The song’s lyrics are about a poor old man, whose “prospects” for a good life “vanished”, now embattled and confused by today’s society.
[Verse 1]
What have you achieved now you're old
Did you fulfill ambition, do as you were told
Or are you still doing the same this year
Should I give sorrow, or turn around and sneer
[Verse 2]
I know that the prospects weren't all that good
But they improved, and I'd have thought that you could
Have strived for that something we all have deep inside
Not let it vanish, along with your pride
[Verse 3]
Now with the aid of your new walking stick
You hobble along through society thick
And look mesmerized by the face of it all
You keep to the gutter in case you fall
[Outro]
I can't go on
I can't go on
I can't go on
I can't go on
I, I, I, I...
Run of the Mill was written by Rob Halford & K.K. Downing & Glenn Tipton.
Run of the Mill was produced by Rodger Bain.
Judas Priest released Run of the Mill on Fri Sep 06 1974.