When I’m old and grey, will I have anything left to say;
words which to sway, your body next to me, when I’m old and grey.
When my health fades away, will I have strong fingers left to play
gentle melodies from a brighter yesterday, when I’m old and grey.
When I am old, I’ll still have fun. I’ll giggle like a child, laugh like I’m young.
When I am old and I can’t run, I’ll sit on my porch with a torch
burning bright for my younger days, when I’m old and grey.
When I reach my final years, will I just ramble on about stories
nobody even wants to hear, boring people to tears,
while my life falls upon deaf ears; when I reach my final years.
When I step across the mirror, will I exist or will time expire,
shine in the light or slip in the fire, treated as a saint or exposed as a liar.
Will my family be there? When I step across the mirror.
People fear what they don’t know and growing old means you’ve got closer to go
to the great unknown, the great beyond. Reality might cease but I’ll be glad
for peace and for pain to just float away;
when I’m old and grey, when I’m old and grey.
When I am old, I’ll still have fun. I’ll giggle like a child, I’ll laugh like I’m young.
When I am old and I can’t run, I’ll sit on my porch with a torch
burning bright for my younger days, when I’m old and grey, when I’m old and grey.
When you find a man of your taste, you place him in a race
as I chase the pack way off pace. I’m not real strong or even right for your kind,
but please wait for me honey I’m trailing behind.
Yes, please wait for me, I’m trailing behind.
I don’t have any roses rung round my neck or
flashing lights that are capturing respect.
I’m not stretching out towards no finish lines, but please wait for me honey,
I’m trailing behind. Please wait for me I’m trailing behind.
CHORUS:
I’m trailing behind, but you never seem to mind.
You’re always fine, just fine with wasting other people’s time.
When I come home I see you running away. I throw an offer on the table,
I beg of you to stay. I say, “Don’t keep driving,
you’re too drunk to even read the signs.” Please wait for me, honey,
I’m trailing behind. Please wait for me, I’m trailing behind.
Your front row seats are a gift; they are never earned.
To the poor boys in the back, I just know you never turn.
You say, “People less than privileged, I never really pay no mind.”
But please wait for me honey, I’m trailing behind.
Please wait for me, I’m trailing behind.
CHORUS
I wake up in the morning, trying to remember my dreams,
thinking to myself that they can’t be as strange as they seem and
as I look up at the time, I hope showing up late to work ain’t no crime.
I rake me up some leaves, I rake them in a pile.
A little girl running bye dives right in and begins to smile.
Oh, I miss my youth, back when I wasn’t so afraid to speak the truth.
CHORUS:
I said, “All my years of living, have gone bye mighty fast.”
She said, “I can’t believe that it’s almost Thanksgiving and
that New Year will be here at last.”
On the street I find some money, but I spend it on silly things:
video games, chewing gum and spi-i-i-der rings.
Now I’m still in debt, but I walk down the road of no regret.
I go out late at night, I drink too much and I spin,
uptown, downtown, and then back uptown again.
Then I go home. Boy, I sure do love to roam.
CHORUS
I like Sally, but Sally she likes Drew.
She likes Tim, Tom, and Terry too (just to name a few).
But, she don’t like me. Oh, well, C’est La Vie!
Lovers lagged and friends did fade, chewed by life they changed;
yesterday’s children today torn away from their games.
Drinks were raised, speeches told. Connections were attempted.
Never fully together, though, for someone was always neglected.
CHORUS:
Heaven we wanted, that’s for sure; peace on Earth and a whole lot more.
Funny way to get there some sure did find, seeking salvation from the blind.
People talked, but people balked as few took hold of fate.
Excuses married easily with arriving too late.
All were similar, all were same but sought difference at any cost.
No one wanted their story to be laughed at or lost.
CHORUS
From baby tears to the golden years with all battles and benders between,
where are we going to; lands familiar or lands unseen?
Fables are fables and truth is truth,
but some people favor fables without any proof.
But, you know me, I’m just trying to remain sane.
You can find me driving down the middle lane.
Kindness is a virtue; it’s all you’ll ever need.
Kindness will never hurt truth or make another man bleed.
