heading south on the great north road

Sting

Many have gone before us now
Many have tried and failed somehow
Many a soul on the queen's highway
Where many a tail light glowed
With the promise of a better life
Heading south on the great north road
South on the great north road

Only the dark we left behind
Will chase us as the road unwinds
But out of sight is out of mind
With many a debt still owed
And the promise of a different life
Heading south on the great north road
South on the great north road

Many a dog went wandering
To sup on fortune's dregs
And many a dog came straggling home
His tail between his sorry legs

Many a caged bird spread his wings
Many a vain bird crowed
And many a songbird lost her way
Heading south on the great north road
South on the great north road

Many a band of brothers rode
In many a painted wagon
Many an unsecured load
Whenever a climbing truck was slowed
There was many a traveler's curse bestowed
Heading south on the great north road
South on the great north road

Many a transport greasy spoon
Many a wasted afternoon
Where many a maiden gave her heart
And many a gift bestowed
But a gift is a yoke to a traveling man
Heading south on the great north road
South on the great north road

If we get back home, we'll tell our tales
To all of those who'll listen
The might have beens, the chances lost
The monies that went missing

All the memories we'll unload
The wild oats that we'll claim we'd sowed
The stages where we proudly strode
As if our cups had over flowed
With the promise of a different life
Heading south on the great north road
South on the great north road