Following the path I laid
Through bottlenecks & barricades
Retraced my steps to where we started
It ain't easy, I'm always stumbling
I can't remember some of the faces, some of the places now
It's never hard to ruin a good thing
And even though I know what's best for me
Sometimes I just don't want it, I'm always stumbling
There's no easy way out of this but you can't cover all the exits
I'm afraid I might be lost again
Welcome these players to your stage
Progressive, we cleverly syncopate
These rhythms, in a key, in an overture
Directing our experience into yours.
Waiting here for a visionary
Imagine living the new possibilities
In a matter of time you're a
Winner/success at hand/it's all
In your future just take command.
Anyone can be a winner
We all want a winner
Everybody wants one -
James labrie - lead vocals
Trent gardner - harmonies
(gardner solo)
(bemesderfer solo)
Just call me mr. dark - mr. negative
I'm pessimistic, fatalistic, with an attitude
That's turned ballistic
No rhyme or reason
No symmetry and no excuse
Let it go - flow with the chaos
Hold tight 'cause I can't refuse
Fate speaks, fate speaks loudly
Can't you see there's no returning
Once you've started down this road
You've lost everything you have
And life is over
No impact 'til you make it stronger
Can't you see there's no returning
Once you've started down this road
You've lost everything you have
And life is over
No impact 'til you make it stronger
(petrucci solo)
Fate speaks, fate speaks loudly
Fate speaks, fate speaks loudly
Fate speaks, fate speaks loudly
Fate speaks, fate speaks loudly...
Can't you see there's no returning
Once you've started down this road
You've lost everything you have
And life is over
No impact 'til you make it stronger
Can't you see there's no returning
Once you've started down this road
You've lost everything you have
And life is over
No impact 'til you make it stronger...
[Instrumental]
Bret douglas - lead vocals
Trent gardner - harmonies
When every word has been written
When every line has been read
When every person cries for justice
And every partner drops dead
When every loss has been suffered
When every war has been fought
When every son been laid to rest
When every lesson has been taught
There comes a time when you realize
It's all over - sooner or later
All of us together - stop pretending it's not
It's going down - it's going down
Nobody listens - I can't believe it.
(petrucci solo)
There comes a time when you realize
It's all over - sooner or later
All of us together - stop pretending it's not
It's going down - it's going down
Nobody listens - I can't believe it.
When every breath has been drawn
When every sickness has been shared
When every soul has quit religion
When every priest has run scared
When all the actors take a last bow
When all the big deals have gone down
When every cynic's crucified us
When every mother screams out loud
There comes a time when you realize
It's all over - sooner or later
All of us together - stop pretending it's not
It's going down - it's going down
Nobody listens - I can't believe it.
(murphy-guillory solos)
(petrucci solo)
Found asleep at the wheel
Believing in things that are not real
Our reasons more of the same
Pointless encounters - endless cliches
Things escape me time and again
Running in circles while anarchy wins
Not me - I'm not going down
Refuse to sell out or lay down
Fate speaks
Fate speaks loudly
Fate speaks
Fate speaks
Fate speaks loudly
Fate speaks loudly...
(petrucci solo)
Face my sentence in despair
Pacing the floor - the enemy's there
I'm just so sick and tired of it all
Nothing but commerce
Makes my skin crawl
Fate speaks
Fate speaks loudly
Fate speaks
Fate speaks
Fate speaks loudly
Fate speaks
Fate speaks
Fate speaks loudly
Fate speaks
You think I've lost it
For what I have said
You've got the problem
And it's all in your head
It's just too dark
It's just too real
Don't take for granted
This chance we have to feel
Why do we take it?
We're out of control
We're getting worse now
And we're selling our souls
It's just too dark
It's just too real
Don't take for granted
This chance we have to feel
(sherinian solo)
(petrucci solo)
Why do we take it?
We're out of control
We're getting worse now
And we're selling our souls
It's just too dark
It's just too real
Don't take for granted
This chance we have to feel
You think I've lost it
For what I have said
You've got the problem
And it's all in your head
It's just too dark
It's just too real
Don't take for granted
This chance we have to feel...
(gardner solo)
(petrucci solo)
[Instrumental]
When your mind stays awake and your body cries for sleep
Disillusioned from the pain you're in way too deep.
As the chains bind your soul and the sweat takes it's toll
Don't submit to addiction - can't escape the whole world.
You're just looking for something - you can't find it in a bottle
You accelerate to the limit - three more hits and the throttle
Will take you to the grave - to an early demise - don't
Expect any mercy
If you live in disguise.
Preaching again to the multitudes end.make a promise to
Stop now 'cause
I can't even look in the mirror/a freak, a cruel lie/i've
Been fooling myself
In the images that I've justified.
Breaking these circles surrounding me there's a great
White light at the
End/my life is worth living again and again-
Now I believe in the knowledge and now I'm in the light.
Breaking these circles - don't repeat all our darkest
Nightmares
The universal man/still in the same place his sin of
Remember me when I met you back in chicago?
Filthy bum (twenty plus some) with an old platitude
"mending fences or mending souls"
That was all you had to say
But fate was fair my friend
Now it's your turn to walk in my place
Tell me how's the view from down there-
Come on don't you like it?
Suddenly you are no one and you feel like a freak
Down and out you just might find out who you
Really are
Sorry I can't join you right now
I'd love to stay but can't be late for my happy hour
Now don't get caught up in your paranoia
Just accept that we both -
Lose if there's a confrontation
Well I think we've got to find
Some good excuse with a prospect of detente
But standing my ground
I have drawn the line
Past which there can be no more compromise
Somebody help me find a way out of it
I'm quite sure there must be
More than meets the eye
A matter of what's inside
Pretending my soul can hide from the outside
When everyone can see we're hiding tragedy
Social marginal-
Setting the stage for our power struggle
Social marginal-
Engaging you in a test of wills
Social marginal-
No diversions please
It's time to wear your gameface
It's time to wear it now.....just put it on.
Now don't get caught up in your paranoia
Just accept that we both
Lose if there's a confrontation
And it's all we've got to find
A crucible can't we compromise?
Now.
Somebody help me find a way out of it
I'm quite sure there must be
More than meets the eye
A matter of what's inside
Pretending my soul can hide from the outside
When everyone can see we're hiding tragedy
Now.
Social marginal-
Setting the stage for our power struggle
Social marginal-
Engaging you in a test of wills
Social marginal-
No diversions please
It's time to wear your gameface
It's time to wear it now - right now.
Mending fences, mending souls?
Read between the lines and you'll know
Now.
Now it's your turn to accept me-
Now.
....but caught up in your own self-righteousness
Crossing the line of demarcation
They took a passage to the west
Dead reckoning they doubled back
Into the north they anchored for bad weather
San Martin and Magellan almost lost sight of the flagship
The Santiago and Victoria led
No sign of land altered the course
Why not return for winter?
