Such a sad procession

winding down the lane

What a strange impression

was 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 wonder what it meant



But 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 as his hands shook,

his aura eaten by his jealousy

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"



And whatever needs to happen

let it happen, let it be

through all I am protected

grace is effected over me

The D.J. took his vengeance

as the weding guests arrive



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 hallelujah split the night

anarchists and priests were playing stripjack

underneath the crude lamplight

I came upon a weeping soldier

he said "I'm all washed up now hush !"

But when I glanced across his shoulder

he held the 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 breathing

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



Whatever needs to happen

let it happen, let it be

through all I am protected

grace is effected

over me