The Wheel & The Maypole
XTC · Other Songs - XTC
I've got the plough if you've got the furrow
I've got the rabbit if you've his burrow home
I've got the pen if you've got the paper
Time is but clay and I'll see you and the wheel turn
You and the wheel turn
And if the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
Then we'll dash it to the ground
And if the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
We'll build one bigger all around, goes the wheel
I've got the seed if you've got the valley
I've got the big stick if you've Aunt Sally's head
I've got the time if you've got the motion
Time is but clay and I'll see you and the wheel turn
You and the wheel turn
And if the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
Then we'll dash it to the ground
And if the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
We'll build one bigger all around, goes the wheel
Maypole, maypole, maypole, you've spun me 'round
And knocked me off my axis mundi, maypole
Maypole, maypole, the ties that bind you will unwind
To free me one day and everything decays
Everything decays, forest tumbles down
To make the soil, planets fall apart
Just to feed the stars and stuff their larders
And what made me think we're any better
And what made me think we'd last forever
Was I so naive? Of course, it all unweaves
Maypole, maypole, maypole, you've spun me 'round
And knocked me off my axis mundi, maypole
Maypole, maypole, the ties that bind you will unwind
To free me one day and everything decays
Pyramids and palaces to dust, empires crumble in
Wedding cake begins to must and moulder
And what made me think we're any better
And what made me think we'd last forever
Was I so naive? Failing to perceive
Maypole, round goes the wheel
Maypole, round goes the wheel
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
I've got the rabbit if you've his burrow home
I've got the pen if you've got the paper
Time is but clay and I'll see you and the wheel turn
You and the wheel turn
And if the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
Then we'll dash it to the ground
And if the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
We'll build one bigger all around, goes the wheel
I've got the seed if you've got the valley
I've got the big stick if you've Aunt Sally's head
I've got the time if you've got the motion
Time is but clay and I'll see you and the wheel turn
You and the wheel turn
And if the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
Then we'll dash it to the ground
And if the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
If the pot won't hold our love
We'll build one bigger all around, goes the wheel
Maypole, maypole, maypole, you've spun me 'round
And knocked me off my axis mundi, maypole
Maypole, maypole, the ties that bind you will unwind
To free me one day and everything decays
Everything decays, forest tumbles down
To make the soil, planets fall apart
Just to feed the stars and stuff their larders
And what made me think we're any better
And what made me think we'd last forever
Was I so naive? Of course, it all unweaves
Maypole, maypole, maypole, you've spun me 'round
And knocked me off my axis mundi, maypole
Maypole, maypole, the ties that bind you will unwind
To free me one day and everything decays
Pyramids and palaces to dust, empires crumble in
Wedding cake begins to must and moulder
And what made me think we're any better
And what made me think we'd last forever
Was I so naive? Failing to perceive
Maypole, round goes the wheel
Maypole, round goes the wheel
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
Maypole, the ties that bind
You will unwind to free me one day
The Wheel & The Maypole
Released by XTC in 1982, 'The Wheel & The Maypole' stands as a defining track from the band's second studio album, *Drums and Wires*. The song exemplifies the group's signature blend of art rock, new wave, and psychedelic influences, characterized by intricate guitar work and philosophical lyrics. Written by Andy Partridge, the track explores themes of societal control and the cyclical nature of history, delivered with a driving rhythm that became a staple of the era's alternative scene. Its enduring popularity highlights XTC's ability to merge complex musical structures with poignant social commentary, cementing their status as pioneers of the 1980s British music landscape.