No violation of direct royal orders
The men, the officers, all cried ";return";
No captains that had discipline-
rode the high seas in storms and mutiny (with the enemy)
Desperately they sought a haven in an age of discovery...
Extra precautions, setting anchor as they did
Terrified, the crews made pledges back to Spain for pilgrimage
Lighting fires at night to signal shipmates-at last deliverance
from the fury of this godforsaken place they named the ";bay
of travail";-
Ride the high seas in storms and mutiny (with the enemy)
Desperately they sought a haven in an age of discovery...
Genius or madman? So elusive were the straits
Battered were the ships and men
A stop for repairs in St. Julian
The crew wanted to know the route they'd begun
despite stirring exhortations for loyalty from Magellan
Onboard Concepcion there was mutiny in demand
And they moved to take the fleet at night
with the knowledge there was blood on their hands
But the tables turned-the remaining crew blocked the exit
to the sea
A sudden advantage for the general using ruthless strategy...
Target chosen shrewdly of three vessels controlled by the
mutineers
High numbers of neutral foreigners on Victoria would not
rise up against him.
Pulling hard against an ebb
Rebellion muted the message read:
";No mistreatment, I'll do what's right";
No heavy hand will rule the night
On the mainmast high, we'll raise his flag
court martial pending on Trinidad
Condemned to death were forty more
Mendoza ";quartered"; upon the shore
Poetic justice coming swift and severe
But how could he lose so many men?
Commute the sentence for the sin
Confined to quarters and distasteful labor
Convicted conspirators fallen in his disfavor
Philosophers and scholars began to challenge
The true dimensions of the earth (new evidence uncovered)
Finding the straits Magellan died triumphant
but no vindication came in time
No statesman, no royalty-
Rode the high seas in storms and mutiny (with the enemy)
Desperately they sailed the globe in a voyage of treachery
Circumnavigation returning Victoria with twenty-one
Determined by storms and mutiny
he conquered the sea
Though honor followed, a witness he would not be......
I. magna carta overture (instrumental)
Ii. declaration
John the king of england
Duke of normandy (count of aquitaine)
Spoke to all his subjects
Declaring freedom and reform in this present charter...
Iii. status quo
In the first place it is our will
Before we quarrel there are rights to instill
Upon our heirs, confirmed with grace
The english church shall stand in faith
If any earl or baron dies
And owes us relief we will rectify
Our binding words to the sons under age:
"we'll hold it in trust - your inheritance is saved."
The guardian of the land will now answer to us.
Assignable for husbandry and wardship.
The treaty of the magna carta will ensure this.
Iv. reform
City of london have all your liberties
Free customs and furthermore; petition counsel
That no assessment shall reach into the pockets
Of the common man
We respect the rights of the common man
We must respect the rights of the common man.....
No witch hunt executions to be held in the shadows
No trivial crimes shall condemn one to the gallows
All evil customs, warrens, sheriffs, shall be abolished
All hostages will be released
In the the final hours of this decadence we must defeat
'cause it's not too late for the future
Stand back - look around
It's a time for peace not a time for war or for judgement
Summon all, listen to my order!
This fifteenth day of june in runnymeade
All must coincide as the magna carta is ratified.....
V. restoration
Should a man transgress this charter
We'll judge in fairness with law and order
Time for the kingdom to be granted all these things
Wishing betterment for allies, with security.
Liberty of conscience is finally restored as the
Magna carta is moving forward in this restoration
From such a young man his great awakenings has
Saved our homeland.....
In a modern world we still must fight to learn the
Lessons that prolong our plight
The history of those before should help us now but
We choose to ignore
Explore the new ground - discovery
We know the answers but no one sees
We are so close but we stand so far
From the restoration - the nearest star
The hour of restoration is now upon us
We measure the time all history to the present the
Magna carta
Trust of the ancient living.
City of london have all your liberties, free customs
And furthermore
Petition counsel that no assessment shall reach into
The pockets of the common man.
We restored the rights of the common man
Fly the flag
Put your hand on your heart
You can be assured
That you've done your part
Watch the nation bleed
From the comfort of your chair
And then you'll just become
A lazy bum sitting there
Friends of america
Where are you now?
Get up and do something for
America, all of us stand up now.
Face the facts, we must practice
What we preach/let go of yesterday -
There is an answer in our reach.
Someone lead the way, make us
Do the rest/we'll join together -
Sound the call/now it's time to
Show them whose the best.
Friends of america
The world is a witness to the change
Of events in the rise of america.
Who are your leaders? and who are
Your heroes? in this america.
Stronger than ever we unite for the
Common cause of america.
Back in '61 to '65, their indifferences,
Could never hide the buried hopes
Of peace/that rest beneath them wearing
Grey or blue.
Did the burning of white mansions still
The fire inside their hearts to kill
Each other? the memories that lie where ash remains.
They marched all the fathers and sons
To a slaughter/
Then the widows and daughters knew
That no one would march back home.
Can you feel it? don't deny that it comes from
Deep within your soul.
Can you feel it? don't you see that this
Is something we can do together?
The intolerance bred ignorance and prejudice
But they possessed destructive powers
Making it too real for them to see
That their strength was an illusion
Fueled by dreams of glory writing
Their own story
Knowing that no man should be
Enslaved.
Though it's hard to build on dreams again
We must fight the demon if
We're going to win.
One more chance to live again - to prosper the
Open land that God gave them. one more
Chance to live a new way - they sacrificed
Everything - they threw it away.
Hate must never claim the lives of our heroes
We're living proof of these uncertain times
Lost all our money and we've done our time
I've got no answers-only questions now
No point in starting over
Does no good anyhow.
I'm not a critic and I'm not a friend
Coming to terms or coming to an end?
Another test of wills could bring us down
I sense a confrontation in the way we sound
I hate to say I told you so-
Before you never listened to a word
But you remembered everything went wrong
So well..............so well.
Now I can't leave and I can't stay
But I regret our moments everyday - don't you?
I heard you say this once before:
"you are my crucible".
Now don't be angry at the world - it's you
That comes between us and I know you know it too
We're living proof of these uncertain lines
No point in going back
"these are my last words, their treasonous hands
Have us all under siege, now do you understand? "
Gossens ministers - all at hand
Will take up final stations
As the coup hunts a single man
No offer of exile did he take in his last trial...
Covert action - santiago
The u.s. denies it but the president knows
Broken fathers, strut of the guard
See cruel opportunists where the losers die hard
Seeking refuge from this "land of fire".
Allende supporters are gathered
Estadium nacional
They disappear, ask them how the tortured shall
Dispatch a message to loved ones now
Their photographs worn by survivors
Estadium nacional
A swede is the only trace of redeemed grace
As edelstam prepares a place
Of asylum but without "sanction".
