[instrumental]
				

i remember a time
my frail, virgin mind
watched the crimson sunrise
imagined what it might find
life was filled with wonder
i felt the warm wind blow
i must explore the boundaries
transcend the depth of winter's snow
innocence caressing me
i never felt so young before
there was so much life in me
still i longed to search for more
but those days are gone now
changed like a leaf on a tree
blown away forever
into the cool autumn breeze
the snow has now fallen
and my sun's not so bright
i struggle to hold on
with the last of my might
in my den of inequity
viciousness and subtlety
struggle to ease the pain
struggle to find the sane
ignorance surrounding me
i've never been so filled with fear
all my life's been drained from me
the end is drawing near....
				

temptation -
why won't leave me alone ?
lurking every corner, everywhere i go
self control -
don't turn your back on me now
when i need you most
constant pressure tests my will
my will or my wont
my self control escapes from me still...
hypocrite -
how could you be so cruel
and expect my faith in return ?
resistance -
is not as hard as it seems
when you close the door
i spent so long trusting in you
i trust you forgot
just when i thought i believe in you...
it's time for me to deal
becoming all too real
living in fear -
why did you lie and pretend ?
this has come to an end
i'll never trust you again
it's time to make your amends
look in the mirror my friend
let's stare the problem right in the eye
it's plague me from coast to coast
racing the clock to please everyone
all but the ones who matters the most
reflections of reality
are slowly coming into view
how in the hell could you possibly forgive me ?
after all the hell i put you through
it's time for me to deal
becomin all too real
living in fear -
why'd i betray my friend ?
lying until the end
living life so pretend
it's time to make my amends
i'll never hurt you again
				

daybreak
at the bottom of lake
it's a hundred degree's i can't breeth
and i won't get out
'til i figure it out
thought i'm weak like i can't believe
so you tell me "trust me" i can't trust you
just let me show you
but i gotta work it out in a shadow of doubt
'cause i don't know if i know you
doing fine but i don't waste my time
tell me what it is you want to say
you sin, you win, just let me in - hurry
i've been out in the rain all day
so you tell me "trust me" i can't trust you
as far as i can throw you
and i'm trying to get out of a shadow of doubt
'cause i don't know if i know you
don't tell me you wanted me
don't tell me you thought of me
i won't, i sware i won't
(did)
i'll try, i sware i'll try
(lie)
mother mary quite contrary
kiss the boys and makes then wary
things are getting just a little bit scary
it's awonder i can still breathe
never been much of a doubting thomas
but nothing breaks like a broken promise
you tell me 'bout your two more coming
but once is just enough for me
i had gotten used to being a soul destroyed
she comes in apparently to fill the void
all dogs need a leash and at least i forgot it
and she would never hurt me though she's never said it
but i'm gonna ask her today
i din't wanna scare her away
your town, i'm all alone
and i just can't stare at the phone
i wanna talk about lifelong mistakes
and you can tell your stepfather i said so
				

a thorn in my side, a chip on my shoulder
a lump in my throat, the size of a boulder
the chill up my spine, can't get any colder
and you wonder why i can't smile

a knot in my gut, an ape on my back
in the heat of the moment
i'm knocked off the track
you drop the ball, i pick up the slack
and you ask me why my hair's gray

twisting, turning
losing all sense of yearning
living and learning
the pressure keeps on burning my soul
burning my soul
burning my soul

i say it's green and then you tell me it's red

keep your thoughts and ideas
locked inside of your head
we've got someone
who can think for you instead
and he sounds just like the last one

twisting, turning
losing all sense of yearning
living and learning
the pressure keeps on burning my soul
burning my soul
burning my soul
burning my soul
burning my soul

responsible thinkers
throw caution to the wind
but i find myself
speaking from within
i can't live my life
walking on eggshells
to stay on your good side

using your words
controlling my life
can't you see it's my words
that gives you your life
so i hurt your feelings
well i'm really sorry
but i don't give a shit, no...

