John Lennon's handwritten lyrics for Beatles hit A Day In The Life are expected to sell for more than $500,000 when they go under the hammer today.
The controversial song was the final track of the band's 1967 album Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which spent 27 weeks at the top of the British charts.
The double-sided sheet of paper features the lyrics - starting with “I read the news today oh boy” - written in capital letters, along with cross-outs and corrections.
According to Sotheby’s, the document provides a “rare glimpse into the Beatles’ songwriting dynamic” with Lennon noting where Paul McCartney (now Sir Paul) would insert his upbeat verses.
A Day In The Life was banned by the BBC when it was released because of the line "I'd love to turn you on" which supposedly encouraged drug use.
The track was also left off the album when it was released in a number of Asian countries.
The lyrics, which previously belonged to Beatles road manager Mal Evans, have a guide price of $500,000 to $700,000 for the sale in New York.
Reuters