Streetlight Manifesto Album

and the story goes like this: everything went numb for the money and the guns
and everytime he'd think it out: "there's nothing to worry about
get in the van, don't deviate from the plan
if everything goes smooth then you'll walk away a rich man"
so it begins, everybody walks in
could this be the way or the day that the underdog wins?
i think not, so i bet on the feds because the black hat men never win in the end

ski mask (check)
sawed off (check)
guilty conscience, fear of death (check check check)
everything went numb when he stumbled upon what he thought
was going to be another means to the end
the silence
the sirens
it all went down like his nightmare the night before
i don't want to hear
i don't want to be near
i do what i got to do just to keep my nose clean

the story doesn't end here
don't fear for our hero ain't near the end
my friend
let's take it back to how it all began: with a proposition
and proposition starts with a capital p
"or at least for me" is what he said to himself
but himself ain't a lot when he's got nothing left
of what was once a man, loved and loving
he took that trip that turns something to nothing
right and wrong
there's not a lot a difference when you're singing that poor man's song
and that song it goes just a little like this:

na na na...

ski mask (check)
sawed off (check)
guilty conscience, fear of death (check check check)
everything went numb when he stumbled upon what he thought
was going to be another means to the end
the silence
the sirens
it all went down like his nightmare the night before
i don't want to hear
i don't want to be near
i do what i got to do just to keep my nose clean

and it's too late to leave this life behind
everybody's speaking using words they can't define
and it's not my choice but i embrace it nonetheless
you brag of your indecency like a monkey beats its chest
you brag of your indecency like a monkey beats its chest

and i don't care who you are or what you've done
everybody equals out when all the songs are sung
we will sing them loud and we will sing them until we pass
you're shattering our innocence like a bullet through a glass
you're shattering our innocence like a bullet through a glass

so hey: i don't care if you go now or if you stay
oh your back is bleeding, you're bleeding on me
that'll be the day when the sun falls down
the angels may weep but i'll hear no sounds but hey

i take that back i won't stop singing when i'm dead
i'll sing from the great beyond, i will echo in your head
and if you think taking your life will set you free
you've got something to learn, it's called humility
you've got something to learn, it's called humility

so hey: i don't care if you go now or if you stay
oh your back is bleeding, you're bleeding on me
that'll be the day when the sun falls down
the angels may weep but i'll hear no sounds but hey

gone! everybody's crying
now you're gone
and everybody's missing you: from apathy to sympathy
this new found love is new to me
and i can hear you laughing in your grave
everyone's forgiven
now we're saved
every single sin absolved
what's the point denying
when we all know we are lying to ourselves (and you can't keep that smile off your face)

hey: i don't care if you go now or if you stay
oh your back is bleeding, you're bleeding on me
that'll be the day when the sun falls down
the angels may weep but i'll hear no sounds but hey

hey: i don't care if you go now or if you stay
oh your back is bleeding, you're bleeding on me
that'll be the day when the sun falls down
the angels may weep but i'll hear no sounds but hey

i've got a gun in my hand but that gun won't cock
my finger's on the trigger but that trigger seems locked
and i can't stop staring at the tick tock clock
and even if i could i would never give up
with a vest on my chest and a bullet in my lung
i can't believe i'm dying with my song unsung
so if and when i die won't you bury me alone?
because i'll never get to heaven if i'm singing this song:

if there was something wrong would you be oh so strong?
would you do what it takes to move this hollow life along?
i'd like to think i would, you know i'd like to think i would
but i guarantee that what you see is not reality
and every time i make a point she makes a counterpoint
she said it's easy but in the end you'll have no choice
and you know that's only just the way it goes
(you said it right man, that is just the way it goes)
and the days, and the days they seem like forever
and the days, and the days they seem like forever
but forever isn't ever enough
i'd like to sing a song (please swear you won't be long)
i'll try not to be long but i don't want to get this story wrong
there was a kid who never cared about the little things
don't even bother because i'm tired and i'm sick of it
and every time she makes a point i'll make a counterpoint
she said it's easy but in the end you'll have no choice
and you know that's only just the way it goes
(you said it right man, that is just the way it goes)

