Script for a Jester's Tear is the first album by the progressive rock band Marillion, released in 1983.

The single released before this album was "Market Square Heroes" with the double B-sides, "Three Boats Down from the Candy" and the 19 minute epic "Grendel". (That version of "Grendel" is not the same version as the one on the second CD on the 2 CD version of this album.)

"He Knows You Know" and "Garden Party" were also released as singles, and became Top 40 hits in the UK.

This is the only Marillion LP to feature Mick Pointer, founding and current drummer for Arena.

There was supposed to be a rubber plant featured on the album's cover, per Fish's request; however, Mark Wilkinson, who air-brushed this and several other albums for Marillion, forgot to include it.

Track listing

All tracks credited to "Derek Dick/Steve Rothery/Peter Trewavas/Michael Pointer/Mark Kelly/Diz Minnett/Brian Jellyman" unless otherwise noted

Side one

1. "Script for a Jester's Tear" (Derek Dick/Steve Rothery/Peter Trewavas/Michael Pointer/Mark Kelly) – 8:42
2. "He Knows You Know" – 5:23
3. "The Web" (Derek Dick/Steve Rothery/Peter Trewavas/Michael Pointer/Mark Kelly/Brian Jellyman) – 8:52

Side two

1. "Garden Party" – 7:19
2. "Chelsea Monday" (Derek Dick/Steve Rothery/Peter Trewavas/Michael Pointer/Mark Kelly) – 8:17
3. "Forgotten Sons" – 8:23

The 1997 remaster has the following additional tracks on the second CD:

1. "Market Square Heroes" (Battle Priest Version) – 4:18
2. "Three Boats Down from the Candy" – 4:31
3. "Grendel" (Fair Deal Studios Version) – 19:10
4. "Chelsea Monday" (Demo) – 6:54
5. "He Knows You Know" (Demo) – 4:29
6. "Charting the Single" – 4:51
7. "Market Square Heroes" (Alternative Version) – 4:48

Personnel

• Fish – vocals
• Steve Rothery - guitars
• Mark Kelly - keyboards
• Pete Trewavas - bass
• Mick Pointer - drums

• "Marquee Club's Parents Association Children's Choir" - backing vocals on "Forgotten Sons" (short fragment of Ring a Ring o' Roses)
• Peter Cockburn – newcaster's voice on "Forgotten Sons"

Production

• Produced by Nick Tauber
• Recorded and Mixed by Simon Hanhart
• Digitally remastered by Peter Mew and Mark Kelly at Abbey Road Studios London April - July 1997

Trivia

• Although their first single "Market Square Heroes" never appeared on the original album it can be briefly heard during a short radio segment prior to 'Forgotten Sons'
• According to Fish "Script for a Jesters Tear" is the first of a trilogy and classified as 'bedsit thoughts'. "Fugazi" is deemed 'hotel thoughts' and "Misplaced Childhood" as 'home thoughts'. This was to enable the listener to understand the feelings and surroundings that shaped the songwriting

External links

• Band page