Band called Gentlemen

Thanks for the info. I would love to hear them again. I did have them taped on cassette off 'The Saturday Rock Show' with Alan 'Fluff' Freeman but god knows where that's gone now.
Used to listen every Saturday, had the cassette recorder and mike set up next to the radio and if something sounded good - hit "Record" and glare at anyone who dared make a noise!

Yes.
They were based in and around Cambridge for a time and had earlier been known as "Hamilton Grey". Their lead singer, Howard Kingston was in the running to become to new front man for Genesis.
The lyric you quote is from a three track demo they did (possibly for EMI) and it's from a song called "Waiting To Die".
Guitar player, Rick Fenn, joined 10CC and later Nick Mason of Floyd fame. Other bands I believe morphed into what eventually became "Katrina & The Waves".
I used to have their material (including a tape of them rehearsing) but alas, it's all gone, however I have a good friend who still might have their stuff.
I'll ask him because I would like it again!
Hope this helps.

Does anyone know anything about a prog band called Gentlemen
I think they came from Manchester and sent in a tape to Alan Freeman's Saturday Rock Show. He played it a few times, somewhere I have a cassette tape of them (but nothing to play it on.) Back in those days, you set up a cassette player and mike next to the radio and hit 'RECORD' if it sounded like it started good.

One part of lyrics still sticks in my mind after all these years: -

"It's ash to ash, and dust to dust, and the human lust for life is tempered by our need to die
Any info appreciated