twisting, turning
losing all sense of yearning
living and learning

the pressure keeps on burning my soul
burning my soul
burning my soul
burning my soul
burning my soul
burning my soul
burning my soul, yeah
				

an angel's kiss now fallen
descending scarlet cuts the sky
faded names left on the wall
honor the fighting leave life to die
remembered is the sacrifice but
no praisal of blood still flowing
who were the leaders?
what controlled the killing hand
that caused this mourning?
   crossing over...
					

lowered deep into the sea
being awaits to cleanse his soul
senses weakening time is still
motionless by stiffening cold

the wheels race back and
scorch his mind
traveling all to find the land
revelation warms a touch
and now, he will begin to
understand
					

extended a view to yesterday
manifestation for none the same
walking amidst a frightening still
no sound, no smoke, no scorching
flames
   he is risen...

sipping his poison the raven sings
yet another to add more bodies fallen
king from below
this one controls
the killing hand that caused this mourning.
   is it all over?
   is it all over?
					

evil genius this secret plan
mercy dealt with the losing hand
will he ever fall?
can he end it all?
our savior must make his stand.

only a prophet of years to come
wanting mortality i'm all alone
he heard my voice
it was my choice
i've stopped the killing hand.
					

when i go back again
will it be the same?
i've stopped the cries
but now they know my name

the sea is calling me
my spirit must return
as i get closer,
was it really worth
what i have learned?

i'm in the valley
and the saddened chimes i hear
race toward the wall to find
one more name appears.

no one is left now
my one and only land
i laugh at what i've done
i am the killing hand.
					

open your eyes
and turn off your mind
step right up folks
"step right up folks" [sample from ???]
and you will find
a growing trend
an epidemic
spread with zen
and hypodermics, yeah
yeah

just close your mind
you can find all you need with your eyes

the big machines take care of you
until you kill yourself
and then the sales go through the roof
calculated, formulated
feed my head with simple thoughts
and let me breathe instead of being taught
all bottled up and tearing at the seams
i'm bored
just let me breathe

a daily dose of emptyv
will flush your mind right down the drain
shannon hoon and kurt cobain,
make yourself a household name, yeah-yeah
yeah

just close your mind
you can find all you need with your eyes

the big machines take care of you
until you kill yourself
and then the sales go through the roof
calculated, formulated
feed my head with simple thoughts
and let me breathe instead of being taught
all bottled up and tearing at the seams
i'm bored
just let me breathe

strike up your best angst ridden posture, whoa
manufactured anger
let's not forget my legacy
all my heroes have failed me
now they're dead and buried, yeah

just close your mind
you can find all you need with your eyes

the big machines will take care of you
until the fashion fades
and the checks go through
my bankroll's red
and my face is blue
and still they'll turn their backs on me for someone new

feed my head
with some real thoughts
and let me think instead
of being taught
i'll say things
you won't believe
just stand back 
just let me breathe...
				

silence disguised
i watch you
show me the hurt
that haunts you
would you despise the thrill
if all you hide were mine ?
i can't hold on any longer
these feelings keep growing stronger
echoes that deafen the mind
will bury my voice in their wake
caught in a web
removed from the world
hanging onby a thread
spinning the lies
divised in my head
i've seen the path
the one you take
shows the truth
for you to make
this turn of phrase
we might not see
is the thirst of desire
found so easily
try to push me 'round
the world some more
and make me live in fear
i bare all that i am
made of now
attractive i don't care
'cause even when i danced with life
no one was there to share
does this voice the wounds of your soul ?
caught in a web
removed from the world
hanging on by a thread
spinning the lies
devised in my head
tried to live the life
youlive and saw
it doesn't work for me
i bare all that i am
made of now
attractive, i can't be
inside the dance of life is one
i'll never hold to me
you can't heal the wounds of my soul
caught in a web
refused by the world
hanging on by a thread
spinning a cage
denied and misread
				

