Ten Foot Pole

I walked in on you
I couldn't believe my eyes
I forgot to knock and I apologize but I can't forget what I saw
I always wondered if you had a darker side you wear a smile but your eyes
are red like you just cried
Now will you explain?
By day you wear your happy face,
everybody thinks you're perfect,
They don't know much about your pain,
Late at night no one can see,
You cut yourself to get back at me,
Late at night I try to understand,
your friends all call you first when every little thing goes wrong,
They know that they can count on you,
But you don't call on them when you need a little help,
You work it out alone,
By day you wear your happy face,
everybody thinks you're perfect,
They don't know much about your pain,
Late at night no one can see,
You cut yourself to get back at me,
Late at night I try to understand,
While I'm wishing on the stars,
you're collecting little scars,
Late at night what did I do wrong that you deserve to bleed?
Tell me just what should I do?
'cause now I know your secret
I won't tell your friends at work
I won't tell your favorite niece
I won't tell your mom and dad
I won't tell anyone why you wear sweaters when it's hot
How will you explain the scars to your kids?
Will you lie to each new person in your life?

When she first apologized, it seemed that no one cared
No one cared about her shame
No one cared about her pain
And she could not accept that no one gave her time
She said, "They will watch me
Yes, by God, I'll make them see."

My God, I can't believe you're gone
It's too late to say "hang on"
Sometimes you just have to wait
This time it's just too late

She keeps apologizing every single night
Every night she wrings her hands
Every night that's where she stands
And I cannot accept that I could have changed her fate
If I only would have known

My friends keep telling me that it will be all right
But they don't know the cost
No, they don't know what I've lost
They keep on talking, but to me there's nothing left
There is nothing you can say

it was the alchohol you said,
took away your common sense,
you dont remember a thing,
unconsiousness is your defense,
its everybodys fault but your,
and now we must forgive,
how can you hold a grudge,
when you cant remember what you did?

but, its not so easy to forgive,
no matter what you said,


its not so easy to forget,
it wont just go away,
it will never be the same,
you'll never drink that much again,
those intentions sound just great,
and im glad to see youve learned,
i think its just a little too late

You heard: it's no use trying to make sense, it doesn't matter anyway
There's no one worth the pain, no reason left to stay
I try to turn it off; where did the old me go?
How did I get so far away? I just don't know

Every act of kindness boils down to lust or greed
No one acts from altruism; it all comes down to need
There's a monster inside my heart
He tries to tear my world apart
There's a demon inside my head
Tells me I'd be better off dead

I try to turn it off, get back to positive
Don't want to drag you down to the street where I live
I try to turn it off, get back to happy days
Pull this barrel from my mouth and look for better ways
Every act...

Everything you never tried
Every time you might have lied
Every flaw you tried to hide
Every drop you ever cried
Every time you've been denied
Every tear that ever dried
Everything builds up inside in waves of regret miles wide

Hey Pete she said it's not too late
I still think that you're just great
You need to wait in the right place
Where you'll meet a girl with good taste

Aw, Ma don't you think I tried?
I think there's something wrong inside
I have no problem making friends
But that's where the story ends

I have no problem hanging out
Then I see a glimpse of doubt
And I don't understand
What makes them not like me?

I'm just trying to be myself
But it's so far from everyone else
And I don't understand what makes them not like me

Hey Pete I see from what you said
That the problem's all in your head
And if you want to make a change
You must let go of being strange

Yeah Mom the problem's in my brain
Sometimes I really think I'm insane
It goes much deeper than the beard
Deep down inside me I'm just weird

I have no problem hanging out
Maybe I'm just weird

You're not weird Pete you're just fine
And I'm proud to say you're mine
Regardless of the strange things you've done
I'm so glad that you're my son

I really think from what you said
That the problem's all in your head
And if you want to make a change
You must let go of being strange

Mommy, what does hyper mean?
Teacher says I'll never read
She says I need to take a pill
So I can learn to sit real still

The microwaves did something to our brains
We need to take these pills to help us change

Please, let me take them; I don't want to be an idiot
Ritalin will make me smart
At least that's what my teacher said
All the other kids take them; I think I am the only one
I need something to slow me down
I talk too much 'cause I am dumb

Mommy, what's a deficit?
I think it means that I can't sit
Disorder of attention
And I don't learn the lesson

Mommy, please, help me see the light
Don't you know my teacher's always right?
Joey's starting on week four
He's not in trouble any more
Susie's ending up week nine
Now she's never out of line

Please, let me take them; I don't want to be an idiot
Now Mommy takes my Ritalin
There's not enough for me, she said
All the other moms take them; I think it's not just mine
I don't know if she's smarter now
But at least she's feeling fine

Please don't chase me anymore
Nearly forgot just what i'm running for
I meant no harm, my gas pedal is to the floor


People watch this on tv
Never thought that this could happen to me
I can't stop now and it still seems like a dream


Never thought I'd hurt someone
Now I see you clutching your gun
You're playing for keeps, there's no place left to run


Chorus:
I had to make a choice I made it
If I had another chance i'd take it
I've got to find a way to make a getaway


Today my future looked so bright
All it took was one red light
The sirens were close behind
My brain said fight or flight


So I ran from my mistake
Not the best choice I could make


The helicopter reminds me that this time there' s no lucky break


Chorus


Please don't chase me anymore
Nearly forgot just what i'm running for
I meant no harm, my gas pedal is to the floor



I always did things my own way
Never cared what the experts say
I thought they were so full of sh*t
I guess it's time to pay


I always dreamed I'd have it all
Never thought I'd take the fall
And now I've run out of chances and all I can see is the wall


