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On the Edge of a Cliff Lyrics
I'm really okay thanks, there's nothing to witness
I said as I looked back from the edge of the cliff
The old man looking down leant over the ridge
Stood with a grin as if a blessing had hit him
I slumped on the jut of the cliff
Just leave me alone, this is none of your business
I will said the old man, but just one thing
And what he said was so lovely it stunned me
He said I lay right there once at the edge of the rock
I was ready to jump, I was ever so lost
But this gentleman stopped and said something I never forgot
For billions of years since the outset of time
Every single one of your ancestors survived
Every single person on your mum and dad's sides successfully looked after and passed onto you life
What are the chances of that like?
It comes to me once in a while
And everywhere I tell folk it gets the best smile
And then the old man walked away and out of sight
Till the sound of him hiking turned to the sound of silence
I just froze at the profound surprise and from down at my pride I found a smile to my eyes
And for many days again I've been passing the same cliff and on many occasions I'd chance on the same thing
Laying in the moss, in the same way I was would be another man looking like he needed a change of luck
So I'd say I lay right there once at the edge of the rock
I was ready to jump, I was ever so lost
But this gentleman stopped and said something I never forgot
For billions of years since the outset of time
Every single one of your ancestors survived
Every single person on your mum and dad's sides successfully looked after and passed onto you life
What are the chances of that like?
It comes to me once in a while
And everywhere I tell folk it gets the best smile
For billions of years since the outset of time
Every single one of your ancestors survived
Every single person on your mum and dad's sides successfully looked after and passed onto you life
What are the chances of that like?
It comes to me once in a while
And everywhere I tell folk it gets the best smile
I said as I looked back from the edge of the cliff
The old man looking down leant over the ridge
Stood with a grin as if a blessing had hit him
I slumped on the jut of the cliff
Just leave me alone, this is none of your business
I will said the old man, but just one thing
And what he said was so lovely it stunned me
He said I lay right there once at the edge of the rock
I was ready to jump, I was ever so lost
But this gentleman stopped and said something I never forgot
Every single one of your ancestors survived
Every single person on your mum and dad's sides successfully looked after and passed onto you life
What are the chances of that like?
It comes to me once in a while
And everywhere I tell folk it gets the best smile
Till the sound of him hiking turned to the sound of silence
I just froze at the profound surprise and from down at my pride I found a smile to my eyes
And for many days again I've been passing the same cliff and on many occasions I'd chance on the same thing
Laying in the moss, in the same way I was would be another man looking like he needed a change of luck
So I'd say I lay right there once at the edge of the rock
I was ready to jump, I was ever so lost
But this gentleman stopped and said something I never forgot
Every single one of your ancestors survived
Every single person on your mum and dad's sides successfully looked after and passed onto you life
What are the chances of that like?
It comes to me once in a while
And everywhere I tell folk it gets the best smile
Every single one of your ancestors survived
Every single person on your mum and dad's sides successfully looked after and passed onto you life
What are the chances of that like?
It comes to me once in a while
And everywhere I tell folk it gets the best smile
Song Info
Submitted by
muzak On Sep 11, 2008
More The Streets
Dry Your Eyes
The Irony Of It All
Blinded by the Lights
Fit But You Know It
Empty Cans
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im surprised there are no comments on this one. i cried a few tears of joy after hearing this song for the first time. it has been a minute since i have done anything like that. despite what pitchfork says this record has alot of positivity and inspiration to give. thank you mike skinner.
This song makes me be greatful for being alive. To me it's such a positive song.
"For billions of years since the outset of time Every single one of your ancestors survived Every single person on your mum and dad's sides successfully looked after and passed onto you life What are the chances of that, like?"
Thats just such a beautiful thought!
And once again I am in awe of Mike Skinner. His lyrics always hit me straight in my heart.
What a great song. I had been fascinated by The Streets for a while and every song that I have heard has had an important message that dusts away the confusion in my head. Today I heard this song and I had chills running up spine, really.
"For billions of years since the outset of time Every single one of your ancestors survived Every single person on your mum and dad's sides successfully looked after and passed onto you life What are the chances of that, like?"
This hit me hard. I sat there just imagining all of those people who lived their lives and passed down their knowledge, happiness, sadness and wisdom so that I could be alive and well. How could I waste this gift? It is a powerful saying and the thoughts that are unleashed by those simple words are profound.
We are all unique and blessed in a sense that our ancestors survived to allow us to be. What are the chances of that! Please go and tell folks this. Repeat these great profound words to those depressed and troubled. :)
This song has inspired me to keep on keeping on, even in the lowest points of my life. I owe Mike Skinner my life. Also one of the best songs ever, it goes deeper than most people think.
to me this song seems to be about uncertainty. it seems like giving up always seems like the easy option, but then again your parents, your parents parents, and their parents didnt give up that easy, and hence you're in the world today.
the song seems to tell the story of life being passed on as a cycle. everyone always has doubts about something, but if life wasnt hard what would the point be.
the blessing of life > giving up easily.
I love this song, it made me buy The Streets album. I think it has another message besides don't kill yourself. It's also about giving something good back. The old man tells him "For Billions of years..." and in the end, he ends up telling someone the same thing. It's about giving something back in the world.
i too am suprised this has few comments. one of the streets best lyrical pieces. Its about a man who is contemplating suicide. The chorus "For billions of years since the outset of time Every single one of your ancestors survived Every single person on your mum and dad's sides successfully looked after and passed onto you life" is uttured to him and this instills him with a sense of purpose. That his life grants life to future generations. and i guess he is cutting the long line of ancestors short by ending his life.
This is probably my favorite streets song, Even over the Original Pirate Material album. Its so mellow and I have listened to it several times on repeat before and its not seemed repetitive at all, such an easy song to listen to with such easy lyrics to pick up and understand. Very Mike Skinner straight to the point yet stunning at the same time.
don't kill yourself