Without an invitation   it used to be more fun   surveillance through the dry bush   you knew the art of ring and run   and hid behind the t-bird   unless the door would open first   you had a talent for excuses...   an innocent who'd been coerced   you had to have it all rehearsed when   knocking at the big house   knocking at the big house   It always seemed the easiest   when it didn't mean that much   though you welcomed competition    you had an ace no one could touch   but didn't have a short clue   that this gift's a given thing   call it camouflage or filthy rags   it was not enough to let it ring   you had to sign this offering by   knocking at the big house   knocking at the big house   Now there's nothing to conceal you   you come in from the front   the hedges have been cut back   and you're much too old for scavenger hunt   maybe you're collecting    donations for the cause   it may be now or never   so let it ring   don't you pause   you are not breaking any laws when   knocking at the big house   knocking at the big house   keep your eye up to the keyhole   what do you see now   you'll be   knocking at the big house   knocking at the big house