Closing the first side of the first record is '
Eyesight To The Blind'. This is the only cover to be included on the album, and was recorded by
Sonny Boy Williamson in 1951. Originally a 12-bar blues song, Pete re-wrote some of the lyrics and beefed up the tune but the track is still credited to Sonny Boy Williamson as the writer
There's some confusion about the actual title of the song. On the original 1969 Track Records album cover, the title used is 'The Hawker', but on the record label it is listed as 'Eyesight to the Blind'. Later re-issues call the song wither 'Eyesight to the Blind (The Hawker)' or 'The Hawker (Eyesight to the Blind)'
"You talk about your woman
I wish you could see mine,
You talk about your woman
I wish you could see mine,
Every time she starts to lovin'
She brings eyesight to the blind.
You know her daddy gave her magic
I can tell by the way she walks.
You know her daddy gave her magic
I can tell by the way she walks.
Everytime we start shakin'
The dumb begin to talk.
She's got the power to heal you never fear
She's got the power to heal you never fear
Just a word from her lips
And the deaf begin to hear."
Opening the second side of 'Tommy' is the festive '
Christmas', and we have the first real Who-like song of the album. An upbeat song, with some nagging and slightly off-key backing vocals, it ends up being slightly unnerving. At it's heart is the first reference to the 'See Me, Feel Me' motif that is the albums most dramatic feature
In the early demos for the album, this song would have come immediately after 'Amazing Journey'. Also the lyrics were slightly altered when the concept of pinball was introduced into the storyline. The more familiar words run: "
Surrounded by his friends he sits so silently, / And unaware of everything. / Playing poxy pin ball / picks his nose and smiles and / Pokes his tongue at everything", but the original line was "
Surrounded by his friends he sits so silently, / And unaware of everything. / playing with himself he sits and smiles and / Pokes his tongue at everything"
"Did you ever see the faces of children
They get so excited.
Waking up on Christmas morning
Hours before the winter suns ignited.
They believe in dreams and all they mean
Including heavens generosity.
Peeping round the door
to see what parcels are for free
In curiosity.
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is.
Doesn't know who Jesus was or what praying is.
How can he be saved?
From the eternal grave.
Surrounded by his friends he sits so silently,
And unaware of anything.
Playing poxy pin ball
picks his nose and smiles and
Pokes his tongue at everything.
I believe in love
but how can men who've never seen
Light be enlightened.
Only if he's cured
will his spirits future level ever heighten.
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is.
Doesn't know who Jesus was or what praying is.
How can he be saved?
From the eternal grave.
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
How can he be saved?
Tommy:
See me, feel me
Touch me, heal me.
See me, feel me
Touch me, heal me!
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
How can he be saved?"