Words & music by paul simon You got to learn how to fall Before you learn to fly And mama, mama it ain't no lie Before you learn to fly Learn how to fall You got to drift in the breeze Before you set your sails It's an occupation where the wind prevails Before you set your sails Drift in the breeze Oh and it's the same old story Ever since the world began Everybody got the runs for glory Nobody stop and scrutinize the plan Nobody stop and scrutinize the plan You got to learn how to fall Before you learn to fly The tank towns they tell no lie Before you learn to fly Learn how to fall