A PAST WHICH NEVER EXISTED

[Chorus]
Most believe that a satisfactory future
Requires a return to an idealized past
A past which never in fact existed
Most believe that a satisfactory future
Requires a return to an idealized past
A past which never in fact existed

Only fools prefer the past
Only fools prefer the past
Memory never recaptures reality
Memory reconstructs
All reconstructions change the original
Becoming external frames of reference
That inevitably fall short
How soothing it is to forget
And how dangerous
How tempting it is to raise high walls
And keep out change
Right here in our own self-satisfied comfort

[Chorus]
Most believe that a satisfactory future
Requires a return to an idealized past
A past which never in fact existed
Most believe that a satisfactory future
Requires a return to an idealized past
A past which never in fact existed

Humans are born with a susceptibility
To that most persistent
And debilitating disease of intellect
Self deception
The best of all possible worlds
And the worst
Get their dramatic coloration from it
As nearly as we can determine
There is no natural immunity
Constant alertness is required
As nearly as we can determine
There is no natural immunity
Constant alertness is required

[Chorus]
Most believe that a satisfactory future
Requires a return to an idealized past
A past which never in fact existed
Most believe that a satisfactory future
Requires a return to an idealized past
A past which never in fact existed

A past which never in fact existed
A past which never in fact existed
A past which never in fact existed
A past which never in fact existed

[Chorus]
Most believe that a satisfactory future
Requires a return to an idealized past
A past which never in fact existed

[Akira The Don]
A past which never in fact existed
Which never in fact existed
A past which never in fact existed
Which never in fact existed
Most believe that a satisfactory future
Requires a return to an idealized past

A past which never in fact existed