What's it Worth? lyrics

What's it worth to be safe?

What's the way to be sane?

I could throw myself at the garden

on my hands,

prune the lawn and mow the roses,

but I never really understand

how to go to be free;

in the end I only want to be me.

Winter days here are mine;

still, no bites...what's my line?

I could hurl myself at the bonfire

with all verve,

clear the path and weed the dead leaves,

but I really just don't have the nerve

to be part of that scene...

is this just some kind of strange dream?

Think I'll walk to the steeple, where the people

are so inquisitive.

I could make it to the corner store and buy

a hoard of derivatives,

now.

Which way now...climb or coast?

Will my eggs ever poach?

I could throw myself into the frying pan

for the sake of my name,

hit the road or smile hermetically,

but it's really never quite the same:

every time a subtle twist.

I think I'll grab my plot

and simply exist.

Or would that be

a subtle slash at my wrists?

• Artist:Peter Hammill
• Album:Chameleon in the Shadow of the Night - 1973