Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Peter Hammill
Canonical path: /peter-hammill/a-headlong-stretch-v-backwards-man
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
A Headlong Stretch: v. Backwards Man
Read A Headlong Stretch: v. Backwards Man lyrics by Peter Hammill on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
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Curated by Ethan Walker
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Lyrics
A Headlong Stretch: v. Backwards Man
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It's only looking backwards
that you retrace your hand
it's only in a moment of reversal
that you can see where you stand
ease out, come through the film and through the mirror
welcome the backwards man.
Oh yes, the beach still stirs the ocean,
and soon the tide will turn the moon round
all is forgiven and all was foreseen -
all's as it ever could be.
Ends forced motive out of meaning
means all even out in the end
retracing steps
in the process you learn to stand,
learn to walk again
so much gets forgotten, so much is forsworn
in retrospect.
Did I really do that?
Was I ever so young....?
It's here, looking backwards
that you confront your own face
it's only in such moments of reversal
that you're secure in place.
Through the fire backwards
again and again
return to base.
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Who performs "A Headlong Stretch: v. Backwards Man"?
Peter Hammill performs "A Headlong Stretch: v. Backwards Man", and this lyric page sits inside the Peter Hammill catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "A Headlong Stretch: v. Backwards Man"?
Yes. The related section below points to The Institute Of Mental Health, Burning and A Headlong Stretch: iii. The Twelve with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Peter Hammill?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Peter Hammill's lyric pages.
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