Lyrics Betrayed - Peter Hammill

Betrayed

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