Betrayed - Peter Hammill

When I began I was full of altruistic dreams

Believed in princes and princesses, kings and queens —

Now I find they’re all human inside

All bitterness and pride

So why shouldn’t I be like that too?

It seems that I’ve forgotten all I tried so hard to learn;

It seems there’s not an ounce of love or trust

Anywhere in the world

Friends — they’re all harbouring knives

To embed in your back out of revenge, or spite

Or indifference, or lack of other things to do —

In the end just who’s going to be a friend for you

When they kick you in the guts just as your hand holds out the pearl?

It seems that there is nothing left but

Hatred and lust in the world

I don’t give a damn anymore — I’ve only wound up betrayed

It’s all been absolutely worthless —

All the efforts I’ve made to be gentle and kind

Are repaid with contempt

Degraded by sympathy and worthless kindness

And love that isn’t meant

I’m through with joy and company, I’ve done with pretty words

Betrayed — there’s no hiding-place

Anywhere in the world

I’ve nothing left to fight for except making my passion heard —

I don’t believe in anything

Anywhere in the world