I saw the railway master, and I looked him in the eye

Said "Would you go much faster,

if you thought that you would die?"

He said "Not me sir, I could not care, in fact I would not try.

For protest would not take me far,

it's different me not being a star."

I locked my feelings in a jar, until another day



Oh comfort me dear brother, won't you tell me what you know.

For somewhere in this paper world is a place where I can go.

Oh long-awaited mother, is it time to make a show?

And take your babies to your breasts

you know we never passed the test.

And all our sins should be confessed before we carry on.



Oh, don't refuse me,

if you choose me, you'll follow my shame.

No, don't confuse me,

for I know it's the name of the game.



I got up off my pillow and I looked up at the sun

Said "You can see quite clearly now,

the things that we have done.

We've burned your sacred willow and our battles, we have won.

But did we get so very far?

It's different me not being a star."

I lock my feelings in a jar, until they go away.



Oh, don't refuse me,

if you choose me, you'll follow my shame.

No, don't confuse me,

for I know it's the name of the game.



(c)1972 Pete Ham