But, you know me, I’m just trying to remain sane.
You can find me driving down the middle lane.
CHORUS:
The middle lane, that’s where you’ll be free to observe with objectivity.
People on the left think they’re best and people on the right think they’re right,
but drawing lines in the sand is just going to help everybody fight.
But, you know me, I’m just trying to remain sane.
You can find me driving down the middle lane.
People on the left are to fast and people on the right are too slow.
It’s easy to make a stand when both sides got plenty of dough.
Yes, you know me, I’m just trying to remain sane.
You can find me driving down the middle lane.
CHORUS
The middle lane, that’s where I’ll be stuck between change and conventionality.
Are you sure that the enemy exists?
Would a prophet really want you to fight?
What if the pieces don’t fit?
Are you willing to gamble with your life?
Well, you know me, I’m just trying to remain sane.
You can find me driving down the middle lane.
CHORUS
The middle lane, that’s where you’ll see both sides of manifest destiny.
Life was a hard battle, so many hurdles to clear,
mistakes were made, but that wasn’t something to fear,now was it? No, it was not.
You got back on the saddle, wiped away those tears,
let yesterday fade, kicked it up a couple of gears, and gave it, another shot.
Somebody used to live here, but they’re gone.
A soothsayer who taught me right from wrong,
taught me honest songs but now she’s gone.
I picked up a toy, that lay on the ground,
a red fire engine that used to make a sound, a siren, but now all’s quiet.
I looked at that picture of you mobbed by the crowd, a true living legend,
standing so proud, next to your airplane, and girl you sure could fly it.
Strange powers of mystery helped me go on.
Family members from history they carried me along,
to see another dawn, but now they’re gone.
CHORUS
It is only to yourself that you have something to prove.
So, when you let your dreams die, you’ll die too.
Take out the trash and take in your bike. It’s quarter past and there ain’t much light.
Buckle up fast, buckle up tight. Let’s go shoot for the stars tonight.
CHORUS
Every year of living that I have looked up the books,
there’s so many people killing each other for systems run by crooks.
There will always be new reasons for dropping new bombs.
Stop putting me on, stop putting us on.
I know so many people that will judge others on sight.
From high upon their steeple, they preach to everyone what is right.
There’s only one path to paradise and all others are wrong.
Stop putting me on, stop putting us on.
CHORUS:
Stop putting me on, you ain’t fooling no one.
You’re just taking our daughters and you’re taking our sons.
Stop putting me on, you ain’t fooling no one.
How can you shake somebody’s hand when you’re holding two guns?
My goal in life isn’t to buy up all the toys,
for millions to bow down before me, or to deprive people their joys.
Turn a blind eye to the rich and their wealth will trickle down.
Stop putting me on, stop putting us on.
CHORUS
There’s so much in life, that doesn’t really matter;
pointless fears that run around our brains and shred our souls into tatters.
The current of fear used to knock me over,
but then I realized everyone is unsure of their futures.
CHORUS:
We don’t need to be in love, I don’t need that at all.
Just please whenever you get lonely, give me a call.
I’ve been single and I’ve been tied, but we won’t need a title to feel satisfied.
CHORUS
Yesterday is gone, so don’t let it speak too loud.
Tomorrow may never arrive, the time is now.
CHORUS
I read my watch, it’s half past two. The 909 already past on through.
I’ve got my bags packed, even got my boarding pass too.
I’m just waiting for that fireball to roll into view.
I read my watch, now half past three. I’m staring around at strangers,
they’re staring right back at me.
There ain’t no train as far as my eyes can see,
but I can feel that party moving and it’s moving full speed.
CHORUS:
Hide your daughters and hide your wife. Tonight this town is coming to life.
You better board up your windows when you hear that whistle sound.
There’s a bullet train people tearing through your town,
you better brace yourself when it comes around.
I read my watch, it’s half past four. Waiting on this platform is becoming a chore.
I would take a little nap right here on the floor
if I knew that opportunity wouldn’t pass me bye the moment I started to snore.
I put my ear to the ground, put my ear to the track,
to feel for the freight that will bring me what I lack;
new adventure in the future and old problems in the past.
