Peter Hammill
Highly Strung
The beat, the beat at my temples;
My pulse, my pulse in a rush
I'm feeling increasingly mental
Legs shaking , my face flushed
The lights so bright in a dazzle
The pumping that thumps at my chest
I'm feeling increasingly frazzled
Need some comfort, need some bedrest
Or some kind of intervention
Cold sweat beading up on my brow
The hairs on my neck at attention
I don't know why but somehow
I'm highly strung, I'm stressed as hell
I bite my tongue, I hold my breath as well
The iron lung, the diving bell...
Time to depressurise, my nerves are shot to hell
The beat, the heat is astounding
The pressure, the tension full-blown
The static is cracking around me
I can't hold on, I can't let go...
I'm highly strung, panic attack
Can't do this one, can't go on with the act
I'm frozen on the topmost rung
I can't go on, I'm just too highly strung
Hold her steady as she goes
Just be ready, on your toes
Hold her steady...there she blows!
The case is shut, the song is sung
The wire's been cut and the acrobat's well hung