Fleeing persecution - visas feigning new
Identities
So they wait there at the embassies...
Labor takes a fall (impending ascension)
The white house seems appalled at the disgrace
They toast a secret cheer in executive session
And keep it going strong (wear a gameface)
Hunter hawker dive (impending ascension)
Superiors decide it's a rat race
It's all about control (impending ascension)
See nixon take a hold from his powerful place.
How much terror for five thousand?
How many others suffer on the outside of this stadium?
Is there no end?
These are my last words-treasonous hands
Have us all under siege, now do you understand?
Hear my last broadcast-mic in hand
Workers rise up-bear arms-the coup rapes it's own homeland
Hold on th your memories ("disappeared families")
What justice befalls our enemies?
Allende supporters are gathered-estadium nacional
They disappear, ask them how the tortured shall
Dispatch a message to loved ones now
Their photographs worn by survivors-estadium nacional
We pray just to turn the page upon this stage
Of human suffering-a world enraged
Now there must be a new resistance!
Cardinal commission, extraordinary will/solidarity no wish to kill
Am I dreaming? how can all of this be real? will I wake to see
We are the misfits with a broken horizon
Like Keats or Hemingway, survive with poets defiance
Christmas at the Martinique grieving for a home
Three generations tough it out on the big street all alone...
Rank of the privileged on the evening commute
Don't want to be bothered, don't want to be used
booming in suburbia, shuttle's on the way
A beggar asks for money. It's a dollar you don't want to pay-
To the Waterfront Weirdos
For the Waterfront Weirdos
Who are the Waterfront Weirdos?
Many live on the edge, keep them out of sight out of mind
In our midst a disgrace-answers are elusive yet we find
It's so damn hard to conceive `till it looks you straight in the eye
Just take a walk on West 32nd Street or pick up a New York Times
and believe it...
Up in an ivory tower it's hard to see, hard to feel, hard to be
homeless and one of the outcast-Waterfront Weirdos.
Who are the Waterfront Weirdos?
Many live on the edge, keep them out of sight out of mind
In our midst a disgrace-answers are elusive then we find
Powerless is a child in the wake of hunger at night
Giving up-giving in
Can't we hear their screaming from within...?
My life spent standing here in the back of a line
I'm living for the moment-yes, I'm living by the hour
in a game of survival
In a mood of resignation I'm not the man I am-
meal ticket, waiting for a handout
Things will change and somehow I'll get out
I keep telling myself it won't last forever
Adversity closing in, my sanity lapses, I'll rise again
Resisting the end
Only 22 as my apprehension seques into an IMPENDING ASCENSION
I could not fake this for long
How long am I supposed to take it lying down?
I will not take this lying down!
Many live on the edge
Keep them out of sight out of mind
In the end it is us
picking up the pieces that we find
On the path of least resistance evidence is loud and clear
When will we wake up?
Failures are mounting as the underclass grows
every year and believe that-
Up in an ivory tower it's hard to see, hard to feel, hard to be homeless
and one of the Waterfront Weirdos
It's so damn hard to believe `till it looks you straight in the eye
Shake the hands of losers lost on Broadway who remember a
nostalgic time and believe that-
Up in an ivory tower it's hard to see, hard to feel, hard to be homeless
Swear I'm gonna break free
From the grip of sin
From that killer of hope...
'cause all I see is that killer of hope.
Well, did I ever think to think?
I didn't even try
I should have listened to the wise
Now its too late - I knew better
There's nothing good here
And it's time that I put this out-
All I am to you is another doubt
I don't believe in nothing
I don't believe that I care
Don't try to make me do it
All I need is just a little push, not a shove
And I'll get off the fence in a while...
She's the killer of hope
With a conscience that is clear
She understands I'm just a man
With a common fear
She's just what I need to forsake
But it's not that easy
[x1 How much more can I take?]
[x2... not supposed to be]
Now that I know her
I am never looking back
I've been beat up, I've been spit out,
I know shit, jack...
She may be my killer of hope
But if she calls my name now
I ain't going back
So now it's up to me
The future that I see
My spirit growing dark
And I fear (Oh God, I fear)
The moment that I try
My moment wants to die
Swear I'm gonna break free
From the grip of sin-
Fear in a young one with innocence
A crisis I must resolve to handle with
Competence
He wants to know if he will be "taken" too
He worried - he asked me point blank
"will I ever be as old as you? "
He just afraid at a young age
Don't want to leave you at a young age
Son I am sorry that things are not always
The way they appear
And don't you think about it anymore today
We've got plenty of time-so just for now
Please-
Keep me in sight - do as I say son
Please remember I can't always be there
So walk fast, look worried.
How did he think of such a question?
I'm sorry I have to be the one
That changes his perception
Wish we could keep things just like
We had before - an illusion
The point is our survival is the only thing
We're living for
I'm just afraid at a young age
Want to say the right words at a young age......
Son I am sorry that things are not always
The way they appear
And don't you think about it anymore today
We've got plenty of time-so just for now
Please-
Keep me in sight - do as I say son
Please remember I can't always be there
So walk fast, look worried (x2)
Walk fast, look worried.......(x4)
Sorry son, but I've just begun
Don't mean to break up all the fun
Walk fast, look worried
So disengage while your at the age
That you really don't care
Walk a line, keep it true
'cause there's more to life than I've told you
They'll take your money - take your pride
Gonna sell you on the dark side..........
Experience machines that know your thoughts and know your dreams
A better way of seeing things you won't believe it's real
Interact, you and i-there's a feeling lost we can't deny
I've opened up. we never tried to simulate it all.
Our love-it can be a virtual reality.
If we learn by degrees that the place you stand I may not be
In human change it's hard to see which barriers divide
What appears to be real is just the thing we want to feel
Technology our saving grace-a guiding hand to touch the face
Our love, it can be a virtual reality
Our love could go far if we just admit the truth of what we are
Matters of perception making all of the difference now
It's not the real world
So take a harder look at compromise-for there is nothing to lose
In our own image we can't create what we want to be
I want to know if there's forgiveness within a virtual reality
Our love, it can be a virtual reality
Our love, it can be a virtual reality
Our love could go far
But we have to face the truth of what we are not...
Could we see clearer in a virtual reality?
Could we be together in a virtual reality?
Matters of perception making all of the difference now
It's not the real world
So take a harder look at compromise-for there is nothing to lose
In our own image we can't create what we want to be
Language and meter
Tools for a task
Structure and movement
There's logic at last
Critical rave
Misanthrope hired
Humans want quickness
So keep it under the wire
"the pit and the pendulum"
"the man of the crowd"
"the tell tale heart"
His characters move
Baptism by fire
A writer like a blacksmith-forging works of iron
The jagged edges tempered into solid scripts for hire
Solitary craftsman at his console merging audio discrete
An ever changing soundscape sets the stage; the twains shall meet
In a union strong
Just like a working stiff
He is a songsmith
In a strange synthesis
"restoration" announced
It's the new riffs that count (no mainstream bore playing 13/4...)
