Beat a Drum (2nd take) Songtext
von R.E.M.

The sun reflected in the back of my eye
I knocked my head against the sky.

The dragonflies are busy buzzing me
Seahorses if we were in the sea.

Halfway from coal, halfway to diamond.
My fall knocked a mean chip out of me.

I′m gathering as far as I can reach
We're perched upon the precipice
And this is what I′ve seen.

This is all I want it's all I need
This is all I am it's everything
This is all I want it′s all I need.


A bluejay hectors from the felled Catalpa tree
A doctorate in science and a theologian′s dream.

The dragonflies are trying to lecture me
Seahorses if we were in the sea.

This is all I want it's all I need
This is all I am it′s everything
This is all I want it's all I need.

Beat a drum for me, like a butterfly wing
Tropical storm across the ocean.

Don′t explain, I'm sure I′ll want to know.
Don't forget, we're just halfway from coal.

This is all I want it′s all I need
This is all I am it′s everything
This is all I want it's all I need.