Reply #1: I heard the old man tell his tale

[Squeech]

Tinker alone within a storm
And losing hope he clears the leaves beneath a tree
Seven stones lay on the ground
Within the seventh house a friend was found
And the changes of no consequence will pick up the reins from nowhere

Sailors in peril on the sea
Amongst the waves the rocks loom nearer, not yet seen
They see a gull flying by
The captain turns the boat and he asks not why
And the changes of no consequence will pick up the reins from nowhere
Nowhere...

Despair that tires the world brings the old man laughter
The laughter of the world only grieves him
Believe him
The old man's guide is chance

Farmer who knows not when to sow
Consults the old man clutching money in his hand
With a shrug the old man smiled
Took the money, left the farmer wild
And the changes of no consequence will pick up the reins from nowhere
Nowhere...

Despair that tires the world brings the old man laughter
The laughter of the world only grieves him
Believe him
The old man's guide is chance

Actually, are you sure Gabriel wrote "The Knife?" I know there are Genesis aficionados who know who did what, but I'm not one of them, and I'd love to be pointed to some authoritative web pages on this topic.