I sat me down to write a simple story   which maybe in the end became a song   In trying to find the words which might begin it   I found these were the thoughts I brought along     At first I took my weight to be an anchor   and gathered up my fears to guide me round   but then I clearly saw my own delusion   and found my struggles further bogged me down     In starting out I thought to go exploring   and set my foot upon the nearest road   In vain I looked to find the promised turning   but only saw how far I was from home     In searching I forsook the paths of learning   and sought instead to find some pirate's gold   In fighting I did hurt those dearest to me   and still no hidden truths could I unfold     I sat me down to write a simple story   which maybe in the end became a song   The words have all been writ by one before me   We're taking turns in trying to pass them on   Oh, we're taking turns in trying to pass them on