Schooldays

Jan:

It all began at the village school, a boy alone shunned by his peers
Found refuge in the printed word, I learned so much in those silent years
The teachers recognised my gift, I was sent away to learn
A scholarship, my golden chance, to escape the smalltown world

I took my rightful place with sons of privilege, sons of class
New ideas a new way of life, all expectations were surpassed
Narrow minded clergy with their scripture writ in foreign tongues
Knowledge Trees, Forbidden Fruits, Disciplined the Brightest One

I said "There's more in life than this.... for me"
I know there's more than this:

What use have I for parables? For Devils, sorcerers, saints?
Let learning, reason, light decide my Fate
A place to stand and make a choice, my values wrought anew
And with conscience clear become what I will

Then...

Then they cast me out, sent me back, back to whence I came

Brought down to earth, by legions of lesser men
Their envy fear and ignorance denied my chance to soar

They spoke of blasphemy, they spoke of heresy, and sin and pride
But they never spoke the Truth to me in all that time

But they, they will speak my name, they will know my name,
and fear my name again
Again, again, Jan Tregeagle's name will echo here again

My name will echo here again.