Lyrics David Sylvian

David Sylvian

Orpheus

Standing firm on this stony ground

The wind blows hard

Pulls these clothes around

I harbour all the same worries as most

The temptations to leave or to give up the ghost

I wrestle with an outlook on life

That shifts between darkness and shadowy light

I struggle with words for fear that they'll hear

But orpheus sleeps on his back still dead to the world

Sunlight falls, my wings open wide

There's a beauty here I cannot deny

And bottles that tumble and crash on the stairs

Are just so many people I knew never cared

Down below on the wreck of the ship

Are a stronghold of pleasures I couldn't regret

But the baggage is swallowed up by the tide

As orpheus keeps to his promise and stays by my side

Tell me, I've still a lot to learn

Understand, these fires never stop

Believe me, when this joke is tired of laughing

I will hear the promise of my orpheus sing

Sleepers sleep as we row the boat

Just you the weather and I gave up hope

But all of the hurdles that fell in our laps

Were fuel for the fire and straw for our backs

Still the voices have stories to tell

Of the power struggles in heaven and hell

But we feel secure against such mighty dreams

As orpheus sings of the promise tomorrow may bring

Tell me, I've still a lot to learn

Understand, these fires never stop

Please believe, when this joke is tired of laughing

I will hear the promise of my orpheus sing