I was surprised
I was happy for a day in 1975
I was puzzled by a dream
It stayed with me all day in 1995
My brother had confessed he was gay
It took the heat off me for a while
He stood up with a sailor friend
Made it known upon my sister's wedding day
I got married in a rush
To save a kid from being deported and now she's in love
I was so touched
I was moved to kick the crutches from my crippled friend
And she was not impressed
'Cause I cured her on the Sabbath, so I went to confess
When she saw the funny side
We introduced my child bride to whiskey and gin, to whiskey and gin
The priest in the booth had a photographic memory
For all he had heard
And he took all of my sins and he wrote a pocket novel called
"The State I Am In"
And so I gave myself to God
There was a pregnant pause before he said okay
Now I spend my days turning tables 'round in Marks & Spencer's
They don't seem to mind
I gave myself to sin
I gave myself to providence
And I've been there and back again
The state that I am in
I gave myself to sin
I gave myself to Providence
And I've been there and back again
The state that I am in
Oh love of mine, would you condescend to help me
'Cause I'm stupid and blind
And desperation is the devil's work
It is the folly of a boy's empty mind
And now I'm feeling dangerous
Riding on city buses for a hobby is sad
Lead me to a living end
I promised that I'd entertain my crippled friend, my crippled friend
I gave myself to sin
I gave myself to Providence
And I've been there and back again
The state that I am in
I gave myself to sin
I gave myself to Providence
And I've been there and back again
The state that I am in
I gave myself to sin
I gave myself to Providence
And I've been there and back again
The state that I am in
I gave myself to sin
I gave myself to Providence
And I've been there and back again
The state that I am in
I gave myself to sin
And I've been there and back again, oh yeah