Break out of silence-complete the curve
The songsmith maintaining his avant-garde nerve
Innovation his palette-the urge and the test
Adrenalin flowing, he can't even rest unless-
Harmonic elements and special fx
Conform to all his whims, an interpretive text
But he'd sing for the masses if he just had the time
With a vocal ideal and a long lyric line
He is a songsmith
Break out of silence-complete the curve
The songsmith maintaining his avant-garde nerve
Innovation his palette-the urge and the test
Adrenalin flowing, he can't even rest unless-
Harmonic elements and special effects
Conform to all his whims, an interpretive text
And he'd sing for the media if he had equal time
With a vocal ideal and a long lyric line
He is a songsmith
It's not too late for the songsmith
The curtain opens for creativity
Give a backseat role to conspiracy
Hear the signature and the melody
Of the author flow in polyphony
Will the writer last?
Will his trade survive?
In a world of commerce
Can he hope to thrive?
If his final sequence is not contrived
Keep him honest now
Just to keep him alive
[verse 1]
I hear you laughing loudly
But I'm not laughing with you
Well you may be joking first
But I'll be the one who has the last laugh
[verse 2]
You call yourself "progressive"
I say it's all regressive
You think you can stand in judgment
So listen here and I'll remind you
["chorus"]
Preaching the converted 'cause it's all you know
Music's dead because it's all about the money now
And you don't even know who you are anymore
"put it out somehow" -
And the business man laughs all the way to the bank
And he's counting fast and he's laughing
Hard.laughing loud
[2nd time only]
And he's counting fast and he's laughing
Hard.laughing loud
And you don't even know who owns you anymore
"put it out somehow" - "put it out somehow"
And the business man laughs all the way to the bank
And he's counting fast and he's laughing
Hard.laughing loud
And he's counting fast and he's laughing
Hard.laughing loud
Can you take it?
[cadence]
In our test of wills you got us for a song
Music's dead you sold us out for much too long
Preaching the converted......
[verse 3]
I've given you all I have
But you say I must find more
"i've got to dig deeper-i've got to see
All the way within my soul"
[verse 4]
You may call it inspiration
But I'd call it desperation
We're wasting our moments for now
Reliving the past - again and again
[repeat with "full chorus"]
[bridge - aba? ]
A game of tin soldiers is all that we're playing here
But nobody wins
Well it doesn't mean anything
'cause it isn't all your saying now
But I hope I'm invited for the ride
Just in case we end our test of wills
Yes I've seen much stranger things in my
Days......
[cadenza]
Preaching still...........
Preaching the converted in our test of
Tendencies that bring us
To our knees
See, there's no unity
Just a thousand different ways
Time for church
Oh really, let's see
Do the Jew and Gentile
Really need to agree?
What 'cha reading?
Did you think I'd be surprised?
You're the pastor's cash cow
But the good book still survives
But I'm late for church
I'm really late for church...
I don't want to dress up nice
I just want to stay home
I feel like watching big screen TV
With NFL on the VCR
And Pink Floyd on the DVD
I'm late for church - late for church
I'm late for church.
Now get in the car
Or there could be trouble
Why can't I just go back to sleep
It's long past 10 am...
From the Vatican
To the Rio Grande
Everything is dying
But I ain't weeping no more
In my school of thought
Religion reaping naught
It must be what I've bought
And they ain't selling any more
I don't want to dress up nice
I just want to stay home
I feel like watching big screen TV
With NFL on the VCR
And Pink Floyd on the DVD
I'm late for church - late for church
I'm late for church.
I'll get in the car
If you answer my question
Why so many churches here?
D.c. cooper - lead vocals
When every word has been written
And every line has been read
When every person cries for justice
When every partner drops dead
When every loss has been suffered
When every war has been fought
When every son's been laid to rest
When every lesson has been taught
Spoken: "and this is the moment when you will
Make your impact...an intensity found in your
Life when you make a real and profound differ-
Ence...seize it , seize it...rise up."
(murphy solo)
When all the actors take a last bow
When all big deals have all gone down
When every cynic has crucified us
When every mother screams out loud...
(gardner solo)
(sheehan solo)
(bemesderfer solo)
(howe solo)
There's nothing left to ask for
There's nothing left to say
The same old songs are playing again
Just like it's yesterday
There's nothing left to hope for
There's nothing left to be
It's all been done before
But maybe I'll wait right here and see
There's nothing left but boredom
There's nothing left but pain
There's nothing to do
'cause the suffering lasts
As it keeps you in it's wake
I'd like to make a difference
Yes, I'd like to make one try
But who the hell am I fooling?
I can't see you mama
But I know you're always there
Ooh to touch and to feel you mama
Oh I just can't keep away
It's the heat and the steam of the city
Oh its got me running and I just can't brake
So say you'll help me mama
Cause its getting so hard
Now I can't keep you mama
But I know you're always there
You listen, you teach me mama
And I know inside you care
So get down, down here beside me
Oh you ain't going nowhere
No I won't hurt you mama
But its getting so hard
Can't you see me mama
Mama mama mama please
Can't you feel my heart
Can't you feel my heart
Can't you feel my heart ooh
Listen to me mama
Mama mama
You're taking away any last chances
Don't take it away
Can't you feel my heart?..
It's hot, too hot for me mama
But I can't hardly wait
My eyes they're burning mama
Make the pain, make it go away
No I won't hurt you mama
But its getting so hard
Now I can't see you mama
But I know you're always there
You taunt, you tease me mama
But I never, never can keep away
There comes a moment in time
Before ascent or decline
You'll face your darkest hours
When other see in your face
The test of wills you've embraced
You are your own opponent
Keeping your focus in the rat race
Do what you have to so you can keep pace
You'll love the contact if you wear a gameface
Harvest a new relation
Engage some tribulation
Progress by confrontation?
You stand in awe but don't see
You are your adversary
Shut up and have some vision
Futures lost in decision
Keeping your focus in the rat race
Do what you have to so you can keep pace
You're first I'm last
You're thirst I'm asked to justify
Killing our last heaven beast
Don't hunt the whale
In beauty Vision
Do we Offer much
If we reason with destiny, gonna lose our touch
Don't kill the whale
--- | ---
Rejoice They sing
They worship their own space
In a moment of love, they will die for their grace
Don't kill the whale
If time will allow
We will judge all who came
In the wake of our new age to stand for the frail
Ritual of mourning
No praying in his faith
a heathen is rejoicing
No God, so there's no grace
How can he understand this
when war is at each hand?
