measure of duty

our obligation's never quite enough
we always end up with some sort of grief
while there's some idiot telling us life's tough

each morning we wake up grouchy and gruff
too short a sleep seems not to bring relief
our obligation's never quite enough

we take things easy just when they're most rough
yet mourn the imprint of each fallen leaf
while there's some idiot telling us life's tough

we know something's out there it's not a bluff
there really is some substance solid beef
our obligation's never quite enough

your ear's still warm from sudden ringing cuff
you hope our ship will wind up on the reef
while there's some idiot telling us life's tough

perhaps we'll turn out to have the right stuff
walk tall not creep like hungry furtive thief
our obligation's never quite enough
while there's some idiot telling us life's tough