Had a real McCoy lover in young Fahrad

Pretty Shirin had to live with the Shah
But she went for a walk one day
There were thousands of workmen out diggin'oh
But none dared look her way
Until she came to young Fahrad
Whose little heart had been set all aflame
He called out "Shirin, I love you"
And she felt loved when he called her name
Well, Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Had a real Mccoy lover in Fahrad

[[It really stops here, it is the end of the show and I guess this one he throws out there a cappella to give the audience a little more]]

Live at the Riverside

Lyrics

Down in ancient Persia
A long, long time ago
We have the story of Shirin and Fahrad
And I thought you might want to know
Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Had a real McCoy lover in her young man Fahrad

Pretty Shirin had to live with the Shah
But she went for a walk one day
There were thousands of workmen out diggin'oh
But no one dared to look her way
That is until she came to young Fahrad
His little heart had been set all aflame
He called out "Shirin, I love you"
And she felt loved right away when he called her name
'Cause Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Had a real Mccoy lover in Fahrad

Her heart had already been won -uh
But she had to put her boy to the test
"See those mountains - she said "dig me a tunnel"
That way I'll know you love Shirin the best"
All right, Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Had a real Mccoy lover in her Fahrad
In Fahrad

Well now, he could have said "Suppose she's just kiddin'"
And he could have said "look Suppose it rains"
And he could have said "A tunnel, that's impossible, you can't do stuff like that"
He just started picking and callin' her name
Oh yeah, Shirin, pretty Shirin,
She had a real Mccoy lover in Fahrad

Now the animals they got to like Fahrad
Mother Nature started to help him along
He had the trees in the wind call Shirin
He had the birdies taking up his song
Oh yeah, Shirin, this pretty Shirin,
She had a real Mccoy lover in Fahrad
In the young man Fahrad

[What about the Shah Jonathan? Well]

The Shah by now they was startin' to get a little bit worried
They were thinkin' how're we gonna keep Shirin
The advisor said "Tell Fahrad that his Shirin has died
We won't be worried 'bout that boy again"
They were cold, Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Has a real Mccoy lover in her Fahrad
In Fahrad

[All right, he believed them]

Now he thought that Shirin had died
And so he had no more to give
Well he had no way of knowing
Where she was and he lost the will to live
Well, Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Had a real Mccoy lover in Fahrad
In Fahrad

[Jonathan how did you do it?]

Well, each stroke it worked a little miracle
Each thing with the shovel did the work of ten men
A lover McCoy of this Fahrad
May not grace that grove again
Oh, Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Had a real Mccoy lover in Fahrad

So, when the animals saw Shirin discover a dead Fahrad
Their little hearts were completely uptore [ the tempo ]
They said "we loved him too, Shirin,
We thought they didn't make 'em like that anymore"
Shirin, Shirin, [the animals know]
That you have a real Mccoy lover in your Fahrad
We loved him too

Now
When Shirin heard the little birdies' words
She knew that they knew the score
So she just laid down by her Fahrad's side
And she died, not yearn that way anymore
Why?
Because Shirin, pretty Shirin,
She had a real Mccoy lover in her strong young man Fahrad

Notes

San Fran 1986

Lyrics

Way down in ancient Persia
A long, long time ago
We have the story of Shirin and uh Fahrad
And I thought you might want to know
Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Had a real McCoy lover in Fahrad

Pretty Shirin had to live with the Shah
But she went for a walk one day
She saw thousands of workmen out diggin
And no one dared to look her way
Until she came to young Fahrad
Whose little heart had been set all aflame
He called out "Shirin, I love you"
And she felt loved by the way he called her name
Oh yeah, Shirin, pretty Shirin,
She had a real Mccoy lover in young Fahrad

Waa-oo, in her Fahrad

Her heart had already been won -uh
But she had to put that boy to the test
She said "See those mountains - dig me a tunnel
And that way I'll know you love Shirin the best"
Oh yeah, Shirin, has to make sure that she
Had a real Mccoy lover in Fahrad

In Fahrad

Well now, he didn't say "Suppose she's kiddin'"
And he didn't say "Suppose it rains"
And he didn't say "I can't do that"
He just started shovelin' and callin' her name
Shirin, pretty Shirin,
Had a real Mccoy lover in her Fahrad

In her Fahrad

Well the animals got to love Fahrad
Mother Nature even helped him along
He had the trees and the wind calling Shirin
He had the birdies take up his song
Oh Shirin, Shirin,
You had a real Mccoy lover in Fahrad

In her Fahrad

[Jonathan, how did he do it?]

Each stroke it worked a little miracle
[???]
Each stroke did the work of ten men
A lover McCoy of this Fahrad
May not grace that grove again
Shirin, oh Shirin,
She had a real Mccoy lover in her Fahrad

Oh yeah, in her Fahrad

Well the Shah etcetera were getting worried
And they were thinkin' how're we gonna keep Shirin
The advisor just said "Tell that Fahrad that his Shirin has died
We won't be worried 'bout that boy again"
Well, Shirin, pretty Shirin,
You have a real Mccoy lover in Fahrad

In Fahrad

The animals saw Shirin discover a dead Fahrad
[???
Why did he believe she was dead?
???]

Well he believed the advisor's words
And he had no more
[???]
He had no way of knowing where she was
And he lost the will to live
Well Shirin, pretty Shirin
Got a real McCoy lover in Fahrad

In her Fahrad

Yeah

When the animals saw Shirin discover a dead Fahrad

Their little hearts were completely uptore
They said "Look we loved him too, Shirin, we got to love him
We thought they didn't make 'em that way no more"
Shirin, pretty Shirin, you can appreciate
A real Mccoy lover like Fahrad

??? Fahrad

Well when Shirin heard the little birdies words
She knew that they knew the score
So she just laid down by her Fahrad's side
And she died, not to yearn that way no more
[Why?]
Cause Shirin, pretty Shirin,
She had a real Mccoy lover in her Fahrad

[Jonathan Richman and Modern Lovers say nighty night]

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