Words & music by Paul Simon

You got to learn how to fall
Before you learn to fly

And mama, mama it ain't no lie
Before you learn to fly
Learn how to fall

You got to drift in the breeze
Before you set your sails
It's an occupation where the wind prevails
Before you set your sails
Drift in the breeze

Oh and it's the same old story
Ever since the world began
Everybody got the runs for glory
Nobody stop and scrutinize the plan
Nobody stop and scrutinize the plan

You got to learn how to fall
Before you learn to fly
The tank towns they tell no lie

Before you learn to fly
Learn how to fall