After All

Please trip them gently,

they don't like to fall,

Oh by jingo

There's no room for anger,

we're all very small,

Oh by jingo

We're painting our faces and

dressing in thoughts from the skies

From paradise.

They think that we're holding a secretive ball.

Won't someone invite them

They're just taller children,

that's all, after all.

 

Man is an obstacle,

sad as the clown,

Oh by jingo

So hold on to nothing,

and he won't let you down,

Oh by jingo

Some people are marching together

and some on their own

Quite alone.

Others are running,

the smaller ones crawl

But some sit in silence,

they're just older children

That's all, after all.

 

I sing with impertinence,

shading impermanent chords,

With my words

I've borrowed your time and

I'm sorry I called

But the thought just occurred that

we're nobody's children at all, after all.

 

Live your rebirth and

do what you will,

Oh by jingo

Forget all I've said,

please bear me no ill,

Oh by jingo

After all, after all.

Songtext: Bowie, David