The Irony Engine

The Irony Engine is a song originally by Franklin Bruno. It has been covered by the Mountain Goats during a few live shows.

Lyrics

You kept a death grip on the armrest
You slept as I swerved through bumps and dips
You leapt at the chance to act alarmist
You swept past my face like an eclipse

You act like I'm your chum and I can treat you like my little sister
But if you cover the sun with your thumb you should expect to get a fever blister
And if the air is filled with a sickening hum
Don't be upset or overcome
Don't worry
It's just the irony engine working

You rose like a crane to the occasion
You froze at the very implication
You chose to divert the whole invasion
By winking and shrugging and smiling and giving me an awkward seatbelt hug
Before you vanished in the chilly autumn
I could feel the motor chug
Something tearing loose and striking bottom
But if you still can't see how a three point plug
Could supervene on the lunar tug
Don't worry
It's just the irony engine working
Don't worry
It's just the irony engine working

Live Shows this Song Was Played at

• 1996-03-16 - Lintfabriek - Kontich, Belgium
• 1996-03-23 - Covent Garden Rough Trade - London, England
• 1996-10-29 - Stockholm, Sweden
• 1997-02-XX - Bob's Underground - Grinnell, IA
• 1999-07-23 - CBGB - New York City, NY
• 2000-10-19 - WFMU Session - WFMU Studios - Jersey City, NJ
• 2001-05-04 - Brave New Waves - CBC Radio Session - Montreal, Quebec
• 2002-12-07 - Amstel Festival - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 2004-04-20 - Go! Rehearsal Studios, Room 4 - Carrboro, NC
• 2007-05-11 - Sound Fix - Brooklyn, NY