[Verse 1] The nearest star will shift against the deeper field If you move enough to make the heavens yield Half an orbit's distance and the sky admits That everything looks different when the viewer moves a bit [Chorus] Parallax — the world is changing angle as I go Parallax — the fixed things aren't as fixed as they let on The problems that were mountains from the sofa this morning Are foothills from kilometre five — and shrinking — and gone [Verse 2] You cannot think your way to a new coordinate The mind computes the distance but the legs must cover it Every stride's a baseline for a new astronomy The far things hold their secrets till you move — then they agree [Chorus] Parallax — the world is changing angle as I go Parallax — the fixed things aren't as fixed as they let on [Verse 3] This is how they measured out the distance to the stars — Not by standing still and squinting, but by moving very far So take the reading, plant the stride, and let the angles shift The size of what you're facing is a function of the drift [Bridge - building] Move — and the sky recalculates Move — and the weight redistributes Move — and the question that was closed Opens like an orbit