Rejecting all mysteries
He just won't see...
that saved, he can be
Forgive the heathen -he's asleep now
All that he can do
of him I'll ask-
Is your soul worth the price to pay?
Well, finally discovered
when he looked upon your face
The melodies that kept him
from dying in this place (more and more)
What it really comes to
is the passion that we shared
In this fight I gave everything
and I never held anything back
But by the time he found this out
I had walked away
I had moved on to another place
and another day - it was too late.
What are his chances now?
What can I do?
I'm confessing here
as I'm waiting for you -
Yes, I'm waiting for you…
with this hymn for a heathen.
Can you hear me now?
Won't you please hear me now?
All I'm praying for is a heathen.
Lord, he's not the same man now
He can't hear you anymore...
'cause his old ways -
Evangelists - praise the divine
Cardinals - shift on the mainline
Cause and effect - rule at the same time
Absolution stopped - right at the bloodline
Heretics scream - "no prophets"
Zealots all walk a gauntlet
Spread the word - drink from the goblet
Native nations bleed in scarlet
Problematic - my tension
Ease the guilt with confession
So pray the angels are all Christian
Will the heathen find redemption?
Feel the cross
is it burning deep in you?
Are you searching?
Love - mysterious expression
spirit dwarfs in regression…
Know the cross
Know the passion
a final trial of oppression
Kingdom come in restoration
Martyrdom then salvation.
Feel the cross…
Overplayed and understated
Maximized and underrated
Overdrawn and overstated
What about the truth -what about it?
Minimized, overemphasized
Exaggerated just to dramatize
There's a whole lot more than fame here
And a whole lot more to money
Ok, I've made my point now speak up
Let's hear what you have to say
Just give it to me hard - give it to me straight
Tell me I'm wrong about everything
Overblown and sinking fast
Underfoot and overcast
Make a future with the past
What am I to do -what about it?
Overgrown, contemplated
Overloaded, captivated
In a deadly serious game
With a healthy dose of overkill
Whoever said the best things are free
Wasn't around -That never made sense to me
-'Cause after living…
In a way, I'd have to say nothing ever came cheap
So that just can't be…
I am not the only one that lost it
Some things just have to be said
Now I'd like to make it up to you
Pick up the pieces…if you'll let me
Ok, I've made my point now speak up
Let's hear what you have to say
Just give it to me hard - give it to me straight
Tell me I'm wrong about everything…
No time for introductions -no time at all
Listen…
Undermanned and overcharged
Understood and over farmed
Under where? Undertaker.
-Bet he knows the truth, he'll tell you
"Underground, underhanded
Only so much time is granted"
I never said that I had the answers
I never said I knew the truth
But I know if you're gonna die
You might as well - you might as well
Really try and live
Well, maybe that's all there is to it.
Whoever said the best things are free
Wasn't around -That never made sense to me
-'Cause after living…
In a way, I'd have to say nothing ever came cheap
So that just can't be…
I am not the only one that lost it
Some things just have to be said
Now I'd like to make it up to you
Pick up the pieces…if you'll let me
Ok, I've made my point now speak up
Let's hear what you have to say
Just give it to me hard - give it to me straight
Tell me I'm wrong…
I am not the only one that lost it
Some things just have to be said
Now I'd like to make it up to you
Pick up the pieces…if you'll let me try.
How can we replace what we had at home?
Fame will not love you the way I do…
Part I. "Youthful Enthusiasm" (instrumental)
Part II. "Psych 101"
Well a bad day fishin' is better than a good day at
work
But a bad day in paradise is a bad deal
Let's say goodbye before we've ever met
You're alone on the shore of cranium reef
No one gets inside my head
No one
I'm a bad part of town on a bad stretch of road.
I'm a bag of tricks in a balancing act
I'm a battered heart and a bath of tears
I'm no bank and no barrel of monkeys
You're alone on the shore of cranium reef.
No one gets inside my head
No one
You're a band of gypsies and a band of thieves
Now you're burning in the sun and you've washed ashore
Don't try "psych 101" on me - we've been there before
I've got a cold embrace at the cranium reef
Trust me you're all alone at the cranium reef
Part III "Primal Defense"
Heart and mind may disagree
But I'm growing old
Too far down the road to change now
'cause you speak to me but youth's on your side
you're so much more than I care to find
What is sacred? What is profane?
Your approach is near and there's something
I fear inside of you -reminding me like a mirror that
shows
My past that died long ago
No closet full of skeletons
Can bring me out here
I've got a cold blank stare so don't wait
I've got a colder embrace
You're an Ivy League amateur
"I mean no one comes in here ever"
No one comes in here
No one. No one.
No one passes cranium reef
Not even I can look at my grief
Don't come to me pretending you're wise
I am a man who can see what is real
And is fear what is real?
Stranded on cranium reef
Alone with your thoughts you can drink with your grief
You color your lies with a cool motif
Stranded on cranium reef
Lost at cranium reef
At my coral barrier of disbelief
You're a cold hard future with no relief
Brutal reality at cranium reef
I am a bitter pill to swallow
I am a bittersweet memory
You need me like a hole in the head
Now show me that our "body" is real
We need conversation 'cause I got a case of the blues
And I'm a burned out bridge that nothing here...nothing
can rebuild...no, no, no, no.
I am a bitter pill to swallow
I am a bittersweet memory
You need me like a hole in the head
Now show me that our "body" is real
We need conversation 'cause I got a case of the blues
And I'm a burned out bridge that nothing here...nothing
can rebuild...no, no, no, no.
Heart and mind may disagree
But I'm growing old
Too far down the road to change now
'cause you speak to me but youth's on your side
you're so much more than I care to find... (repeat
Aqualung my friend
don't start away uneasy
you poor old sod, you see, it's only me.
Sitting on a park bench
eyeing little girls with bad intent.
Snot running down his nose
greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes.
Drying in the cold sun
Watching as the frilly panties run.
Feeling like a dead duck
spitting out pieces of his broken luck.
Sun streaking cold
an old man wandering lonely.
Taking time
the only way he knows.
Leg hurting bad,
as he bends to pick a dog-end
he goes down to the bog
and warms his feet.
Feeling alone
the army's up the rode
salvation à la mode and
a cup of tea.
Aqualung my friend
don't start away uneasy
you poor old sod, can't you see, it's only me.
Do you still remember
December's foggy freeze
when the ice that
clings on to your beard is
screaming agony.
And you snatch your rattling last breaths
with deep-sea-diver sounds,
and the flowers bloom like
madness in the spring.
Sun streaking cold
an old man wandering lonely.
Taking time
the only way he knows.
Leg hurting bad,
as he bends to pick a dog-end
he goes down to the bog
and warms his feet.
Feeling alone
the army's up the rode
salvation à la mode and
a cup of tea.
