The Light Colonel's Wife

She could drive a three-in-the-tree Play Beethoven's symphonies, Or cook up a seven course meal. But she gave up her degree, To have my sisters and me, Back then that was kind of the deal. She'd drink her Beefeater gin, Until your liver gave in, When you could barely see dawn's early light. And you'd better get your rest, Cuz she'd put you to the test, Going hard the very next night. If you were lucky in life To know the Light Colonel's wife, You'd have a smile on your face every day. If she called you her friend, That meant right to the end, Raise a glass to Marina Gray She'd parachute outta planes, Her husband called her insane, Cuz that's just not the Royal Air Force way. But she was stubborn as a mule, The definition of cool, Floating down on her fortieth birthday. She read more books than you could carry, She read entire libraries, Don't waste your time playing Trivial Pursuit. If you bet your money on every pie, You wouldn't even get a try, She'd just walk with all of your loot. If you were lucky in life To know the Light Colonel's wife, You'd have a smile on your face every day. And if she called you her friend, That meant right to the end, Raise a glass to Marina Gray, Let's raise a glass to Marina Gray. She was born in the Thirties, Watched war in the Forties, Learned to live a nuclear carpe diem. Where you sing with abandon, Make home where you land in, And you love your kin when you see 'em. French cuisine, Indian curry, Jacques Brel, Nana Mouskouri Were some of the things she held dear. Lost people, heart-broke souls, Even obnoxious assholes, Would always find her ear. She dined with kings and queens, She dressed homeless for Hallowe'en, And no-one ever knew who she was. She'd tell dirty jokes with the best, To the men in the Officers' Mess, And smoke wine-dipped cigars, just because. If you were lucky in life To know the Light Colonel's wife, You'd have a smile on your face every day. And if she called you her friend, That meant right to the end, Raise a glass to Marina Gray, She could discuss the world's affairs, With prime ministers and mayors, And walk a diplomatic tight-rope. Presidents didn't faze her, Movie stars ceased to amaze her, She even had an audience with the Pope. She should have asked him for prayer, Cuz the dragon that finally slayed her, Was smoking all those damn cigarettes. She's only sixty-five, When they ended her life, But she lived all her days no regrets. Oh, she lived all her days no regrets. If you were lucky in life To know the Light Colonel's wife, You'd have a smile on your face every day. If she called you her friend, That meant right to the end, Raise a glass to Marina Gray, If she called you her friend, That meant right to the end, Raise a glass to Marina Gray. Let's say a toast to Marina Gray. Everyone loved our Marina Gray.