Highly Strung - Van Der Graaf Generator

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