Aqualung my friend
don't start away uneasy
you poor old sod, can't you see, it's only me
Aqualung my friend
don't start away uneasy
you poor old sod, can't you see, it's only me.
Sitting on a park bench
eyeing little girls with bad intent.
Snot running down his nose
greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes.
Drying in the cold sun
Watching as the frilly panties run.
Feeling like a dead duck
One man's playing piano and one man's drooling on the
floor
And one man's making missiles 'cause he wants to
prevent a world war
One man's disadvantaged just because his skin is black
And one man's children starve to death but not the
idiot savants
No - not the idiot savants
No - it can never be the idiot savants
One man o.d.'ed on New Year's Eve
His dealer too happy to grieve
One man killed and another held out (the idiot savants)
Stupid wisdom is what this world's about.
We're so wise -so knowing -so understanding
The questions of life are so undemanding
So we grope and we hope that we'll find an answer
I must be an idiot or just one hell of a dancer
This one sings like an angel but she can't tie her
shoes
But this one likes everybody -he just can't stand to
hear the news
So what if my cousin's on the street
There's someone there to help him
This one don't wanna take care of the other two (the
idiot savant)
'cause he's thinking of things he'd rather do
One man o.d.'ed on New Year's Eve
His dealer too happy to grieve
One man killed and another held out (the idiot savants)
Stupid wisdom is what this world's about
This guy can't even write his name
That lady thinks she's going insane
This time I'll find another home
At the end of the world, the big man came
"you promised last time you wouldn't make it rain"
So he picked up the earth like a basketball
And threw it into hell just to watch it fall...
Well the big man he don't care about the
Average American - cause he don't cater to no one
There ain't no free lunch -there ain't no sense in
forgiving
Some son of a bitch that won't work for a living (he
says):
Why water weeds when you can mow them down?
Why water weeds? They'll just go back underground
Why water weeds? Just let 'em wither away
Why water weeds? It's the American way
I'll change history and I'll change hands and horses
Chompin' at the bit 'cause the father raised an idiot
I'll change history -I'll change hats and partners
Dazzle 'em with my wit or just baffle them with some
bullshit
At the end of the world, the big man came
"you promised last time you wouldn't make it rain"
So he picked up the earth like a basketball
And threw it into hell just to watch it fall...
Why water weeds? Just let 'em wither away
Why water weeds? It's the American way
At the end of the world, the big man came and said
"you promised last time that you wouldn't make it rain"
He picked up the earth like a basketball
And threw it into hell just to watch it fall... (he
said)
I'll change history and I'll change hands and horses
Chompin' at the bit cause the father raised an idiot
I'll change history -I'll change hats and partners
Dazzle 'em with my wit or just baffle them with some
bullshit
I'll change history and I'll change hands and horses
Chompin' at the bit...
How long can I run? Don't you see what they'll do to
When "they" find out what I've done -how long can I
run? (x2)
Magic land so far away - was
It worth the voyage in these days?
The lives of soldiers thrown away
In medieval claims to yesterday...
Off the starboard bow/in the
Heat of the night/we visualize
Apocalypse in the fire fight,
The parliament says "it's necessary"
But birmingham calls you home/
The neighborhood, the family, the
Mind begins to roam.
Ocean currents flowing/taking
Vessels to a war/whether right
Or wrong it's a moot point/as we
Hit the shore/a former king's
Residence/in the district of the
North/the crown of england is risking
All for sovereignty at stanley port.
The mission. the mission. don't forget
The mission.
But there's no way out/i don't want
To stand here and fight anymore/
Please - couldn't we find a better way,
I just saw somebody die.
Waving the flag as he fell to the ground -
While the locals rejoiced in liberation.
So take those ice cold islands back -
Almighty union jack/a thousand
Victories will be behind you/in royal
Fashion the colonies, the land swept up
In the naval destruction out at sea.
No wire to the u.k. - no moral
Ground can prepare us to die at
Falkland sound.*
So take those ice cold islands back
Almighty union jack/a thousand
Victories will be behind you/when will
We learn to cease the fire/my friends
In modern times - we need a better way.
Because this place belongs to all of us
Responsibility lies within each of us
The revenge we seek will not conquer us...
Listen.
This place belongs to all of us
Responsibility lies within each of us
One earth, one mind can save us
Wish it could be prosperity
That's waiting around the corner
All I can see is more agony
I don't believe things are better
Want it for you - want it for me
Let's do it and keep our sanity
Always a fight - we both may be right
Too stubborn to see
It's not adversity, it's polarity
A balance that keeps the day
Can't we agree to disagree?
It just might work out this way
Want it for you - want it for me
Let's do it and keep our sanity
All in the past so save it for last
When you think of me
'cause our finest hour is our darkest day
To admit we're human-
That there's more to life than we want to say
In our test of wills did we turn to man?
Did we look for answers-
From a higher source than we understand?
Gotta second chance if we will come clean now
Or it's all over.
I gotta keep it-
I gotta keep it going(keep it going)
Conflict in everything must be defined
Look around - see the answers-
I think you'll find
Nothing is left to chance it's all design
Deny it- pay the price? (or peace will find
Us...)
In our test of wills did we turn to man?
Did we look for answers-
From a higher source than we understand?
Gotta second chance if we will come clean now
Or it's all over
I got to keep it going got to keep it going
Going got to keep it going
Depression overwhelming me-a sign
Burning out - can't believe it
I know you feel it
Lost in transgression may be it is time
Decide if we're back together or divided
'cause our finest hour is our darkest day
To admit we're human-
That there's more to life than we want to say
In our test of wills did we turn to man?
Did we look for answers-
From a higher source than we understand?
Gotta second chance if we will come clean now
Or it's all over
A misunderstanding unraveling
Flashing back the years
Memories hopes and fears
Calling me home at last
Now I'm taking refuge in the past
All I can do for now
If it's all the same to you...
It it's all the same to you...
I'll be there if it's all the same to you.
But in the end-when everything's said and done
Facing my own excuses
And there's nowhere to run
I should have been the only one to pay
For all the times I heard you say-
I was wrong to you.....
I was wrong to you.....
I was wrong to you.....
Wake up.
Wish it could be prosperity
That's waiting around the corner
All I can see is more agony
I don't believe things are better
Want it for you - want it for me
Let's do it and keep our sanity
Always a fight - we both may be right
Too stubborn to see
'cause our finest hour is our darkest day
To admit we're human-
That there's more to life than we want to say
In our test of wills did we turn to man?
Did we look for answers-
From a higher source than we understand?
Gotta second chance if we will come clean now
Crossing the line of demarcation
They took a passage to the west
Dead reckoning they doubled back
Into the north they anchored for bad weather
San martin and magellan almost lost sight of the flagship
The santiago and victoria led
No sign of land altered the course
Why not return for winter?
