Phil Ochs Follow

In the tube where I was born
I could have sworn
There was so much to see
There was so little to be
But I was free

World at my command
Through the dots I ran
Looking for a man
Who looked like me

And now it can be told
I'm a quarter of a century old
But I'm half a century high

In the tube where I was raised
I was amazed
On the pictures I would lean
That went flashing on the screen

Oh, I was dazed
But then my eyes were made
Hypnotized, insane [unverified]
Buried in my brain
In a blinding blaze

And now it can be told
I'm a quarter of a century old
But I'm half a century high

In the tube where I was grown
I was alone
The figure on the floor
(Laying on the floor)
The dream behind the door
(I'd lock the closet door)

The sound was low
Ballgames on the street
Disappeared behind my feet
Out of breath my heart would be
To see another show

And now it can be told
I'm a quarter of a century old
But I'm half a century high

In the tube where I was made
I was afraid
Spinning through the space
Another scene, another face
Another shade

Mirror of my mind
On electric wheels of wine
Living on the lines
That were displayed

And now it can be told
I'm a quarter of a century old
But I'm half a century high

In the tube where I was fed
I lost my head
I watch the lives they led
Watch them to the end

And then again
An open kind of laugh
I gave all the mind I had
And whenever I was sad
I had my friends

And now it can be told
I'm a quarter of a century old
But I'm half a century high

In the tube where I was killed
I was fulfilled
Such an easy way to win
Talking to my twin
No sign of sin

The sacrifice was small
Fascination was the fall
I was extended by the wall
That held me in

And now it can be told
I'm a quarter of a century old
But I'm half a century high

In the tube where I was killed
I was fulfilled
The lies of light would bend
I'd stare until the end
And then again

Faded and the fad
I gave all the mind I had
And whenever I was sad
I had my friends

And now it can be told
I'm a quarter of a century old
But I'm half a century high

In the tube where I was born
I could have sworn
There was so much to see
There was so little to be
But I was free

World at my command
Through the dots I ran
Looking for a man
Who looked like me

And now it can be told
I'm a quarter of a century old
But I'm half a century high