HOW THE MIGHTY FALL

The British group, The Alarm, sang about someone of great influence who had brought himself down. I remember this song because I went through a period of personal crisis after a time of career triumph. In my depression, I heard these lyrics being about me:

Once your words were the first and last on the subject

Now they hang like a noose around your neck

Once you held the light

That could be seen from near and far

Now you fall and stumble in the dark

How the mighty fall

I’ve seen it all before

From the highest heights

To the lowest of lows

How the mighty fall

Once you held the secrets of the world within your hands

Now you’re just another grain of sand

Once you were the first

Revered to the last

Now they talk about your fall from grace

How the mighty fall

I’ve seen it all before

From the highest heights

To the lowest of lows

How the mighty fall!