i've got a gun in my hand but that gun won't cock
my finger's on the trigger but that trigger seems locked
and i can't stop staring at the tick tock clock
and even if i could i would never give up
with a vest on my chest and a bullet in my lung
i can't believe i'm dying with my song unsung
so if and when i die won't you bury me alone?
because i'll never get to heaven if i'm singing this song:

oh, you don't know where i've been
oh, you don't know what i've seen

if i did something right
would you give up this fight?
would you say you were wrong and maybe someone else was kind of right
i'd like to think you would
you know i'd like to think you would
but i can't guarantee that what you get is an apology
jump back to the day we met
i never thought that it would end this way
if ever i let you down i want to ask of you
to take it down a notch and we can talk it on through

and the days, and the days they seem like forever
and the days, and the days they seem like forever
but forever isn't ever enough
i'd like to sing a song (please swear you won't be long)
i'll try not to be long but i don't want to get this story wrong
there was a kid who never cared about the little things
don't even bother because i'm tired and i'm sick of it
and every time she makes a point i'll make a counterpoint
she said it's easy but in the end you'll have no choice
and you know that's only just the way it goes
(you said it right man, that is just the way it goes)

i've got a gun in my hand but that gun won't cock
my finger's on the trigger but that trigger seems locked
and i can't stop staring at the tick tock clock
and even if i could i would never give up
with a vest on my chest and a bullet in my lung
i can't believe i'm dying with my song unsung
so if and when i die won't you bury me alone?
because i'll never get to heaven if i'm singing this song:

oh, you don't know where i've been
oh, you don't know what i've seen

so tell me friend: how's it going to end?
when the shit goes down and there's no one left around to get your back
you'll crack
you'll smile and agree with everything they say
they'll try to tell you that it's all okay
but it's not and you're shot and you're bleeding pretty bad
and you can't stop thinking about the things you never had
like a wife and a kid and the things you never did
you're running around
you're living a life that's empty in the end, my friend
oh, you'll take back all you've said
oh, when the regrets fill your head
trust me i've been there before
i would not wish it upon my greatest enemy
what irony
once friends, but i find: you'll have to learn this lesson on your own

so i waited by the phone but that phone never rang
and i sang so loud so i wouldn't hear the bang
when the bang never came and i never got the call: fuck it! thank you! i love you all!
some are going to say that we're doomed to repeat
all our past mistakes
great
but that's not me
and even if it was i would always disagree
because in the end i always get the better of me

i've got a gun in my hand but that gun won't cock
my finger's on the trigger but that trigger seems locked
and i can't stop staring at the tick tock clock
and even if i could i would never give up
with a vest on my chest and a bullet in my lung
i can't believe i'm dying with my song unsung
so if and when i die won't you bury me alone?
because i'll never get to heaven if i'm singing this song:

Oh, I'll take you where I've been
Oh, I'll show you what I've seen

don't you come to me with all your color-coded quotes
everybody's laughing but they never ever get my jokes
fool, you're a tool, a sheep
and it's obvious to everyone but company you keep
and don't you squint at me because your childhood was the pits
every single one of us have trodden through our shit
oh, and i know you're shrewd
because i smell it on your clothes
it's in everything you do

falling, fallen, we all fall down
it only really matters how we stand our ground
and if and when we rise to our feet again
we'll be on our own

everything we built
(it's gone)
and every one around
(is stunned)
we just sit here staring blankly
and everything goes numb
lord, if i felt a thing
i could wrap my mind around this
and prevent our getting singed
please excuse my enemies
i think they do not know
i will gladly self destruct if they leave me alone
friend, that's the end of us
because you're behind in empathy and overdue on trust

calmly, calmly and patiently
we've seen all the evidence
but still cannot believe
and if and when we rise to our feet again
we'll be on our own

