On the Edge of a Cliff

I'm really okay, thanks
There's nothing to witness
I said as I looked back from the edge of a cliff
The old man looking down bent over the ridge
Struck 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

[Chorus:]
For billions of years since the outset of time
Every single one of your ancestors has survived
Every single person on your mum and dad's side
Successfully looked after and passed on to 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
Til the sound of him hiking turned to the sound of silence.
I just froze in a profound surprise
And from down on 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

[Chorus: Repeat 2X]