Such a sad procession, winding down the lane

And what a strange impression is branded on my brain

A band was playing -- endless, mindless

It was like a hooligan's lament

It was dumb, but it was timeless

I still don't know what it meant



And whatever needs to happen

Let it happen, let it be

Through all i am protected

Grace is effected

Over me



Behold the lights of london!

The skipper said that his hands shook

His aura eaten by his jealously and all the drugs he took

He said "this is the real world buddy!

Toughen up your ass, or it'll break."

I said "i'm not your buddy, buddy,

And your real world is a fake."



(here comes the peace campaigner

She says the end justifies her means

Her words so full of reason fell like napalm on my dreams

I said "peace is not a word, never!"

She calls me traitor, i just grin

I said "you've gotta live it every moment,

Or else you're just sucking wind")



And whatever needs to happen

Let it happen, let it be

Through all i am protected

Grace is effected

Over me



(the dj casts his malediction

As the wedding guests appear

It was as cruel as any fiction

I still carry the souvenir)

/

(the dj took his vengeance

As the wedding guests arrived

There was malice in his handshake

Quicksand in his eyes)

As he slunk across the courtyard

From far off i heard a horn

Somewhere in the bleak mid-distance

Something beautiful is born



And whatever needs to happen

Let it happen, let it be

Through all i am protected

Grace is effected

Over me



I stumbled down a street of shadows

A black alleluia split the night

(prostitutes / anarchists) and priests were playing stripjack

Underneath the cruel lamplight

I came upon a weeping soldier

He said "i'm all washed up now, huh"

But when i glanced across his shoulder

He held a royal flush



And whatever needs to happen

Let it happen, let it be

Through all i am protected

Grace is effected

Over me



I'm still here, i'm still wheeling

I'm who i thought i was, or just about

I'll be walking down this boulevard

Until my legs give out

Thoughts like storms and seas are raging

I know it is a matter of degree

But it's not the world outside that's changing

It's me!



And whatever needs to happen

Let it happen, let it be

Through all i am protected

Grace is effected

Over me

Over me

Over me

Over me

Over me

Over me

Over me

Grace is effected

Over me


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