The Same Old Rock - Roy Harper

All along the ancient wastes the thin reflections spin

That gather all the times and tides at once we love within

That build the edges round the shrouds that cloud the setting sun

And carry us to other days and other days to one

And full the single stillness of the mirror that is made

By each and every one of all the colours in a shade

Inside each eye is sitting like the sword inside the blade

And longs for once upon a chance to open love’s cascade

For here we stand — hand to hand

Fighting for the Promised Land

And you try to tell me with consternation

That you have found me a brand new lock

Then you try to warn me that there’s only one combination

One new sling — the same old rock

There is a famous straggler stood on the edge of time

Who held the staff but did not feel the pain

He multiplied the mystery with utterance sublime

And crossed his heart for those who died insane

His friend a restless mouthpiece 7000 years of age

Trends to flash a face to shape his ways

Everlasting light is burning bright inside his cage

He’s only got to breathe to fan the blaze

Such a groove to have him here on-board Her Ladyship

The man who makes his living out of bed

Such a gas to see him flying through his ceaseless lip

One day, someday soon, he’ll lose his head

And withering in the galleries with eyes fixed on the door

Are who and you and me and thanks a lot

And those who see but cannot stand to walk on any floor

For fear that good is something bad is not

But loud and clear is the call

In black and white across your wall

Damn it all, man, can’t you see

And you try to tell me with consternation

That you have found me a brand new lock

Then you try to warn me that there’s only one combination

One new sling — the same old rock