The plain stretched out before me as far as the slate grey sky I told her I was leaving with the migrant birds to fly I said she might expect me with the coming of the spring When the birds return back home again with new-found songs to sing. I hit out on the highway, high on the rising sun I felt my spirit rising, my journey was newly begun The joy of expectation rose in my heart with a song The courage of conviction carried my journey along. I bathed in the lake of comfort, the milk of my mother's breast The son of constant sorrow sank to his knees in the West I prayed to my God for guidance to find there was no-one but me There was just the open highway as far as my eyes could see. Throughout my endless journey I have been searching for paradise lost I now retrace my footsteps with the burden of infinite cost I see myself returning alone with my head held high The plain stretched out before me as far as the slate grey sky.