Central Hotel - Peter Hammill

I found myself lying on the balcony

Stripling terror, naked to the bone;

The secret asteroid jungle nearly done for me —

I saw it all just a moment ago

I know I’d better watch out

For the Central Hotel…

I’m not going back

Repetition, superstition, singularity

Though every cell in the body has changed

The walls move in well-accustomed hilarity —

The circuit changes, but the joke stays the same

I know I’d better watch out

For the Central Hotel

I think I’d better get out

I’m not feeling so well

And I won’t be going back

Not if I can help it

I can’t help it, I can’t help it

If I still am what I was;

I can’t help it, I can’t help it

I can’t stop the therefore because I can’t help it

The grace of god shows I’ll be going on

I’ll be coming back

I know nothing of the miles of the marathon

I hear nothing of the footfall behind

I search for rhythm and I find that I haven’t one

Slow motion in the runner’s mind

I know I’d better watch out

For the Central Hotel

I think I’d better get out

I’m not feeling so well

I know I’d better check out

But anyone here can tell

I’ll be coming back, I’ll be back

I’m the Central Hotel

I’m the Central Hotel

I’m the Central Hotel