Such a sad procession
winding down the lane
What a strange impression
was branded on my brain

A band was playing endless mindless
It was like a hooligan's lament
It was dumb but it was timeless
I still wonder what it meant

But whatever needs to happen
let it happen, let it be
through all I am protected
grace is effected over me

"Behold the lights of London"
the skipper said as his hands shook,
his aura eaten by his jealousy
and all the drugs he took
He said "This is the real world, Buddy

Toughen up your ass or it'll break"
I said "I'm not your buddy, Buddy
and your real world is a fake"

And whatever needs to happen
let it happen, let it be
through all I am protected
grace is effected over me
The D.J. took his vengeance
as the weding guests arrive

There was malice in his handshake,
quicksand in his eyes
As he slunk across the courtyard
from far-off I heard a horn
Somewhere in the bleak mid-distance
something beautiful is born

And whatever needs to happen
let it happen, let it be
through all I am protected
grace is effected over me

I stumbled down a street of shadows
a black hallelujah split the night
anarchists and priests were playing stripjack
underneath the crude lamplight
I came upon a weeping soldier
he said "I'm all washed up now hush !"
But when I glanced across his shoulder
he held the royal flush

And whatever needs to happen
let it happen, let it be
through all I am protected
grace is effected over me
I'm still here, I'm still breathing
I'm who I thought I was or just about
I'll be walking down this boulevard
until my legs give out

Thoughts like storms and seas are raging
I know it is a matter of degree
but it's not the world outside that's changing
it's me

And whatever needs to happen
let it happen, let it be
through all I am protected
grace is effected over me

Whatever needs to happen
let it happen, let it be
through all I am protected
grace is effected
over me