somehow, someway, we perservere
the questions on our lips fall on deafened ears
and if and when we rise to our feet again
we'll be on our own

and so she wakes up
in time to break down
she left a note up on the dresser
and she's right on time
you don't know anything
right or wrong
i said i know
and she said so
i want to panic
but i've had it
so i go
you don't owe anything to anyone

but don't take your life
because it's all that you've got
you'd be better off just up and leaving
if you don't think they will stop

and when you wake up
everything is going to be fine
i guarantee that you wake up in a better place
and in a better time
so you're tired of living
and you feel like you might give in
well don't
it's not your time

looking through the paper today
looking for a specific page
don't want to find her full name followed by dates
because when i left her alone
she made a sound, like a moan
"you're known by everyone for everything you've done"
fuck buying flowers for graves
i'd rather buy you a one way non-stop
to anywhere
find anyone
do anything
forget and start again, love
she said she won't go
it hurts too much to stand by
you've got to stop and draw a line
and everyone here has to choose a side tonight
the moment of truth is haunting you
don't forget your family
regardless of what you choose to do
you can't decide
and they're screaming "why won't you?"
i'll start the engine but i can't take this ride for you
i'll draw the bath and i'll load your gun
but i hope so bad that you bathe and hunt

annie's tired of forgetting about today and always planning for tomorrow (tomorrow)
annie says "the saddest day i came acrosss was when i learned that life goes on without me" (without me)
annie says "if everyone has someone else, then i ain't got nobody's love to save me" (save me)
annie says "i think i'll pass away tonight, because it seems i'll never get it right if it's just me" (just me)

and when you wake up
everything is going to be fine
i guarantee that you wake up in a better place
and in a better time
so you're tired of living
and you feel like you might give in
well don't
it's not your time

annie says she wouldn't mind if they never find a cure for all her problems (her problems)
annie says as long as she has someone near to make it clear she does not need to solve them (solve them)
"oh, this loneliness is killing me
it's filling me with anger and resentment (resentment)
i'm turning into someone that i never thought i'd have to be again"

and when you wake up
everything is going to be fine
i guarantee that you wake up in a better place
and in a better time
so you're tired of living
and you feel like you might give in
well don't
it's not your time

annie's tired of forgetting about today and always planning for tomorrow (tomorrow)
annie says "the saddest day i came acrosss was when i learned that life goes on without me" (without me)
annie says "if everyone has someone else, then i ain't got nobody's love to save me" (save me)
annie says "i think i'll pass away tonight, because it seems i'll never get it right if it's just me" (just me)

and when you wake up
everything is going to be fine
i guarantee that you wake up in a better place
and in a better time
so you're tired of living
and you feel like you might give in
well don't
it's not your time

and even if it was
i wouldn't let you go
you could run run run run but i will follow close
someday you will say "that's it, that's all"
but i'll be waiting there with open arms to break your fall
i know that you think that you're on your own
but just know that i'm here
and i'll lead you home
if you let me
she said "forget me"
but i can't

dear mr. gepetto: i hope this finds you well
i wrote you this letter
because we miss you here in hell

well now i know it's hard when you don't know what to think
and every single smile us a foil and you're waking up
you might try but you won't get by until you're crucified for all the things you try to do
well i don't care if you sink or swim
and i don't care how you hold it in
as long as you don't bother me with all the things i don't bother you with
and 9 times out of 10 you might be right
but what about that time you know you're wrong?
you sing that same song
and everybody smiles but they'll never get along

i'm trying and i'm trying and i'm trying and i'm trying to let go:
but everybody's going down tonight

we are the few that won't say nothing right
we are the footsteps fading into the night
nobody cares and nobody stares with such conviction and i say:
i never wanted this, no one ever wanted this
but they gave it to you so you might as well be proud of it
i don't know where we went wrong
all i know is i got to do something right