No violation of direct royal orders
The men, the officers, all cried "return"
No captains that had discipline-
Rode the high seas in storms and mutiny (with the enemy)
Desperately they sought a haven in an age of discovery...
Extra precautions, setting anchor as they did
Terrified, the crews made pledges back to spain for pilgrimage
Lighting fires at night to signal shipmates-at last deliverance
From the fury of this godforsaken place they named the "bay
Of travail"-
Ride the high seas in storms and mutiny (with the enemy)
Desperately they sought a haven in an age of discovery...
Genius or madman? so elusive were the straits
Battered were the ships and men
A stop for repairs in st. julian
The crew wanted to know the route they'd begun
Despite stirring exhortations for loyalty from magellan
Onboard concepcion there was mutiny in demand
And they moved to take the fleet at night
With the knowledge there was blood on their hands
But the tables turned-the remaining crew blocked the exit
To the sea
A sudden advantage for the general using ruthless strategy...
Target chosen shrewdly of three vessels controlled by the
Mutineers
High numbers of neutral foreigners on victoria would not
Rise up against him.
Pulling hard against an ebb
Rebellion muted the message read:
"no mistreatment, I'll do what's right"
No heavy hand will rule the night
On the mainmast high, we'll raise his flag
Court martial pending on trinidad
Condemned to death were forty more
Mendoza "quartered" upon the shore
Poetic justice coming swift and severe
But how could he lose so many men?
Commute the sentence for the sin
Confined to quarters and distasteful labor
Convicted conspirators fallen in his disfavor
Philosophers and scholars began to challenge
The true dimensions of the earth (new evidence uncovered)
Finding the straits magellan died triumphant
But no vindication came in time
No statesman, no royalty-
Rode the high seas in storms and mutiny (with the enemy)
Desperately they sailed the globe in a voyage of treachery
Circumnavigation returning victoria with twenty-one
Determined by storms and mutiny
He conquered the sea
Lonely cries and crucified tears
Terror slices from darkened graves
The moon cries over desperate years
"every right" my warrior
devils run from my warrior.
Prayers kiss this requiem
hunger grovels at feet gone before
no regrets – not these young men
"every right" my warrior
Devils run from my warrior.
Jesus whispers in the trenches
Souls are summoned in a dark divide
guts and fists – a parent clenches
now my own is on his way
"every right" my warrior
devils run from my warrior
Anguish sides with the innocents
rain engulfs healthy marrow
mortal secrets told in confidence
not this time, my warrior
Sinners howl at the nothingness
spirits drink down a thirsty toll
Now its selfish I must confess
sweet twilight for my warrior
devils pass on my warrior
Ambush waits – Raven's last chance
watch the crossfire –hold on one more day
bargains made in midnight penance
watch your back now, my warrior.
get your friends out, my warrior
No more time for their childhood toys
thanks to God, and these soldier boys
"every right we now enjoy"
keeps the eyes of heaven crying...
"Thousand yard stare" – grew up hard and fast
more flags are flying here at half-mast
Poured in blood – this hymn is cast...
"every right" my warrior
devils run from my warrior
"every right" my warrior
devils run hard from my warrior
Take me back to the simple years
you're too young to cry these tears
swallow back ' my growing fears
I'm at peace now my warrior
Fate just return my warrior
My child my warrior.
Walking on a still green sea-have you got the faith to let
It be?
Without falling through like an anchor tied - to your
Weighted memories of guilty times.
Stepping on a bed of coals - does little damage to the icy souls
'cause there's just one bridge between pain and hope
So keep mind sharp enough to stay afloat - while
Caught you sleeping on the railroad track
You were so tired that you took a nap
Tied you up while you were on your back
And they told you that your name was jack
Well, they thought you might have been the
Missing link
Make some big cash with those two big feet
A carnival crew's on the city street
Pay admission just to see the freak-
Named jacko...
A sign of the times
Please forgive we're just human kind
People don't see
You're a child and you don't want to be
A jacko.
Big hotel on the news today
By the old fishin' hole where you used to play
It's prime real estate I would have to say
But your home will never look the same
Well, profit shares and the bottom line
Make it to wall street with a glass of wine
Your chemical dump I don't really mind
Now I'm bald and I'm going blind
Poor jacko...
Humanity it speaks of all that it wants to be
And as you can see
All we dish out is hypocrisy
To jacko.
Jacko...
A sign of the times
Please forgive we're the human kind
People can't see
You're a child and you don't want to be
A jacko.........
...just call him jacko
...call him jacko.
I am not your missing link
And I am not your prize
For a hunting expedition under starry skies
Keep me in the wilderness
Where I can breath the air
Maybe one day we will meet
But hey - leave your gun there
If you must come leave your gun there
[jack-hey-jacko-a-hey-a-jacko-call him-
Jack-jacko-call him-hey-call him-hey-
Just call him jacko].
Back in the deep wood a line in the sand
By an old oak tree - you will make your stand
If they find you back there you have had it man
They're gonna kill ya anyway they can
Poor jacko...
A sign of the times
Please forgive we're the human kind
People can't see
You're a child and you don't want to be
To be?
Jacko....
Humanity it speaks of all that it wants to be
And as you can see
James labrie - lead vocals and choruses
Trent gardner - lead vocals (from last
Chorus through outro) and harmony vocals
I've heard enough
Let's make it happen
Let's turn it over
Make life a positive
No more excuses
I'm making progress
I'm moving forward
With new promises
There's nothing left but boredom
Nothing left but pain
There's barely time enough to die
It's all been done before
There's nothing left here
There's nothing I can say
I can say...
(petrucci solo)
Don't think it's me
I have no fear
I feel it working
There's something more here
Let's make it worth it
Still time to react
We've come this far now
To make an impact
(murphy solo during choruses)
Now wait here - can't you see
I've just spelled out reality
It's no fun
But it's now or never
It's now or never
(petrucci)
(guillory solo)
(murphy solo)
Now wait here - can't you see
I've just spelled out reality
It's no fun
But it's now or never
There's nothing left but boredom
Nothing left but pain
There's barely time enough to die
It's all been done before
There's nothing left here
There's nothing I can say
(murphy solo)
Now wait here - can't you see
I've just spelled reality
It's no fun
But it's now or never
It's now or never
So wait here - can't you see
I've just spelled reality
It's no fun
But it's now or never
It's now or...
Now or never.
(petrucci solo)
I've seen it, I've lived it, I know it
I'll say this over again
Again - again
I've got it
Last call - are you going down?
I've seen it, I've lived it, I know it
Last call are you going down? down...
Last call - last call
Last call - are you going down?
Down...
Last call - last call
Last call - are you going down...down?
I've seen it, I've lived it, I know it
Last call -
Are you going down, down, down, down
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down,
Down.....
