Released in 1991

School - Kept in Confusion

Written by Paul McCartney • Carl Davis

Last updated on July 10, 2019

Album This song officially appears on the Liverpool Oratorio Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1991

Master album

Liverpool Oratorio
By Paul McCartney

Related songs

“Kept in Confusion” is the fourth track of the second movement – entitled “School” – of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, released in 1991.

II: SCHOOL. 1953. The war baby – Shanty – now 11 years old and at school, celebrates his Liverpool upbringing. With classmates, he skips lessons to “sag off” and sunbathe in the graveyard of Liverpool Cathedral. Sleeping on a gravestone, he dreams of ghosts of the past and the future. One of the ghosts, Mary Dee, is his bride-to-be. Waking and back at school, Shanty and his classmates are taught Spanish in the form of a folk song by their new mistress, Miss Inkley.
“Liverpool Oratorio” liner notes

Lyrics

SHANTY

Kept in confusion,

Trapped by illusion,

Thinking of speaking my mind.

Dreams of the future,

Ghosts of the past left behind.

Constantly drifting,

Endlessly lifting

More weight than one man can bear.

Into the future,

Ghosts of the past everywhere.

MEN'S CHORUS (ghosts)

You're sleeping amongst us,

We're in your dream,

Who are you?

Why call us?

What does this mean?

Disturbing our slumber,

You move so fast.

SHANTY

Ghosts of the past.

Tossing and turning,

Somehow I'm learning

Secrets I'd rather not know.

Can't it be simple?

Why does it have to be so?

Officially appears on

Liverpool Oratorio
Official album • Released in 1991
2:35 • Live • L1
Paul McCartney : Executive producer Eddie Klein : Additional engineer John Timperley : Balance engineer Carl Davis : Orchestra conductor Peter Mew : Additional engineer, Editor John Fraser : Producer Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra : Orchestra Nic Raine : Assistant to carl davis Martin Astle : Additional engineer Tom Leader : Additional engineer, Editor Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir : Choir Choristers of Liverpool Cathedral : Choir Ian Tracey : Chorus master and master of the choriste Jerry Hadley : Tenor
Concert From the concert in Liverpool, United Kingdom on Jun 28, 1991
Selections from Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio
Official album • Released in 1992
2:35 • Live • L1
Paul McCartney : Executive producer Eddie Klein : Additional engineer John Timperley : Balance engineer Carl Davis : Orchestra conductor Peter Mew : Additional engineer, Editor John Fraser : Producer Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra : Orchestra Nic Raine : Assistant to carl davis Martin Astle : Additional engineer Tom Leader : Additional engineer, Editor Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir : Choir Choristers of Liverpool Cathedral : Choir Ian Tracey : Chorus master and master of the choriste Jerry Hadley : Tenor
Concert From the concert in Liverpool, United Kingdom on Jun 28, 1991

Live performances

“School - Kept in Confusion” has been played in 2 concerts.

Year	Soundchecks	Concerts
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Latest concerts where “School - Kept in Confusion” has been played

Liverpool • Liverpool Cathedral • United Kingdom
Jun 29, 1991 • Part of Liverpool Oratorio
Liverpool • Liverpool Cathedral • United Kingdom
Jun 28, 1991 • Part of Liverpool Oratorio

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