Charm Alone Songtext
von Peter Hammill

This public face I′m prepared to wear
My private thoughts, I keep them all well hidden
I set myself up for a fall
It was all that I owned
So I relied on my charm alone
I backed away from the untoward
I'd stacked the odds, I thought, in my own favour
The tables turned – it′s all given away
He who pays for the piper gets to call in the loans
You don't get far on your charm alone
Over and over, again and again
I played it by ear 'til the short straw was drawn, then
Lie in the bed I made my own


A lucky man trusting charm alone
I took you into my confidence
I bared my soul in all my doubt and weakness
I never thought I′d be overheard
My words were meant for your ears alone
I revealed all my secrets so my cover was blown
In whispered words through a megaphone
In action and motive, in practiced behaviour
I sought out advancement
I thought I was blessed, I thought I was special
But now nothing′s left, and so I sold my soul
I bought the farm
You only get so far on your charm alone