In the middle of the journey, in the middle of the day  I came to a city and I stopped to ask the way  What does it matter? Said the people with a sneer  You can't get there from here  You may be a gallant runner, you may hobble with the lame  There are forty crooked hedgerows and they all look just the same  Traveling gets weary, you get funny in the head  Stop right here instead  Well, says I, I was only passing through  I'd like to stop and rest a while, it's true  Then I asked them for a job to do  They gave me life insurance and a straw to chew  Welcome to the flatlands  All the maps agree  Far as the eye can see  It's level, dead level  Flatlands: life meanders by  Chew a straw and watch the grass grow high  And it's stand we stand together, fall you fall alone  Authority's a leash of love to bring you safely home  Fools look out for trouble where foreign breezes blow  Tell your children so  They've got to keep things ticking, they must never go on strike  They'll be standing there till Doomsday with their fingers in the dyke  There's faith and hope and patience and patience is the best  Turn your face from the rest  Well, says I, I'm much obliged to you  Everywhere I go I'm learning something new  If I understand your point of view  You don't believe we're dying our whole life through  Welcome to the flatlands...  And if they waste nothing they can keep their little pile  And if they say nothing they will not be on file  And if they see nothing no one will see them  No one will take down their name  And if they do not panic the pain will vanish soon  And if they never sing they'll never be out of tune  And if they are faithful they will get their reward  And if they are meek they will be spared  Well, says I, I was only passing through  I'd better get a move on 'cause the days are few  Poppies are red, cornflowers blue  The scythe is sharp the mowing's due  Welcome to the flatlands...  Wonder where the flying years go  Chew a straw and watch the grass grow high