Lyric discussion by Edinburgh_Iain 

Cover art for Civilisation lyrics by Joe Gideon & The Shark

Corrected lyrics (as far as I can tell):

My father told me that the world was flat

And I was happy in my sweet pancake world Was my fathers child, never questioned what daddy told But the seed of doubt got in me and it grew into a tree Its doubting branches got a hold of me.

In order to believe I had to learn some home truths And these kinds of truths you can't learn at home With your mother watching over you. I had to educate myself, experience things first hand.

I went on a learning, to learn the ways of man. I went on a learning, to learn the ways of man.

Acquainted myself with the Greeks, spent some time in Rome Stayed in a monastery till the monks told me to go Tried fast food, and slow food and meals between meals Bought myself a new nose and a new set of wheels.

My mother was tickled pink when I called her the other day It might have been collect but she always likes to pay Dispensed with pleasantries, got down to brass tacks Placed an ad in the dailies for a female with vital stats.

I went on a learning, to learn the ways of man. I went on a learning, to learn the ways of man.

I was a writer, a musician, a fishmonger, a politician I went all spastic like Lars von Trier Wrote a book which was a spectacular success Spent all my earnings on weed and crystal meth.

I went on a learning, to learn the ways of man. I went on a learning, to learn the ways of man.

Bought a bicycle in Clapham where I roamed the early hours Picked up the Queen and he showed me his crown jewels Made myself mysterious with a haircut and a hat Worked the 9 to 5 at Debenhams, rented a flat Lasted until my lunch break and then I took off There wasn't a moment to lose I'd already wasted the morning selling another man shoes

I went on learning, to learn the ways of man. I went on learning, to learn the ways of man. I went on learning, to learn the ways of man. I went on learning, to learn the ways of man.

Sold all my possessions, didn't speak for several years There was a light, there was a sound, someone whistled in my ear It was time to return home for I had the knowledge of man And the learnings I had made, I had to tell my mum and dad The circumference of a circle is twice the diameter within The centre of which the universe begins The radius is like your aura which around you glows The proton and the neutron know which way to go Said it's only natural if I'd given them a fright Told this to my dad who told me his belt was too tight Mother didn't say a word, but I know she heard And now I learnt the meaning of Mum's The Word.