Yes, I know Ian was almost certainly referring to the folly of work, perhaps as he saw it from the perspective of an artist, or perhaps, as others have suggested, as a comment to the labour strikes and conditions in late 1970s Britain when he penned the lyrics. However, my obscure interpretation is going to be a photo of the Folly Theater in downtown Kansas City, Missouri that I took one evening from the hotel window opposite.
This 116 year old theater is still very much working and started its life as a burlesque and vaudeville hall. I am sure that many people over the century have had reasons to be cheerful attending The Folly!
#r2bcheerful #r2bcheerful3
searching4theshot 
It looks more like a watercolor than a photo. Impressive. The perspective reminds me of Edward Hopper’s etching called “Night Shadows.”
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Thank you, Brian. Wow, that’s a great comparison, I am flattered!
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