The Last Dance (El Gitano Viejo) Songtext
von Ken Hensley

I met a sad old gypsy on the road to Berlin
By chance, I got to spend a little time with him
We shared a few life stories on that dusty old train
So I thought I′d take a minute
Just to share them again with you

He talked of all the twists and turns he'd taken in life
And how his spirit clung to God to do what was right
Sure, he got the prize, but he never counted the cost
I felt his pain as he shared with me all that he had lost
(All that he had lost)

If you could only see what was there in his eyes
An eternity of wandering in search of the prize
He′d had it all, the money, all the fame and romance
And now he shed a tear as he faced the last dance


"The blessing comes but once", he said
"But it's not for you, it must be shared
And if you keep it for yourself
You'll be no use to anyone else
And he who gives will take away
And you will face the same dark day
That even now is all my pain
I′ll never have this dance again"

Chances, dances, how quickly this life passes
All our hopes and all our dreams get lost in all our selfish schemes
It′s not about you, it's not about me
It′s all about loving something we can't see
It′s all about what we are willing to share
It's about our hearts and who lives there

As the train moved into the station
His head as if to say
It′s your turn now, just know the game
That you're about to play
And it seemed as if right there and then
A light came to his eyes
As he exchanged the dance of life
For a far better prize

And so the wise old gypsy drifted slowly away
Beaten by the game he'd taught so many to play
He said, "I′d do it all again if I had the chance
But I′m ready now for one more bow
I'll take the last dance"