the nature of the beast

time's not a tube through which we swiftly pass
squeezed towards death as soon as we're conceived
it's the right side or not of the old looking-glass

the winner of the race knows himself an ass
no sooner are we born than we're bereaved
time's not a tube through which we swiftly pass

it doesn't matter that all flesh has become grass
that grows so quickly but still we've been deceived
it's the right side or not of the the old looking-glass

the story of the ages the meeting of lad and lass
each time they saw it the ancestors all grieved
time's not a tube through which we swiftly pass

it doesn't matter that we've won all the brass
we'll have to give up every penny we received
it's the right side or not of the old looking-glass

in the end nothing matters not charm and not class
about that at least the unhappiest will be relieved
time's not a tube through which we swiftly pass
it's the right side or not of the old looking-glass