I used to know the reason, I knew the reason why.
I could turn my eyes to heaven, and I knew that I could fly.
And all the people round me were such an easy touch.
I took just what I needed, but I never needed much.

I used to be an angel, my father was well pleased.
I played my part in society, I made my monthly fees.
But now I'm at the peak of a professional career,
I looked into the mirror and then I knew what I had to fear.

I ran towards the border, but the soldiers pinned me down.
I waited till the evening and then I made it back to town.
All my friends were celebrating, but I could not face a drink.
I said goodbye and I knew why the world was on the brink!

I met a girl I used to know, she tried to touch my face.
She'd heard the rumour long before but she kept up her pace.
Her family was in Limbo, and her lover in Kathmandu.
She told me she could see me, but I never wanted to.

I drove a hundred miles down a dusty concrete track,
I saw the trucks and tankers running full and empty back.
And all the people praying on the hillside in the sun.
I heard a voice on the airwaves - it said
'YOU'RE WORK HAS JUST BEGUN!'

I used to know the reason, I knew the reason why.
I could turn my eyes to heaven, and I knew that I could fly.
And all the people round me were such an easy touch.
I took just what I needed, but you know I never needed much.

Notes.

Looking back, I can see this was about depression,
but I didn't know it at the time. I wrote most of it

parked up, overlooking the M25 motorway near

South Mimms in the County of Hertfordshire,

which feels, at times, like one of the most boring places

in the entire universe.