Take a Long Line
The Angels Lyrics


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(This is it folks, over the top)

He was selling postcards from a paper stand
The whiskey bottle in his withered hand
Put his finger on a photo from an old magazine
Saw himself in the shadow of his dream

They found him with his head inside a tin-pot crown
Told him his feet stank and took him downtown
Called him agitator, spy and thief
Shut him up in solitary third degree

Take a long line
Take a long line
Take a long line
Reel him in

He tried to appeal to the king of might
Said "I'm just exercising my sacred right"
The king he said "You ain't got no rights
You're a madman, a traitor, get outta my sight"

Take a long line
Take a long line
Take a long line
Reel him in

They found him with his head inside a tin-pot crown
Told him his feet stank and took him downtown
Called him agitator, spy and thief
Shut him up in solitary third degree

Then they put him aboard a well wound whirlwind
Pulled out his teeth and they told him to grin
He gave them a smile, pulled out a bottle of wine
And said "I never existed, you've been wasting your time"

Take a long line
Take a long line
Take a long line
Reel him in

Take a long line
Take a long line
Take a long line
Reel him in

Take a long line
Take a long line




Take a long, long long long line
Reel him in

Overall Meaning

“Take a Long Line” by the Australian rock band The Angels is a song that captures the paranoia of the 1970s and reflects the frustration felt by those who were fed up with the establishment. The song tells the story of a man who was selling postcards from a paper stand, but he was also a dreamer who had a vision for a better society. However, his dreams and ideas clashed with that of the authority, and he was accused of being an agitator, spy, and a thief. He was taken into custody, where he was subjected to harsh interrogation and put into solitary confinement. Eventually, he was released, but he was not the same as he was before. He decided to disappear from the society, but not before giving them a final message that he had never existed.


The lyrics of “Take a Long Line” are open to interpretation, and some believe that it is a commentary on the treatment of prisoners of war or political prisoners. Others suggest that it is a depiction of the disillusionment that many people felt towards the government and the establishment. The song’s chorus, “Take a long line, reel him in” suggests that the establishment was trying to control, manipulate and ultimately silence those who opposed or questioned the status quo.


The song was released in 1978 as a single, and it became one of The Angels’ biggest hits. The song was also included on their third album, “No Exit”. The song’s riff and driving beat were highly influential on the Australian pub rock scene, and it helped to establish The Angels as one of the leading bands of the era. The song was also covered by many other artists, including Hoodoo Gurus, You Am I, and The Living End.


Line by Line Meaning

He was selling postcards from a paper stand
He was making a living selling postcards from a small kiosk


The whiskey bottle in his withered hand
He held a whiskey bottle with his tired hand


Put his finger on a photo from an old magazine
He pointed out a picture from an old magazine


Saw himself in the shadow of his dream
He saw himself in the reflection of his own aspirations


They found him with his head inside a tin-pot crown
He was found wearing a makeshift crown made from a bowl or pot


Told him his feet stank and took him downtown
He was accused of wrongdoing and arrested


Called him agitator, spy and thief
People labeled him as a trouble maker, spy, and thief


Shut him up in solitary third degree
He was put into solitary confinement for a harsh punishment


Take a long line
Get ready to entangle or ensnare him


Reel him in
Bring him in closer or pull him closer


He tried to appeal to the king of might
He attempted to seek support from a higher power


Said "I'm just exercising my sacred right"
He claimed that he was just exercising his unalienable right


The king he said "You ain't got no rights
The king denied his claims of rights and authority


You're a madman, a traitor, get outta my sight"
The king insulted and banished him


Then they put him aboard a well wound whirlwind
He was subjected to a chaotic and turbulent experience


Pulled out his teeth and they told him to grin
They inflicted physical harm and forced him to show a false smile


He gave them a smile, pulled out a bottle of wine
He outwardly showed compliance while secretly enjoying wine


And said "I never existed, you've been wasting your time"
He denied his own existence and mocked their effort to apprehend him


Take a long long long long line
Use an extended line to catch him effectively




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BERNARD PATRICK NEESON, JOHN CARRINGTON BREWSTER-JONES, RICHARD BREWSTER-JONES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@johnmcdonald1293

Man this never gets old what a song what a band , don't you just wish you could go back in time I'm really appreciate what we had.

@notyaavridge2660

THIS IS IT FOLKS OVER THE TOP!!!!!
He was Selling postcards from a paper stand, Whisky bottle in his withered hand.

In all seriousness,me and my friend met Doc when they were performing at Panthers. My friend and i were going outside for a puff and Doc was outside already, trying to catch his breath. We asked him to join us but he declined. "Ive usually got oxygen on standby, but sometimes The owner of the venue doesn't provide it so i have to come outside to breath " he told us.
A brief moment in time that ill never forget.
Vale Doc, you have given me one of my best memories of the 90s.

@fionagrant2023

This is such an excellent rock song. Love Angels 😍🥰😍🤩😘

@craigedmonds1374

💪

@alanhill5756

I love the Angels. When I die I would like "Take A Long Line" played at my funeral.

@smills5483

No one does the driving Pub rock better than the Aussie bands of the 70's/80's. The Angels, Cold Chisel, Rose Tattoo, Ac/Dc. Rest In Peace Doc. Loved seeing you in Sydney in the 90's rocking the crowd. 

@37kema

also in qld noosa area ;)

@mikedemike5393

+S Mills because we had the most vibrant music scene in the late 70s and early eighties....these bands had refined their show doing 300 shows a year...now it is dead....music died a death by nostalgia.

@smills5483

Well said Mike.

@TheTuggerrype

I'm with you all the way on this one mate. One of the best nights I had was rocking to TMG at the Sunny Bank in Qld...sheesh how things have changed..

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