Flying Colours Jethro Tull

Shout if you will, but that just won't do
I, for one, would rather follow softer options
I'll take the easy line; another sip of wine
And if I ignore the face you wore it's just a way of
Mine to keep from flying colours

Don't lay your bait while the whole world waits
Around to see me shoot you down --- It's all so second-rate
When we can last for days on a loving night;
Or for hours at least on a warm whisper given
You always pick the best time to rise to the fight
To break the hard bargain that we've driven
Once again we're flying colours

I thought we had it out the night before
And settled old scores, but not the hard way
Was it a glass too much? Or a smile too few?
Did our friends all catch the needle match --- did we
Want them to?
In a fancy restaurant we were all aglow
Keeping cool by mutual permission
How did the conversation get to where we came to blows?
We were set up in a red condition
And again we're flying colours

Shout --- but you see it still won't do
With my colours on I can be just as bad as you
Have I had a glass too much? Did I give a smile too few?
Did our friends all catch the needle match --- did we
Want them to?
We act our parts so well, like we wrote the play
All so predictable and we know it