Let the eyes hold what the lids can contain

From the overflow of the world

Let the cider press hold the skin and the stain

And the cider run clear and cold

You're just playing Jerusalem against Athens

Reason and the passions

Thought into action

Strangers play Jerusalem against Athens

Just to see what happens

Just to feed the fashion for it

Two men brought low by the drinking of wine

One did but sing the other but sigh

That skin must learn its lines

From the wilting waves and the imperfect rhyme

The tiller of the soil and the keeper of sheep

All the days of their lives in sorrow will eat

Scoured by the wind and the sea and the brine

As the wine dark waves wilt into the squall line

You're just playing Jerusalem against Athens

Reason and the passions

Thought into action

Strangers play Jerusalem against Athens

Just to see what happens

Just to feed the fashion for it

While you twist your lock see it grows Grey

Pluck the strand and throw it away

Limbs exposed by lascivious winds shine

And the waves wilt into the shoreline

While you're just playing Jerusalem against Athens

Reason and the passions

Thought into action

Strangers play Jerusalem against Athens

Just to see what happens

Just to feed the fashion for it

Let the eyes hold what the lids can contain

From the overflow of the world

Let the cider press hold the skin and the stain

And the cider run clear and cold