The Mortal Coil & The Midnight Oil Lyrics

Death be not proud but damned if it ain't smug

First it's lurking on the outskirts then it's pulling out the rug

Ever-looming, always laughing, like your grave's already dug

Only so much breath in your chest 'til it's sucked out of your lungs

Damocles' dagger is so daunting as it dangles

As the tether turns taut try not to tremble at the ankles

While your head is screaming "roll up those sleeves and grab a handle

Or your sole remnants will be but a portrait on the mantle"

Well I've heard a million times I'll be reaping what I sew

But it's hard for a sitting duck to get itself in a row

Force myself to gnash my teeth, clench my fist and lay a blow

Better get ready to murder or you'll be left eating crow

Well

The mortal coil keeps me yearning

While the midnight oil's burning and burning

The mortal coil keeps me yearning

While the midnight oil's burning and burning

We're all carrying crosses but if you want that weight lessened

There's rumour that the path we walk has always been predestined

Now it takes a lot of faith to think that idea needs investin'

Some folks think they got answers to the most ultimate question

What a comfort it must be to think it's all predetermined

It's the most unholy notion from the most ungodly sermon

Try to tell this to yourself, and you'll never get a word in

Cuz if your rhyme's got no reason, that's a fatalistic burden

And as this petty pace keeps creeping

What makes every step a worthwhile endeavour

Is knowing that old heart of yours won't tick forever

Whoa no

One, two, three, four

The mortal coil keeps me yearning

While the midnight oil's burning and burning

The mortal coil keeps me yearning

While the midnight oil's burning and burning

The mortal coil keeps me yearning

While the midnight oil's burning and burning

The mortal coil keeps me yearning

While the midnight oil's burning and burning

Burning and burning

Burning and burning

Burning and burning

Burning and burning