“Laughing on the bus, playing games with the faces,
She said the man in the gabardine suit was a spy,
I said, 'Be careful, his bowtie is really a camera.”

—  Paul Simon

America
Song lyrics, Bookends (1968)

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "Laughing on the bus, playing games with the faces, She said the man in the gabardine suit was a spy, I said, 'Be care…" by Paul Simon?
Paul Simon photo
Paul Simon116
American musician, songwriter and producer 1941

Related quotes

“She said he was a man who cheated.
He said she didn't play the game.
She said an expletive deleted.
He said the undeleted same.
And so they ended their relation
With meaningful communication.”

J. V. Cunningham (1911–1985) American writer

"Jack and Jill", 1981
The Poems of J. V. Cunningham, edited by Timothy Steele, Ohio University Press/Swallow Press, 1997, ISBN 0-804-00997-X
Other poetry

Simone de Beauvoir photo

“He walks in the street, a picture of modesty in his felt hat and his gabardine suit, and all the while he's thinking, "I'm immortal."”

Simone de Beauvoir (1908–1986) French writer, intellectual, existentialist philosopher, political activist, feminist, and social theorist

The world is his, time is his, and I'm nothing but an insect.
Regina to herself, p. 28
All Men are Mortal (1946)

Terry Pratchett photo

“God does not play games with His loyal servants", said the Metatron, but in a worried tone of voice.
"Whoopee", said Crowley.”

Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) English author

Source: Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

Marcin Malek photo

“A CARE
Your shadow –
Looks nothing like you
She said passing me by
I pass her by with no regrets
My shadow is my care –
I said

I’m of Darkness –
And Darkness is of me
If you know the place –
where it comes from?
She looked over her shoulder
Only a man She said
Only man – all over the place
wanders along his own steps”

Marcin Malek (1975) Polish writer

Among the things (2012), Page 86, verse I-II.

Jerome Bettis photo

“I played this game to win a championship. I am a champion, and I think The Bus’ last stop is here in Detroit.”

Jerome Bettis (1972) Former American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers

Bettis announcing his retirement following the Steelers’ Super Bowl victory in his hometown of Detroit (February 5, 2006http://www.hwwilson.com/_home/bios/1992060806.htm

“Werewolf games," Mercy said solemnly, "play for keeps, or go home." She was so cute sometimes it made Adam's heart hurt.”

Patricia Briggs book Frost Burned

Source: Frost Burned

Paulo Coelho photo

“You're a man who has suffered and wants revenge,' she said. 'Your heart is dead, your soul is in darkness. The devil by your side is smiling because you are playing the game he invented.”

Paulo Coelho book The Devil and Miss Prym

Source: The Devil and Miss Prym

Anthony de Mello photo

“"What is the work of a Master?" said a solemn-faced visitor.
"To teach people to laugh," said the Master gravely.”

Anthony de Mello (1931–1987) Indian writer

Source: One Minute Nonsense (1992), p. 85

Michael Swanwick photo

““I am playing a game called Futility,” she said. Are you familiar with it?
“How does one win?”
“You don’t. You can only postpone losing. I’ve managed to keep this particular game going for years.””

Michael Swanwick book Stations of the Tide

Source: Stations of the Tide (1991), Chapter 3, “The Dance of the Inheritors” (p. 46)

Eugéne Ionesco photo

“He understands that the world is an enormous farce, a canular played by God against man, and that he has to play God’s game and laugh about it.”

Eugéne Ionesco (1909–1994) Romanian playwright

canular refers to hoaxes, humorous deceptions.
The Paris Review interview (1984)
Context: You know, the Cathars believed that the world was not created by God but by a demon who had stolen a few technological secrets from Him and made this world — which is why it doesn’t work. I don’t share this heresy. I’m too afraid! But I put it in a play called This Extraordinary Brothel, in which the protagonist doesn’t talk at all. There is a revolution, everybody kills everybody else, and he doesn’t understand. But at the very end, he speaks for the first time. He points his finger towards the sky and shakes it at God, saying, “You rogue! You little rogue!” and he bursts out laughing. He understands that the world is an enormous farce, a canular played by God against man, and that he has to play God’s game and laugh about it.

Related topics