I threw it all into the wind And abandoned that island I felt my suspended ambition Along its rough edges Because I knew I couldn't let it go And if I breathe the breath of life Into the mouth of that contempt Will I still row the awful rowing Awful rowing toward God I felt the air on my face Cold down the back of my neck Which never before felt natural I never cared what things Were really like And if I breathe the breath of life Into the mouth of that contempt Will I still row the awful rowing Awful rowing toward God