They're seriously saying it's prolonging me life
if I'll only submit to the surgical knife?
but what are the odds, on a month or a week?
when the betting shop's closing its doors, so to speak.
When you're tied to a pump and a breathing machine
with their X-rays and probes and their monitor screens
and they'll wake you up hungry, saying "How do you feel?"
and then you're stuffed full of pills and a barium meal.
Prolonging me life? Now that's some kind of joke
I'd be laughing me head off and I'd probably choke
the spirit's still willing, but the rest of me's weak
now the bets are all off and the prospects look bleak.
When you're laid like a piece of old meat on the slab
and they'll cut and they'll slice, and they'll poke and they'll jab
and they'll grill ye and burn ye, and they'll wish ye good health
with their radium chemo and God knows what else?
Well you can't fault the science, though the logic is weak
is it really an eternal life we should seek?
that ship has sailed, that ship has sailed
that ship has already sailed, so to speak.
Our mission is more than a struggle for breath
for a few extra rounds in a fight to the death
when our mission is love, and compassion and grace
it's not a test of endurance, or a marathon race.
For love is the sabre, and love is the shield
love is the only true power we wield
an eternal love, is all you should seek
That ship will be ready to sail, so to speakC]
I hear what you're saying because I've heard it before
but I'm afraid if I let what is past through my door
how long would you stay, a month or a week
when that ship has already sailed, so to speak?
Should I settle for something that's safe on this Earth?
what would it profit me, what is it worth?
if I lose something precious, completely unique?
when it's only eternity's love we should seek.
For when that ship sails, and the course has been set
and the wind's in the offing and the sails have been let
and the hatches are full, and the hull doesn't leak
that ship has already to sail, so to speak.
I'm tired and fading and losing the light
and I've no way to tell if it's day or it's night
follow your heart, it's the harbour you seek.
And this ship is ready to sail,
this ship is ready to sail,
this ship is ready to sail, so to speak...