come clean
no one should have have to live with the things you've seen
but you're living anyway
so can't stop the car and put her in park
and i step outside (god i hate this part)
when i see what i saw what i thought was a life that was more
than a chore and just doing what i need to get by
i don't care if you leave or stay
but you might as well split
because it's not the same as it was
when we said our last goodbye
and if you want the truth: i was hoping one of us would pass away
because it'd be much easier then
we would all get together and think about when
we were young we were dumb we were numb but in love
and i'm done so i'm sending out this letter today

i'm trying and i'm trying and i'm trying and i'm trying to let go:
but everybody's going down tonight

we are the few that won't say nothing right
we are the footsteps fading into the night
nobody cares and nobody stares with such conviction and i say:
i never wanted this, no one ever wanted this
but they gave it to you so you might as well be proud of it
i don't know where we went wrong
all i know is i got to do something right

this has been the best night of my life
this has been the best night of my life
i could have lost my life
and i would have lost my mind
but now i'm fine
and i find
that this has been the best night of my life
this has been the best night of my life(i still can't believe they had the heart to apologize)
this has been the best night of my life(i still can't believe they had the heart to apologize)
i could have lost my life
and i would have lost my mind
but now i'm fine
and i find
that this has been the best night of my life

and as the day fades
no one investigates
nobody answers as she calls his name
another victim, somewhere in a shallow grave
i want to hold her and tell her: it's not your fault

na na na...

and as the day fades
no one investigates
nobody answers as she calls his name
another victim, somewhere in a shallow grave
i want to hold her and tell her: it's not your fault

na na na...
it's not your fault

we are the few that won't say nothing right
we are the footsteps fading into the night
nobody cares and nobody stares with such conviction and i say:
i never wanted this, no one ever wanted this
but they gave it to you so you might as well be proud of it
i don't know where we went wrong
all i know is i got to do something right

i never wanted this, no one ever wanted this
but they gave it to you so you might as well be proud of it
i don't know where we went wrong
all i know is i got to do something right

you say you've got the cure
but i don't have a disease
and you say you've got the answers
but i've made no inquiries
and you're failing
bailing
good god motherfucker now i see you flailing
i see you flailing
that's right i think i do
i see you flailing away

i know it's hard but so are you
and so am i and we'll pull through together, together
and i said that it's been years but i still fear
that someone dear will leave me here forever, forever and i said: hey! you've got to keep trying
you've got to keep holding onto what you've got
because what you've got it sure ain't a lot
and hey!
everyone's falling down
everyone's holding out for what you've got
but what you've got, it sure ain't a lot
and you act like it is but you know that it's not
and even if it was, would you ever give it up?
if i told you what you had was really nothing?
nothing?
nothing!
yes, it's nothing
nothing at all

so you say your life's a bore
and i can't quite disagree
if you judge your life by the pieces of shit that inhabit your tv
because they stand so proud, and they talk too loud
and every other word is a lie
i've found that everyone who is anyone is a waste of time
a waste of time

i know it's hard but so are you
and so am i and we'll pull through together, together
and i said that it's been years but i still fear
that someone dear will leave me here forever, forever and i said: hey! you've got to keep trying
you've got to keep holding onto what you've got
because what you've got it sure ain't a lot
and hey!
everyone's falling down
everyone's holding out for what you've got
but what you've got, it sure ain't a lot
and you act like it is but you know that it's not
and even if it was, would you ever give it up?
if i told you what you had was really nothing?
nothing?
nothing!
yes, it's nothing
nothing at all

nothing
you won't say nothing
you don't say nothing
and that's just fine
nothing
you won't say nothing
you don't say nothing
and that's just fine

sticks and stones may break my bones
but names will never hurt me
and it's been years but still i fear that someday they'll desert me
oh, it's hard, i know
when it's time to stand alone
and no one understands you

sticks and stones may break my bones
but names will never hurt me
and it's been years but still i fear that someday they'll desert me
oh, it's hard, i know
when it's time to stand alone
and no one understands you

sticks and stones may break my bones
but names will never hurt me
and it's been years but still i fear that someday they'll desert me
oh, it's hard, i know
when it's time to stand alone
and no one understands you

how did camus really die that night?
were they right?
when he died was it really his time?
or was it suicide?
and holden caufield is a friend of mine
we go drinking from time to time
and i find: it gets harder every time

back off
but you're out on the street again
don't you stop
did you know you couldn't swim
back off
until you're out on the street again
i'm not going to play if there ain't no way i'll win

hemingway never seemed to mind the banality of a normal life
and i find it: gets harder every time
so he aimed the shotgun into the blue
placed his face in between the two and sighed: here's to life!