In the distance a volcano-like cloud cuts the skyline above a smokestack.
CHORUS
Without love I think I'm falling, without you my heart is stalling.
Life just ain't worth living without you.
I watch you slip right through my hands, washing away just all my plans.
Now I don't know what the hell to do.
CHORUS:
Love can leave you without warning, love can leave and make life boring.
Those that haven't been burned they are few.
Love can leave you in the morning, love can leave you while you're snoring.
Wake up out of bed or next will be you.
I don't want to live the same old story. I don't want to trade passion for glory.
Love comes first for me, how about you?
I watch you waltz into the night, stars collide as you pass bye.
Rivers rise and mountains they form too.
CHORUS
You talk to me, but the words they fail. Around my ears they seem to sail.
The twisting of your tongue speaks so rude.
I want to hold you and never let go, but your wrapped up with Mr. so and so.
Life, I'm so sick of you-You're so crude!
CHORUS
I'm sick of murder, I'm so sick of money.
I tell people we don’t need it and they say, "Adam, that’s so funny!"
But we got enough food and we got enough land.
But some would rather force their hand just to get a little bit more.
They'll step over your bleeding body while you're lying hungry on the floor.
There's a frozen pond on which humanity stands.
Some try to keep it solid, others got a flamethrower in their hands.
And you know it don't take much to melt the whole pond.
So how should we respond, quick and direct.
If you disrespect everybody's safety, you’re going to find a noose wrapped around your neck.
CHORUS:
We're all animals but we act like gods.
We live east of Eden, remember, banished to the land of Nod.
But, I won't waste your time preaching because I know we're a lost cause.
You know our flaws, don't act so surprised.
This ain't no time for alibis, this ain't no time for lies.
We got fangs and we eat flesh.
We're self destructing every second and still think we are blessed.
We look upon the poor and we act so disgusted.
Then ask, "Why aren't we trusted, are we really that insane?"
No, we're just not trusted because we never accept any blame.
Have we fallen from grace, or we're we ever there?
Am I being to negative, well I really don't care.
Because this is just a warning shot, I'm firing across the bow.
How can we change things, the machine is just so strong.
Well you can't change it in front of your TV set or by writing some song.
CHORUS
She’s forgotten her friends, she’s forgotten her mom.
She’s spent time in the pen, she ain’t going to the prom.
Though her parents try, they don’t know why.
They don’t know why, she goes into the woods after school to get high.
There’s a place she goes where the normals don’t know.
She’s ain’t a punk or a pro, she’s a rebel because she says so.
Though her parents try, they don’t know why.
They don’t know why, she goes into the woods after school to get high.
She got a fire in her soul. She don’t value control.
When the noose takes its toll, she just says, “I like to dig myself into holes.”
Though her parents try, they don’t know why.
They don’t know why, she goes into the woods after school to get high.
Her friends they try to ease her down. They say it really ain’t that cool to drown.
They say everybody knows around town. They make fun of her
when she ain’t around.
Though her parents try, they don’t know why.
They don’t know why, she goes into the woods after school to get high.
Her parents they tremble and they shake. They want to call
the president of the United States.
They think jail might keep her straight. Every piece of advice
they’ve given her has been a mistake.
Though her parents try, they don’t know why.
They don’t know why, she goes into the woods after school to get high.
The devil knocks upon her door. The devil drags her down to the floor.
He pulls a needle out from her drawer. He says, “Babe, I guess we’ve met before.”
He don’t have to try. He knows why she goes out into the woods
after school to get high.
It’s you I’ve been missing. I’ve been deaf to your cries.
But I’ve been dreaming of you and me together and it’s paradise.
I know we’re great friends, but is it wrong to want love.
I don’t know, but I’ve been searching for answers in the stars above.
CHORUS:
I’m not just asking please, I’m begging down here on my knees.
Let me carry you away like the ocean breeze.
It’s a vicious circle that I spin around.
For you I would clear any hurdle, stretch leaps and bounds.
Maybe time will be the answer, maybe time will help us grow.
But if time moves any faster we’ll have no place left to go.
CHORUS
The hawk will hunt and the mouse will run.