there, there it is
i swear he's gonna murder that poor kid
wait, i hear it again
don't turn on the lights until we
hear the way it ends

under peruvian skies
vanessa regretfully waits
the story unfolds in her eyes
where midnight hysteria's
no big surprise
battered and bruised
always confusing
the love that she's losing for hate
poor vanessa
poor, poor vanessa

hey, i hope you know
i'm taking all of this with me when i go
shame, you're not to blame
i'm the monster you created
in your daddy's name

under peruvian skies
vanessa regretfully waits
the story unfolds in her eyes
where midnight hysteria's
no big surprise
battered and bruised
always confusing
the love that she's losing for hate
poor vanessa
poor vanessa

terror by night
liar by day
telling her secrets
won't take them away

under peruvian skies
vanessa regretfully waits
the story unfolds in her eyes
where midnight hysteria's
no big surprise
battered and bruised
always confusing
the love that she's losing for hate
				

lost in the shy
clouds roll by and i roll with them
arrows fly
seas increase and then fall again

this world is spinning around me
this world is spinning without me
every day sends future to past
every breath leaves me one less to my last

watch the sparrow falling
gives new meaning to it all
if not today nor yet tomorrow then some other day

i'll take seven lives for on
and then my only father's son
as sure as i did ever love him
i am not afraid

this world is spinning around me
the whole world keeps spinning around me
all life is future to past
every breath leaves me one less to my last

pull me under pull me under
pull me under i'm not afraid
all that i feel is honor and spite
all i can do is set it right

dust fills my eyes
clouds roll by and i roll with them
centuries cry
orders fly and i fall again

this world is spinning inside me
the whole world is spinning inside of me
every day sends future to past
every step brings me closer to my last

pull me under pull me under
pull me under i'm not afraid
living my life too much in the sun
only until your will is done
				

sometimes, for a moment of bliss
and the passion, we're craving
there's a message we miss
sometimes when, the spirits left alone
we must believe in something
to find if we've grown

tragic reflex, shattered calm
static progress, senses gone
numb awareness, final psalm

swept away with the tide
  (swept away with the tide)
through the holes in my hands
  (through the holes in my hands)
crown of thorns at my side
  (crown of thorns at my side, yeah, yeah, yeah)
drawing lines in the sand

sometimes, if you're perfectly still
you can hear the virgin weeping
for the savior of your will
sometimes, your castles in the air
and the fantasies you're seeking
are the crosses you bear

sacred conflict, blessed prize
weeping crosses, stainless eyes
desperate addict, faith disguised 

swept away with the tide
  (swept away with the tide)
through the holes in my hands
  (through the holes in my hands, yeah)
crown of thorns at my side
  (crown of thorns at my side)
drawing lines in the sand

we fabricate our demons
invite them into our homes
have supper with the aliens
and fight the war alone
we conjure up our skeletons
enlist the den of thieves
frightened from our closets
then sewn upon our sleeves

in the stream of consciousness
there is a river crying
living comes much easier
once we admit
we're dying

sometimes, in the wreckage of our wake
there's a bitterness we harbor
and hate for hatred's sake
sometimes we dig an early grave
and crucify our instincts
for the hope we couldn't save

sometimes a view from sinless eyes
centers our perspective
and pacifies our cries
sometimes the anguish we survive
and the mysteries we nurture
are the fabrics of our lives

swept away with the tide
  (swept away with the tide, yeah)
through the holes in my hands
  (through the holes, holes in my hands)
crown of thorns at my side
  (crown of thorns in my side)
drawing lines in the sand
				

i was sitting on the edge of his bed
staring at the headlines on the paper
he said, 'look at poor gene kelly
i guess he won't be singing in the rain.'
you can take away my heroes
can you take away my pain

take away my pain
leave the cold outside
please don't let it rain
don't stumble on my pride
take away my pain
i'm not frightened anymore
just stay with me tonight
i'm tired of this fight
soon i'll be knocking at your door

