Mortality got a fair run on this album due to its circumstantial relevance. Followed quick on the heels of the album’s title track, after this Kellaway had truly been away. When threatened, it’s amazing how tenacious is the will to survive, despite in this case not seeing much of great value to be fighting for. This song imagines a more heroic figure, who had fought for good in countless battles, but then suddenly wearied of the whole shebang and promptly pulled up stumps. Finito, had enough, bye-bye.
lyrics
A MAN WOKE UP
A man woke up one icy, winter morning
Saw it as a sure sign, simple warning
The first time he had thought so much, about the why
Never even thought before, that he could die
I’ve seen so many men break down and cry
I’ve seen that dead look in the eye
I’ve seen such evil, can’t describe
But I’ve never given up, no not I
He wondered how his faith could fail, even falter
Saw it as a fate ordained, he couldn’t alter
He knew that he had reached the end, of a career
Knew he could no longer be, a foe of fear
I’ve seen so many men rise above the pain
I’ve seen the good prevail, the pure and sane
I’ve seen that evil cut down in swathes
And I’ve never given up, nor quit the maze
He tried again to rouse himself, tried to rise
He saw it as a sink or swim, no second prize
Knew it wasn’t good enough, his chances slim
A sudden chill of naked fear, came over him
I’ve seen so many men, down on their knees
I’ve seen the guillotine, heard their pleas
He knew that he had seen enough, knew he’d tried
The man who’d surely seen it all, he simply died
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