But I’m not asking you to do anything unnatural, I’m not holding no gun.
I’m man enough to tell you that I love you and you know I’ll always care.
You can’t find this kind of love just anywhere.
CHORUS
She’s standing at the corner, she’s trying to pass the time.
She’s looking for a lover, any lover do just fine.
I’m standing at the corner, trying to pass the time.
Looking for a lady, any lady but mine.
And as our eyes meet, standing grounded upon the street.
Lead a little lighter than my feet.
I hear her say the planets are aligned with the moon, but…
CHORUS:
She’s in love too soon,(x3) I need some breathing room.
She ain’t no tea-tottler, she definitely ain’t no saint.
She don’t want no soul controller and I don’t want to wait.
For any forward move, for any solid line,
Or for speech as smooth as a gentleman refined.
I hear the street musician play.
His voice is tired, but I like it that way.
And as his melody floats down the alley my way,
I hear her whisper, “I love you”, but…
CHORUS
I have nightmares of her bed,
it enveloped all of what her mother ever said.
Adorned with all her fantasies fed,
I can’t get all her teddy bears out of my head.
I was warned, I should have fled.
I was warned, but I went instead.
Boy was my face so red.
She loved the fact I was so easily led.
There’s a pink pastel place, that’s drowning itself on lace.
And forever attached is her face.
But I must look forward. I can’t lay around her ruins.
CHORUS
She’s been getting ready to live by the pool,
Staying forever healthy, but I wasn’t raised no fool.
She love you if you ain’t friendly. She love you if you ain’t cool.
But if you’re not wealthy she’s on to the next barstool…
CHORUS
Walk up to heaven right behind the line.
Nobody told me it was soon my time.
I was feeling pretty good, I never saw no sign.
I was just trying to do a little good that’s all that’s on my mind.
Let fresh water run down my clothes.
Wash me clean from my head to my toes.
As I wade through the river I feel how it flows.
How do you get to heaven, hell nobody knows.
CHORUS:
What is mightier, song or the sword, oh Lord!
What is mightier, song or the sword, song or the sword.
Can our bodies really ever be sold?
Vultures and lawyers count the death toll.
Hard, hard life make me walk so slow.
I’m becoming my parents age like they told me so.
Can our stories really ever be told?
So much pain and desire to unfold.
Squirming and struggling not to fit any mold.
Just trying to get a little freedom before we get old.
CHORUS
If you find a faith and flaunt it that will lead you nowhere.
You can’t kill hate by speaking some prayers.
Some have a pain drenched in nightmares.
They have a pain so unfair they have to look up to find despair.
CHORUS
Well my hands are little messy and my shoes I don’t care to shine.
I force my hands to hustle and I force my hands for crime.
But I’m trying, I’m trying to go straight.
I just hope forgiveness don’t arrive to late.
I work for a grocer, from whom I used to steal.
Now hard work brings me closer to striking up that devil’s deal.
But I’m trying, I’m trying to go straight.
I just hope forgiveness don’t arrive to late.
My spark’s a little softer, but I’m still able to burn.
My old life was a disaster but to it I still might return.
But I’m trying, I’m trying to go straight.
I just hope forgiveness don’t arrive to late.
You can teach an old dog new tricks, you can teach a pit-bull to heal.
But if you lash him with too many licks, you’re liable to get yourself killed.
But I’m trying, I’m trying to go straight.
I just hope forgiveness don’t arrive to late.
I walk past the bank every day I go to work,
I dream of myself driving a tank over it-going berserk.
But I’m trying, I’m trying to go straight.
I just hope forgiveness don’t arrive to late.
Now I walk amongst the good, walk the way I’m supposed to walk.
I talk the way I should I’m about as boring now as cornstalks.
But I’m trying, I’m trying to go straight.
I just hope forgiveness don’t arrive to late.
I see little girls out on the street, they are sweet and they are young.
I used to call them jailbait now I call them lots of fun.
But I’m trying, I’m trying to go straight.
I just hope forgiveness don’t arrive to late.
Well my hands are little messy and my shoes I don’t care to shine.
I force my hands to hustle and I force my hands for crime.
But I’m trying, I’m trying to go straight.
