It was hard when we travelled to the Brave New World
As the storms fell upon us and the maelstrom swirled.
Everybody quickly realigning their sights
Reminded me of Moses and those Israelites
Believing they were leaving all the plagues behind.
There's nothing like an optimistic state of mind
That comes back to haunt you like a tallyman's debt!
Do yourself a favour - try never to forget
Who pays the ferryman?
Who pays the ferryman?
Who pays the ferryman
When all is said and done?
Let me think a minute...
We ducked and dissembled when the venom flew forth
From the heat of the south to the blizzards up north;
And we're ethically-sourced and yet still we are slaves
Who rise from the gutters, encircle our graves,
And all that we're asking as we gird up our loins
Is a little mazuma; a couple of coins
To see us to safety and across the abyss.
Not a person amongst us has asked themselves this:
Who pays the ferryman?
Who pays the ferryman?
Who pays the ferryman
When all is said and done?
Let me think about it...
Revolution came without a shot being fired,
Democracy always being greatly admired.
The Nobody, who claimed he was an Afghan vet,
Paraded with a placard saying "Not Dead Yet!"
Someone went to steal it as a matter of course;
Nobody resisted irresistible force.
There, standing at the foot of the companionway,
Better late than never, now he heard himself say,
"Who pays the ferryman?
Who pays the ferryman?
Who pays the ferryman
When all is said and done?
Let me think a minute..."
The ferryman sn******ged as he leaned on his pole.
The night out there was blacker than Lucifer's soul.
Those who had the pennies were all waiting to cross.
Those without? "I'm sorry, but I don't give a toss!"
Some had marked it down as such a scandalous waste,
Repenting at leisure for their indecent haste.
Check it out - and quickly! - with the rest of the gang;
Otherwise, for evermore the question will hang:
Who pays the ferryman?
Who pays the ferryman?
Who pays the ferryman
When all is said and done?
Who pays the ferryman?
Who pays the ferryman?
Who pays the ferryman
When all is said and done...
When all is said and done?