Cup of Brown Joy

***Cup of Brown Joy*** is a song by Professor Elemental and the tenth and final track on the 2009 album The Indifference Engine. It was also released as a single prior to the release of the album.

### Song Facts

Cup of Brown Joy (single)
 Year

The track was re-released on the 10th Anniversary Edition of *The Indifference Engine.* The liner notes describe the song as follows:

*"It's a creative trusim that it's not always the things that you work the hardest on that bring you the most success. This song was created as a throwaway party song for the 'Come into My Parlour' show and I even recorded it while Tom was out of the room, knocking it out in a single take so that we could get on with something more substantial afterwards. Still though, ten years and literally thousands of performances later, this little ode to tea lives on. And thank god for it, this is the song that lead (sic) Moog to offer to make a video and after that, everything changed. Three cheers for Tom and for the beauty of a nice cup of tea."*

## Single

*Fighting* *Trousers* was released as a single on 28 March 2008 with three additional tracks:

*All compositions by Paul Alborough and Tom Caruana except as indicated*

1. "Cup of Brown Joy" - 2:42
2. "Cup of Brown Joy" (Tea Bag Remix) - 3:09
3. "Cup of Brown Joy" (Instrumental) - 2:43
4. "Cup of Brown Joy" (Tea Bag Remix Instrumental) - 3:11

## Lyrics

Love a cup. I would--oh God, yes. Oh, that is gorgeous, yeah

(Verse 1)
I need a cup of the brown stuff, the shade of an acorn
Made warm by the same source that I take my cakes from
Using a teapot, a mug or fine china
Been hooked up to IVs, need constant supplies
And a drip for my urges might verge on perverted
But for earthy brown tea, I'm certain it's worth it!
With Sherpas who work herds and use a fresh fountain
I've discerned brews from Peruvian mountains
I've slurped up a cuppa from an elephant's trunk
With a couple of monks who utterly stunk
I've had bourbons with sultans and creams with queens
And I've bathed in Earl Grey--I'm really that keen!
And missionaries dismiss me for my single epiphany
The diff between him and me is a simple sip of British tea!
So when times are hard and life is rough
You can stick the kettle on and find me a cup

(Refrain)
Now, when I say "Earl Grey," you say "Yes, please!"
Earl Grey! (Yes, please!)
Earl Grey! (Yes, please!)
When I say "Assam," you say "Lovely!"
Assam! (Lovely!)
Assam! (Lovely!)
When I say "Ooh," you say "Aah!"
Ooh! (Aah!)
Ooh! (Aah!)
Ooh! (Aah!)

(Spoken) Ooh, yes, I'll do a number on you

(Verse 2)
I've been around the world in eighty brews
To see the place it takes me to
To make a brew that tastes like the cream cakes made by angels do
I'm not the same as you, get shaky but aim
To swig amazing fluids but don't make it the same
Now, using fine leaves picked by pretty maidens
In a bag knitted by a seamstress who lives in Copenhagen
Brewed up in a pot made of semi-precious metal
Let the blessed contents settle in my very special kettle!

(Refrain)
Now, when I say "Oo," you say "long!"
Oo! (long!)
Oo! (long!)
When I say "Herbal," you say "No, thanks!"
Herbal? (No, thanks!)
Herbal? (No, thanks!)

(Spoken) Hm, no. No, I want--I want milk in it. Strong, though--I want to see that spoon stand up!

(Verse 3)
If you're tired of tea then you're tired of life
Hah! I'm madder than a hatter and it fires my mic
Liken to me to Earl Grey, Assam, or Ginger
Lapsang Souchong, raise my pinkie finger!
Keep your sodding coffee in a proper copper coffee pot
And spot me lobbing teapots at your poncy rotten coffee shop
Coffee clots, nodding off--lost the plot, sodding off
Need some caffeine, tannin, and a Battenberg to top it off!
Cut from off a different cloth, a different lot can take their beer
On 80 cups a day, I haven't slept for 80 years!
You could say I'm mad for tea--or, or just say I'm mad--
Oh, you can't stay any longer? Oh, actually, I'm, I'm quite glad--
All the more Battenberg for me--
I can barely pour, my hands have gone a bit shaky from caffeine--
I love it though, I'd sell me own grandma for a cup...

## Music Video

   A video was directed by Moog and posted to YouTube on 17 March 2008.

## Track Production

### Credits

Note: the video credits to vocal to Elemental though the track is listed among the Professor Elemental releases.

## Remixes and Other Versions

The Indifference Engine: 10th Anniversary Edition
 Tea Bag Remix |  | Cup of Brown Joy (single)
The Indifference Engine: 10th Anniversary Edition
 Tea Bag Remix Instrumental |  | Cup of Brown Joy (single)
The Indifference Engine: 10th Anniversary Edition