I just hope forgiveness don’t arrive to late.
I work for a grocer, from whom I used to steal.
Now hard work brings me closer to striking up that devil’s deal.
But I’m trying, I’m trying to go straight.
I just hope forgiveness don’t arrive to late.
My spark’s a little softer, but I’m still able to burn.
My old life was a disaster but to it I still might return.
But I’m trying, I’m trying to go straight.
I just hope forgiveness don’t arrive to late.
You can teach an old dog new tricks, you can teach a pit-bull to heal.
But if you lash him with too many licks, you’re liable to get yourself killed.
But I’m trying, I’m trying to go straight.
I just hope forgiveness don’t arrive to late.
I walk past the bank every day I go to work,
I dream of myself driving a tank over it-going berserk.
But I’m trying, I’m trying to go straight.
I just hope forgiveness don’t arrive to late.
Now I walk amongst the good, walk the way I’m supposed to walk.
I talk the way I should I’m about as boring now as cornstalks.
But I’m trying, I’m trying to go straight.
I just hope forgiveness don’t arrive to late.
I see little girls out on the street, they are sweet and they are young.
I used to call them jailbait now I call them lots of fun.
But I’m trying, I’m trying to go straight.
I just hope forgiveness don’t arrive to late.
Where the blood flows is where the ink goes.
Where men line in rows is where the glory grows.
Where the truth begins is where the books end.
Where there are hands to lend is where you’ll find friends.
Where you hear the word integrity is where you’ll never be free.
Where you look for me is where you will be.
When our lives are a mess we should stop fearing death.
When all love has left is when music is best.
When the whip is raised then hell be praised.
When we count the days time twists like a maze.
When we fall into line it’s checkout time.
When the greedy rob us blind we better put up a stop sign.
CHORUS:
You don’t need to be a saint to know what is true.
I might no care about myself, but I will always care about you.
There’s a line that I must cross to the blind and satisfied’s dismay.
If I lose, it really ain’t no lose, because to try is to win anyway.
What we do in life should not help us die.
What we see as a lie should not be passed into time.
What we lose in defeat should be crushed rather than creep.
What we dream of in sleep away from words we should keep.
What we see in another’s heart should be encouraged from the start.
What we see as a lark is creation is art.
Why is the sky blue not a question for me or you?
Why is the world not new only asked by a few?
Why is fighting so plenty? Why are tears so many?
Why do the greedy reach for money like it’s candy?
Why are so many fists clenching? Why are so many jobs given to henchman?
Why are the good taught prevention? Why don’t the evil just seek redemption?
CHORUS
How are so many jails filling? Here’s another jail built,
mister, and here’s another billion.
How are the young people feeling when so many of their
elders are acting like villains?
How is the temperature rising when the same old sun
sets over the horizon?
How are priest’s still baptizing though they run their
churches like it’s guilt advertising?
How are the worker’s all day working only at the
end of the day to be poverty flirting?
How is the world still turning though so much around is
either smoldering or burning?
CHORUS
I don’t have any money in some foreign bank.
I don’t have any status, I don’t have some high rank.
I don’t have oil running out of some big old tank.
I really don’t have much past where I stand, but
If I had a wife and I had a kid I’d be a rich, rich man.
I don’t have any silver, I don’t have any gold.
I don’t have any expensive property sold.
I don’t even have any loose change to roll.
I don’t much in any of these hands, but
If I had a wife and I had a kid I’d be a rich, rich man.
I don’t have some fancy car for which to show off.
No power lunches that I decide to blow off.
No investment deals for which to go for it or just hold off.
I don’t have big limos or a store bought tan, but
If I had a wife and I had a kid I’d be a rich, rich man.
I don’t have some big old house just to call my own.
No butler to tend it while I am gone.
No neighbors outside admiring my nice lawn.
I don’t have a private beach with private sand, but
If I had a wife and I had a kid I’d be a rich, rich man.
I don’t have friends anymore in high office towers.
No rich daddy to help me with his powers.
No big muscles to make my enemies feel sour.
I don’t a fleece spun from golden strand, but
If I had a wife and I had a kid I’d be a rich, rich man.