If you open up the cage you will hurt yourself
The king said it's forbidden or you will get hell
But the prisoner lets you know where to find the key
Under her satin pillow, yes, there it has to be
Modesty is fine, but it doesn't take you very far
When you make your decision don't be afraid of the dark
Longing for the golden ball that it will be yours for keeps
Be sure about it as you sow, so shall you reap

Let's take a ride on Iron John's shoulders
He has more gold than anybody in this world
Let's take a ride, hey ho, on Iron John
He has more gold than anybody in this world

Jump on the train to nowhere from now on you are free
After rising from the ashes you'll become a mystery
Too many of those strange injections, too many gazes at the sun
The lady smiled "Well, that's the business running after number one
For all their childish daydreams you caught their falling stars
Just for the cheapest contracts you signed your autographs
And if you started much too early, therefore you've stopped too late
Make sure that no-one stops you now
Here comes the ultimate"

Let's take a ride...
He will be with you, he will be there
If you call out the magic words
Let's take a ride...

Lyrics: Marian Gold, Bernhard Lloyd, Ricky Echolette
Music: Marian Gold, Bernhard Lloyd, Ricky Echolette, Rudy Nielsen

Notes:

A version of the story can be found in Harry Harrison's novel The Stainless Steel Rat Sings the Blues (1994). See the Official Harry Harrison Website for more details of this author's work.