back off
but you're out on the street again
don't you stop
did you know you couldn't swim
back off
until you're out on the street again
i'm not going to play if there ain't no way i'll win

hey there salinger, what did you do?
just when the world was looking for you
to write anything that meant anything
you told us you were through
and it's been years since you passed away
but i see no plaque, and i see no grave
and i can't help believing that you wanted it that way
and vincent van gogh, why do you weep?
you were on your way to heaven but the road was steep
and who was there to break your fall?
we're guilty, one and all
and i don't know much, but i do know this: with a golden heart comes a rebel fist
but i can't help agreeing with those that would not quit

and it makes me sick when i think of it
all my heroes could not live with this
and i hope you rest in peace because because with us you never did
and you were much too young
and you changed my life
but i draw the line at suicide
so here's to life!

a moment of silence please for those who never get the chance
they show up to the party but they're never asked to dance
the losers the liars the bastards the thieves
the cynicists, the pessimists and those that don't believe in nothing

i never met a loser that i didn't see eye to eye with, i declare
i stare into your eyes
but you look right past me into the air
what's it like to stand in your shoes?
to have never felt the belt of somebody's abuse?
i take the bottle and i tip it to all my heroes that have passed
alas, you have left us but your stories they will last
uninspired by the recruiting call
independent we stand
indepentend we fall

so tell me: how long do you think you can go before you lose it all?
before they call you bluff and watch you fall?
i don't know but i'd like to think i had control
at some point but i let it go and lost my soul
sit tight but the revolution's years away
i'm losing faith and i'm running low on things to say
so i guess i have no choice but to regurgitate
the tired anthem of a loser and a hypocrite
oh! to have died that night i realized it wouldn't last!
our days were numbered and the reaper tipped the hourglass
the final mayday of our sinking ship had come and passed
oh! to the west, you don't know what it is you're running from
and everybody's laughing loud
your last chance to make your mother and father proud

oh, oh, oh...

a moment of silence please for those who never get the chance
they show up to the party but they're never asked to dance
the losers the liars the bastards the thieves
the cynicists, the pessimists and those that don't believe in nothing

they said "a pox
upon your house
upon your family and everyone you knew
and everyone you'll ever meet"
i bet they think we wish we joined when we could
but we do what we want we don't do what we should
now everybody's laughing because they're thinking they in on something i don't get
don't forget
i connect and i read every word you said
like a child who believes he was wronged
if you hate me so much then stop singing my songs

so tell me: how long do you think you can go before you lose it all?
before they call you bluff and watch you fall?
i don't know but i'd like to think i had control
at some point but i let it go and lost my soul
sit tight but the revolution's years away
i'm losing faith and i'm running low on things to say
so i guess i have no choice but to regurgitate
the tired anthem of a loser and a hypocrite
oh! to have died that night i realized it wouldn't last!
our days were numbered and the reaper tipped the hourglass
the final mayday of our sinking ship had come and passed
oh! to the west, you don't know what it is you're running from
and everybody's laughing loud
your last chance to make your mother and father proud

oh, oh, oh...

i never did lose a battle
but i'm feeling further from the end of war
deplore
ignored
and rarely ever self assured
why does it seem like the ones who have everything have nothing inside?
they have nothing inside

i don't sleep anymore
i gave it up
because what we do is enough
and now they're calling out our bluffs
have you done a single thing for someone else?
or do you take take take until your belly is stuffed?