she was standing by the edge of his bed
staring at the message on their faces
he said, 'what else can you do, babe?
i guess i won't be coming home again.'
they just took away all my promises
make them take away my pain

take away my pain
leave the cold outside
please don't let it rain
don't stumble on my pride
take away my pain
i'm not frightened anymore
just stay with me tonight
i'm tired of this fight
soon i'll be knocking at your door

his final scene
the actor bows
and all those years
are gone somehow
the crowd applauds
the curtain falls

i was standing by the edge of the water
i noticed my reflection in the waves
then i saw you looking back at me
and i knew that for a moment
you were calling out my name
you took away my hero
will you take away my pain

take away my pain
let the cold inside
it's time to let it rain
there's nothing left to hide
take away my pain
i'm not frightened anymore
i'm learning to survive
without you in my life
til you come knocking at my door...
				

[instrumental]
				

[instrumental]
				

there was no time for pain
no energy for anger
the sightlessness of hatred sleeps away
walking winter streets alone
he stops and takes a breath
with confidence and self-control

i look at the world and see no understanding
i'm waiting to find some sense of strength
i'm begging from the bottom of my heart to show me understanding

i need to live life
like some people never will
so find me kindness
find me beauty
find me truth
when temptation brings me to my knees
and i lay here drained of strength
show me kindness
show me beauty
show me truth

the way your heart sounds makes all the difference
it's what decides if you'll endure the pain that we all feel
the way your heart beat makes all the difference
in learning to live
here before me is my soul
i'm learning to live
i won't give up
till i've no more to give

listening to the city
whispering its violence
i set out watching from above
the 90s bring new questions
new solutions to be found
i fell in love to be let down

once again we dance in the crowd
at times a step away
from a common fear that's all spread out
it won't listen to what you say
once you're touched you stand alone
to face the bitter fight
once i reached for love
and now i reach for life

another chance to lift my life
free the sensation in my heart
to ride the wings of dreams into changing horizons
it brings inner peace within my mind,
as i'm lifted from where i've spilt my mind
i hear an innocent voice
i hear kindness, beauty and truth

the way your heart sounds makes all the diffrence
it's what decides if you'll endure the pain that we all feel
the way your heart beats makes all the difference
in learning to live
spread before you is your soul
so forever hold the dreams within our hearts
through nature inflexible grace
i'm learning to live
				

i'm much wiser now
a lifetime of memories
run through my head
they taught me how
for better or worse, alive or dead
i realize there's no turning back
life goes on the offbeaten track
i sit down with my son
set to see the crimson sunset
(gather ye rosebuds while ye may)
many years have come and gone
i've lived my life, but now must move on
(gather ye rosebuds while ye may)
he's my only one
now that my time has come
now that my life is done
we look into the sun
'seize the day and don't you cry,
now it's time to say good-bye
even though i'll be gone,
i will live on, live on.'
				

the smile of dawn
arrived early may
she carried a gift from her home
the night shed a tear
to tell her of fear
and of sorrow and pain
she'll never outgrow

death is the first dance, eternal

there's no more freedom
the both of you will be confined to this mind

i was told there's a miracle for each day that i try
i was told there's a new love that' born for each one that has died
i was told there'd be no one to call on when i feel alone and afraid
i was told if you dream of the next world
you'll find yourself swimming in a lake of fire

as a child, i thought i could live without pain withpout sorrow
as a man i've found it's all caught up with me
i'm asleep yet i'm so afraid

somewhere like a scene of a memory
there's a picture worth a thousand words
eluding stares from faces before me
it hides away and will never be heard of again

deceit in the second without end

the city's cold blood teaches us to survive
just keep my heart in your eyes and we'll stay alive

the third arrives...

before the leaves have fallen
before we lock the doors
there must be the third and last dance
this one will last forever
metropolis watches and thoughtfully smiles
she's taken you to your home

it can only take place
when the struggle between our children has ended
now the miracle and the sleeper know that the third is love

love is the dance of eternity