A Man Who's Been Around

by Clive James and Pete Atkin

I've drunk the wines of life to the lees
I knew the signs of life when they were trees
I've seen it all as near as dammit
Run the gauntlet and the gamut
You're looking at a man who's been around

I've hailed the kind, the true and the rare
I've sailed to find the new like Baudelaire
I've done the mad thing and the fun thing
Done it all except the done thing
You're smiling at a man who's been around

So a kid like you is nothing new to me
However pleased I seem to be to see you
However keen I seem to be to please you
Don't kid yourself you mean a thing to me

I've seen the blazing young hit the top
I've heard their praises sung and then they flop
I've seen the weeping and the laughter
Never needed looking after
You're staring at a man who's been
Through this before, get what I mean?
You're dealing with a man who's been around

I've watched a million things come to pass
I've watched a string of kings put out to grass
I've made the good scene and the bad scene
I've even sung the mad scene
You're smiling at a man who's been
Through the fat times and the lean
You're dealing with a man who's been around
You're dealing with a man who's been around