how long do you think you can go before you lose it all?
before they call you bluff and watch you fall?
i don't know but i'd like to think i had control
at some point but i let it go and lost my soul
sit tight but the revolution's years away
i'm losing faith and i'm running low on things to say
so i guess i have no choice but to regurgitate
the tired anthem of a loser and a hypocrite
oh! to have died that night i realized it wouldn't last!
our days were numbered and the reaper tipped the hourglass
the final mayday of our sinking ship had come and passed
oh! to the west, you don't know what it is you're running from
and everybody's laughing loud
your last chance to make your mother and father proud

it doesn't really matter if you lead or follow
everybody's laughing like there's no tomorrow and even if there was,
would you still go following your friends?
i don't care where we went wrong, we're still singing those same sad tunes
"it's my life, not your life, i'll end it when i want"

and now i'm off to save the world once again
but i don't know how i'll pull it off this time
i think i'm going to drown
now he's off to save the world once again
but he don't know how he'll pull it off this time
i just know i'm going to drown

and it's the saddest song you'll ever hear
the most pain you will ever feel
but you grit your teeth because it don't get better that this (know this)
and you'll try to explain as the blood leave all your veins
and you can't think of anything that you would change

stop!
"look and you will see" is what i think she said to me
i'm not too sure because it could have easily been a million things
but i don't know what she said
i still don't know what she said
years passed since i've seen her face, 14 years were just erased
if my life was your life, would you ever take it back?

and now i'm off to save the world once again
but i don't know how i'll pull it off this time
i think i'm going to drown
now he's off to save the world once again
but he don't know how he'll pull it off this time
i just know i'm going to drown

yeah you will try to explain as the blood leaves all your viens
and you can't think of anything that you would change

and now i'm off to save the world once again
but i don't know how i'll pull it off this time
i think i'm going to drown
now he's off to save the world once again
but he don't know how he'll pull it off this time
i just know i'm going to drown

and it's the saddest song you'll ever hear
the most pain you will ever feel
but you grit your teeth because it don't get better that this (know this)
and you'll try to explain as the blood leave all your veins
and you can't think of anything that you would change

why do we cry when you know how the story ends?
how can you laugh when you know that it hurts your friends?
we've all been there once but you never left
this is me coming back back to get you out
to say goodbye to make amends
i'm not leaving this place
unless i'm leaving with you
you're the only person with a half decent heart here
and i know you will put it to use
until it's gone, gone, gone
gone, gone, gone
gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, yeah

na, na, na...

and you close your eyes for the big sleep
i hope you think of me

na, na, na...

and if you go, i'll be gone
and you'll be left alone to live your life, as you please
but someday you'll agree that i was always meant for you
you were always meant for me and you will see: that you're impossible
you're impossible
you're impossible
you're impossible

me and mr. dylan on the ride home
we had a heart to heart about life
but neither him or me could decide for ourselves if we wanted to outlive that night
like two children on the playground of the unconfessed souls
abandoned by our mothers and our lovers and our foes
if only we were brave enough to live the lives we stole
what a wonderful world this could be!

na, na, na...

and you close your eyes for the big sleep
i hope you think of me

na, na, na...

and if you go, i'll be gone
and you'll be left alone to live your life, as you please
but someday you'll agree that i was always meant for you
you were always meant for me and you will see: that you're impossible
you're impossible
you're impossible
you're impossible

so how many more examples until we break?
how many sacrifices must we make?
because we've all been there once before
and it looks like we've returned once more
is this the beginning or the end?

the last two soldiers on the battlefield
survivors of the war
they aim at one another while their mothers beg the lord
"if you're listening, i'm missing him
so somehow bring him home
how did it come to this?"
so the soldiers lift their rifles
they're aiming at the head
they think of their first love before they take their final breaths
and some where in the distance they hear something someone said: "how did it come to this?"

and as you close your eyes for the big sleep
i hope you think of me, yeah

na, na, na...

and you close your eyes for the big sleep
i hope you think of me

na, na, na...