The Teacher

Words & music by paul simon There once was a teacher of great renown Whose words were like the tablets of stone Because it's easier to learn than unlearn Because we've pa*sed the point of no return Gather your goods and follow me Or you will surely die Verse: I was only a child of the city My parents were children of immigrant stock So we followed as followers go Over a mountain with a napkin of snow And ate the berries and roots That grow along the timberline Deeper and deeper the dreamer of love sleeps on a quilt of stars Bridge: It's cold Sometimes you can't catch your breath It's cold Verse: Time and abundance thickened his step So the teacher divided in two One half ate the forests and fields The other half s*cked all the moisture from the clouds And we, we were amazed at the power of his appetite Deeper and deeper the dreamer of love sleeps on a quilt of stars Verse: Sometimes we don't know who we are Sometimes force overpowers us and we cry My teacher carry me home Carry me home my teacher Carry me home Carry me home my teacher Carry me home