Lyric discussion by BillIamBillIam 

As I passed along, trying to move up in the world, someone heading in quite the opposite direction reminded me of the man I used to be; so deeply, in fact, that it was like I was seeing my ‘former self’. As he passed, I continued to think about my previous self-seeking ways – the way I used to be. Though I think of my ‘former self’ as an old friend – I would not expect that he would say the same of me (his future self) because… I have done everything that I can to put him behind me, put away those evil ways. So, it was surprising, the closeness I felt to my old personality. I said to ‘myself’, “Didn’t I put away the old personality along with its practices, a long time ago.”

My old personality, though, as it turns out, was not deadened, as I had thought.
In fact, it has always been leading me about as a slave.
I must face the fact that I am my own worst enemy, the one who forfeited my own future.

Resigned, I shrugged off the thought, and went back to ‘business as usual’.
For years and years, I pursued happiness for myself in search of some foundation of real value to build my life around, where I could stand on my own two feet, yet I wandered. I turned to looking intently at others; maybe somebody out there – out of all the people here in the world – might have the answer? But no, they’re all as lost as I am! And apparently the future of all mankind was lost a long, long time ago.

If anyone has the answer, it is certainly not me.
The wicked and foolish have never lost control.
Look into the face of anybody who simply goes with the flow of the system… And you are looking at an unwitting supporter of the One who sold into slavery, the world of mankind.

“The ‘Man’ who sold the world”

(You do it to yourself; we did it to ourselves.)

@BillIamBillIam Yeah former self, good point

@BillIamBillIam I really enjoyed reading your interpretation. It's my favorite one. You must be a writter, you write so proufoundly. Too bad you didn't do this with any other songs..

@BillIamBillIam I AS JUST TRYING TO FIND IF THERE WAS SECRET MESSAGE . HI MY NAME IS JOHN . BOY SCOUTS . LAWSUIT ? GIL WAS THE NAME OF A GUY .. OK PINK FLOYDE .. YOU LIKE ? MAN ON FIRE . WOWO ..? STUNT MAN STEVEE AND MARTINS ,,.... OK COINS MACHINES .. EUROPE FAKE CHANGE COINS MADE OUTA LEAD FLASHINGS FROM ROOF .. STUCK IN MACHINES PIN BALL AND GUM BALL .. OK COINSEDENCES , MY NAME IS JOHN JOHN AND THE MAN...

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