The Sensual World

The lyrics in the title track from Kate Bush's sixth studio album the sensual world simulate the feelings she has for love and the world around her. Originally, Bush wanted to use Molly Bloom's monologue from the end of James Joyce's novel Ulysses ("...and yes I said yes I will yes"), but the Joyce estate refused permission, so she adapted the ideas in her own words. Bush was eventually granted permission to use the monologue, when re-recording the track for her 2011 album, director's cut. This prompted Bush to change the re-recorded track title to flower of the mountain.

[Verse 1] Mmh, yes Then I'd taken the kiss of seedcake back from his mouth Going deep South, go down, mmh, yes Took six big wheels and rolled our bodies Off of Howth Head and into the flesh, mmh, yes [Pre-Chorus 1] He said, "I was a flower of the mountain, yes But now I've powers o'er a woman's body, yes" [Chorus] Stepping out of the page into the sensual world Stepping out [Verse 2] To where the water and the earth caress And the down of a peach says, "Mmh, yes" Do I look for those millionaires like a Machiavellian girl would When I could wear a sunset, mmh, yes [Pre-Chorus 2] And how we'd wished to live in the sensual world You don't need words, just one kiss, then another [Chorus] Stepping out of the page into the sensual world Stepping out off the page into the sensual world [Interlude] [Verse 3] And then our arrows of desire rewrite the speech, mmh, yes And then he whispered, "Would I, mmh, yes Be safe, mmh, yes, from mountain flowers?" And at first with the charm around him, mmh, yes He loosened it so if it slipped between my breasts He'd rescue it, mmh, yes [Verse 4] And his spark took life in my hand and, mmh, yes I said, "Mmh, yes", but not yet Mmh, yes Mmh, yes