Down...down...down...? ...'cause I'm not.
We must search together or united we'll fall
Standing at the crossroad - just the two of us.
Will you travel with me? I'll take the surest path
Dredging the world of memory
Dank and dirty as darkness descends
I can not see the moon tonight
There's a mist upon the land -
and it doesn't feel right
Hush my child, I'll give you a clue -
Be careful young friend
The keeper is a prisoner too
Well, I went with the riders of Nebadon
To the battle of right and wrong
But the sun has been down for a month now
All the wrong that I've done...
maybe I'll catch one
Every bullet needs blood
Every bullet needs blood
Man's inhumanity or God's insanity
Such a world as this -
Planet prison or cosmic vision?
We'll survive a sure fire miss...
Who sells the bullets? - who sells the guns?
Has the warden left for the rest of the day?
Every bullet needs blood
Every bullet needs blood
Fire at will...
Every bullet needs blood
Hell to pay...
Hush my child, I'll give you a clue -
Be careful young friend
The keeper is a prisoner too
Father, give me a sanctuary
Don't you see what they'll do to me?
Father, Father please forgive me!!!
Every bullet needs blood...
Like a lamb I was led to the slaughter
I had no choice but to fight
I was played like a pawn
There's blood in the water
Every bullet needs blood...
Every bullet needs blood (every bullet)
You say love is the answer to everything
Well, I've got my doubts you know
The solano county engineering archives, vault 1
Feel free, write your scathing indictment
Pick us apart with your joke of a pen
Pacified poet, standing alone you know it
I hear you preaching:
"do it again - won't you please do it again? "
Plenty of time - hear the hypocrites whine
Pathetic business -
Take it, test it, know it, burn it
It's all a game you play so mealy mouthed
At the trough we lay
I hear you pleading:
"do it again - won't you please do it again? "
Take it all upon you now
Make you mark somehow
And keep it going
With illusions that you're real
And phrases that you'll steall
At your best you'll drag them down
I've heard it all before
It's all been said before
Extending all an invitation - welcome to the
Critic's carnival -
Where writers think they know more than you
No, don't be a fool at critic's carnival
A bully pulpit built to spin a phrase
Will "pitch" a sermon for you
If you've got the money to pay at the
Critic's carnival
Buy fifty dollar words, try bull-shit
No, don't be deceived at critic's carnival...
Invite us to your ivory tower
Impress me with your
Insightfull gift of genius
Yes, you can dish it out
A coward too much clout
Hungry for power -
Do it again - won't you please do it again?
Monday morning's last draft quarterback
Get it right get it wrong
We've just dragged on too long
It's all a game you play
So mealy mouthed at the through we lay
I know you hear me!
Do it again won't you please do it again?
I've seen enough
Of this thing at work called cynicism
And I'm tired of hearing twisted thoughts
With bent expressions
I see no reason to be brother's keeper
'cause at this point
All I need is something more
In fact, this could be hard for me
It could take everything my spirit,
Mind and body can endure
The cynic in me tried to cheat
A pathetic excuse that deceived me
Can't let it lead me
Just a lie -
The biggest ever.
I saw that man
On the street with empty eyes
Not a soul stopped
And said a word to him
My thoughts: 'Don't get involved,
Its not safe, I'm late
for work, he'll just ask
for money'
Brother's Keeper
Brother's Keeper
How much proof do I need?
How much evidence will it take
To shake me down to the core?
But when its my life at stake?
See, that's different now-
Its priority -now I care.
Brother's Keeper
Just act now brother's keeper
Don't complain - mama's sleeper
Be a father - not a weeper
Get off my soap box
Don't want to be a creeper
Brother's keeper.
Just look around me brother's keeper
Standing still 'til we meet the reaper?
No chance of boredom mama's sleeper
Way too much work to do brother's keeper
The brutal cold from Yugoslavia
Cools the mist of death in Macedonia
While the hunger pains in Africa
I just plant my flag in 'absentia'
[Repeat chorus]
I need something to do
Something real
It might pay me back a hundred times
And it might not
My cynic inside screams
I know pay back's a bitch
My thought respond with just a whisper
'Can't listen to my cynic -
least of all my cynic'.
I need something to do
Something real
It might pay me back a hundred times
And it might not
I sure as hell am my brother's keeper
Might as well be my brother's keeper
At least I figured out that much
'can't listen to my cynic -
From Madagascar to Mozambique
Washington to Oman
The drums of war still beat
Business was booming
Now your stocks in the can
because New York City
was the promised land
Conflict of culture
Open season on the free world
Now it's North Korea
but are bigger flags unfurled?
Let's stand tall in uncertain times
A world groove is spinning
No sense to the signs
It's a new world order in infancy here
We're losing generations to chaos
We're not evolving - we are history now.
Fashion is sexy
and the catwalk rules
No winter collections this year
'cause a slowdown brews
Wagner in Israel
But hey, Armstrong -now HE was really King
Well the Beatles to Ellington kick ass
Ya, they're musical genius still sings.
I stand in this holy land
divided by only man
Jerusalem cries for a better day
Fly over oceans far away
Human rights in the light of day
reflect a much different world
America - call it Disneyland
I can't even think about it
On and on it goes
Its best not to think at all...
Earthquake and flood
Tornados touching down
We've got super bowl action here
while aids is killing half the town
Health and disease in Africa
Don't you forget about the acid rain
burning our countryside (down)
in money's name
Lincoln - Jefferson
rolling over in their graves
see modern politicians shrink
from making costly waves
Can you feel the world groove?
Smart bombs and Presidents
United Nations -
Refugees, mercenaries, bankers,
terrorist stations -
Cadillacs, Cartiers
reservations for two -
Kids are starving with gluttony
in plain view
Well, I think I've made my point here
That's all for today
All I want is one more shot
for the epitaph to say:
"All they tried to do is make a difference here -that's
Matt bradley - lead vocals
(gardner solo)
(petrucci solo)
In just a moment your life can slip away
Wasting time by wasting chances
When all that's left here is emptiness and hope
It's always darkest before the dawn will show
So I've got to stay right
Just to see it
I've got to rise up and be much more
There's nothing's new here
My impact fading fast
Why seize the hour if I can not make it last
The cynics laugh hard and the pundits write away
The music's dying but it's epitaph will say
It's not over yet
Just to see it
I've got to rise up and be
And be so much more
Believe I know it
I've got to be right...
(petrucci solo)
There's a light at the end
But a darkness begins
As I take the task at hand
For the glimpse that I see
Is all that I need
Just to try and understand
Why my fate has let it stand
Feel the meaning of power
The meaning of fear
But it's death that's chasing me fast
So who really gives a damn
If I make it at all
I'm just another one that's passed
The pain of a marathon that lasts...
