Welcome my son, welcome to the machine.
Where have you been?
It's alright we know where you've been.
You've been in the pipeline, filling in time,
provided with toys and 'Scouting for Boys'.
You brought a guitar to punish your ma,
and you didn't like school, and you
know you're nobody's fool,
so welcome to the machine.

Welcome my son, welcome to the machine.
What did you dream?
It's alright we told you what to dream.
You dreamed of a big star,
he played a mean guitar,
He always ate in the Steak Bar.
He loved to drive in his Jaguar.
So welcome to the Machine.

Come in here, dear boy, have a cigar.
You're gonna go far, fly high,
you're never gonna die,
You're gonna make it if you try;
they're gonna love you.
Well I've always had a deep respect,
and I mean that most sincerely.
The band is just fantastic,
that is really what I think.
Oh by the way, which one's Pink?
And did we tell you the name of the game, boy,
we call it  Riding the Gravy Train.

We're just knocked out.
We heard about the sell out.
You gotta get an album out.
You owe it to the people.
We're so happy we can hardly count.
Everybody else is just green,
have you seen the chart?
It's a helluva start,
It could be made into a monster
if we all pull together as a team.
And did we tell you the name of the game, boy,
we call it Riding the Gravy Train.
 

So, so you think you can tell
heaven from Hell,
Blue skys from pain.
Can you tell a green field
from a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

And did they get you to trade
your heros for ghosts?
hot ashes for trees?
hot air for a cool breeze?
cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange
a walk on part in the war
for a lead role in a cage?

How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls
swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
running over the same old ground.
What have we found?
the same old fears.
Wish you were here.