Oyster Band Flatlands
In the middle of the journey, in the middle of the day I came to a city and I stopped to ask the way What does it matter? Said the people with a sneer You can't get there from here You may be a gallant runner, you may hobble with the lame There are forty crooked hedgerows and they all look just the same Traveling gets weary, you get funny in the head Stop right here instead Well, says I, I was only passing through I'd like to stop and rest a while, it's true Then I asked them for a job to do They gave me life insurance and a straw to chew Welcome to the flatlands All the maps agree Far as the eye can see It's level, dead level Flatlands: life meanders by Chew a straw and watch the grass grow high And it's stand we stand together, fall you fall alone Authority's a leash of love to bring you safely home Fools look out for trouble where foreign breezes blow Tell your children so They've got to keep things ticking, they must never go on strike They'll be standing there till Doomsday with their fingers in the dyke There's faith and hope and patience and patience is the best Turn your face from the rest Well, says I, I'm much obliged to you Everywhere I go I'm learning something new If I understand your point of view You don't believe we're dying our whole life through Welcome to the flatlands... And if they waste nothing they can keep their little pile And if they say nothing they will not be on file And if they see nothing no one will see them No one will take down their name And if they do not panic the pain will vanish soon And if they never sing they'll never be out of tune And if they are faithful they will get their reward And if they are meek they will be spared Well, says I, I was only passing through I'd better get a move on 'cause the days are few Poppies are red, cornflowers blue The scythe is sharp the mowing's due Welcome to the flatlands... Wonder where the flying years go Chew a straw and watch the grass grow high
