Half A Century High - Phil Ochs

In the tube where I was born

I could have sworn

There was so much to see

There was so little to be

But I was free

World at my command

Through the dots I ran

Looking for a man who looked like me

And now it can be told

I’m a quarter of a century old

But I’m half a century high

In the tube where I was raised

I was amazed

On the pictures I would lean

That went flashing on the screen

Oh, I was dazed

But then my eyes were made

Hypnotized insane

Buried in my brain

In a blinding blaze

And now it can be told

I’m a quarter of a century old

But I’m half a century high

In the tube where I was grown

I was alone

The figure on the floor

The dream behind the door

The sound was low

Ballgames on the street

Disappeared behind my feet

Out of breath my heart would be

To see another show

And now it can be told

I’m a quarter of a century old

But I’m half a century high

In the tube where I was made

I was afraid

Spinning through the space

Another scene, another face

Another shade

Mirror of my mind

On electric wheels of wine

Living on the lines that were displayed

And now it can be told

I’m a quarter of a century old

But I’m half a century high

In the tube where I was fed

I lost my head

I watch the lives they led

Watch them to the end

And then again

An open kind of laugh

I gave all the mind I had

And whenever I was sad

I had my friends

And now it can be told

I’m a quarter of a century old

But I’m half a century high

In the tube where I was killed

I was fulfiled

Such an easy way to win

Talking to my twin

No sign of sin

The sacrifice was small

Fascination was the fall

I was extended by the wall that held me in

And now it can be told

I’m a quarter of a century old

But I’m half a century high

In the tube where I was killed

I was fulfilled

The lies of light would bend

I’d stare until the end

And then again

Faded and the fad

I gave all the mind I had

And whenever I was sad

I had my friends

And now it can be told

I’m a quarter of a century old

But I’m half a century high

In the tube where I was born

I could have sworn

There was so much to see

There was so little to be

But I was free

World at my command

Through the dots I ran

Looking for a man who looked like me

And now it can be told

I’m a quarter of a century old

But I’m half a century high