Chorus
x2

I find myself entrenched again in things that just don't matter,
So I throw it aside. 'cause I'm not gonna waste my time,
I've spent most of my life punching the clock.
hammering out the details,
I want to get up off this ride,
Once again I ask myself,
Who am I what have I done that I am proud of?
It's time to wake myself up,
Everyday another crises I work to avoid disaster
New deadlines and the urgent phone calls.
In the end what is it worth?
Well I'm not satisfied just hammering out the details
I want to get up off this ride
It's time to claim my life,
Who am I what have I done that I am proud of?
Who am I what have I done?
I'll be gone before you know I want to make a mark before I go
It's up to me to take control

I'm holding on there's not much patience left,
I'm holding on but I won't hold my breath,
I did my part and now it's up to you,
We're hoping this time you come through,
Another half apology we're waiting,
You said "Noworries" then I should have known,
Every time I've heard that phrase I've been let down,
Guess I have no one else to blame but me,
Even when I know it's wrong,
I still want to believe,
Another half apology,
Another broken promise another time you failed us,
One more excuse to buy some time,
Another disappointment another dropped commitment,
You still won't admit you let us down,
Now you're angry that we won't hold on
It's our fault for giving up too soon
You act surprised that we'll no longer wait
Can't you see that it's already too late?,
You let me down

I didn't notice that you cut your hair,
I didn't notice that it was blue,
I didn't notice that you pierced your tongue,
I don't recall the dress you wore the day I met you,
I almost missed your birthday once again,
Your sister called me just in time,
I forgot to wipe my muddy shoes,
You get so pissed when I track around the grime,
This is but a test,
This is just a trial run,
You can still push reset,
Trade me in for a better one,
Sometimes I'm a dick I'm a rabid hockey fan,
All I can promise is I'll do the best I can,
I forgot to pick you up on time,
And I forgot to pay the bills,
I forgot to put the seat back down,
Sometimes my drinking buddies take your favorite pills,
You can't say I don't bring you flowers anymore,
Because I don't bring them any less,
And I don't take you to your favorite store,
'cause I don't have the money to buy your favorite dress,
But I work and I try,
I'm not as big a jerk as every other guy you ever liked,
you ever knew,
Once in a while I go with you to buy new shoes,
But I work and I try,
I'm not quite as big a jerk as every other guy you ever liked,
You ever knew,
Sometimes I break down and take you to the zoo

I can't believe that it's been 2 whole years since I last saw you,
A wedding or a funeral,
I guess that's what it takes,
To pull me from my work,
To wake me from my sleep,
Remind me what's important,
Another year goes by and I don't look the same,
The new gray hairs the smile lines I'm weathered now I can't deny it,
One year goes by I'm old before my time,
but I won't change,
No I won't change inside,
You look the same to me my friend will you tell me how you do it?
How can you block out the pain?
Let it pass right by,
Learn how to accept,
Turn the other cheek,
I never quite learned that trick

As we ride up the mountain
I can hear the young ones brag,
Just how much they drank last night
And all the little girls they've had,

There's nothing that I'd like more
Than to teach humility,
I'll leave these little bastards in the trees, As we fly down the mountain
I can tell it will be close,

The new kids have that hungry look
My knees are feeling old,
I can feel it getting squarely
As I push for a little speed,

I think about my Josephine
And the money that we need,

Last year a friend of mine hit a little tree,
I keep on saying to myself
"It's not gonna happen to me",
Never, he never walked the same again,
How long till my luck runs out?

No fear. no doubts,
I never used to worry about
All the little things that could go wrong,
No fear no pain,
I just have to ignore the brain,
Just go on pretending I have nothing to lose,

The hairpin turn I see my chance
To slide right through the gap,
One mistake we'll all be gone
I never used to think of that, I hit the brakes And pull aside I feel the new kids sneer,
But if they're smart they'll do the same thing In a couple years

Last year a friend of mine hit a little tree,
I keep on saying to myself
"It's not gonna happen to me",
Never, he never walked the same again,
How long till my luck runs out?

No fear. no doubts,
I never used to worry about
All the little things that could go wrong,
No fear no pain,
I just have to ignore the brain,
Just go on pretending I have nothing to...

No fear. no doubts,
I never used to worry about
All the little things that could go wrong,
No fear no pain,
I just have to ignore the brain,
Just go on pretending I have nothing to lose

This morning's light met me in the closet,
Finally found your Fear and Loathing,
I swear I always meant to give it back,
Now I don't know who to give it to,
I close my eyes and I shut my mouth,
Never thought that this could ever happen here,
Got your letter can you see me read it?
Did you find what you were looking for?
I would like to ask you was it worth it?
But you won't, but you can't explain anymore,
We drive along in the lemons of our lives,
They'll pay attention to us,
Gotta stay strong don't let them say we're wrong,
Til we write our final words,
They found your rough draft in the garbage can,
Even your goodbye had every detail planned,
I sent some flowers to your parents house,
Couldn't drag myself to watch them put you down,
I took awalk to where we used to eat,
The memory of your laughter filled my beer,
It's so unreal that I still can't believe,
I still expect that I'll lookup to find you here

Just another night, another bar, another town,
I was talking to myself though the guys were all around,
Then she walked up started dancing on the bar,
I showed her to my car,
All her high school friends started coming toour shows,
I admit they caught my eye and my wallet and my nose,
But no one comes close to the girl that I loved first,
Maybe I'm just cursed,
Officer I swear she said she's 19,
Didn't check her ID,
You know that you would do the same,
Finally a girl who looks up to me,
She can't see through me,
She can't see anything I don't want her to see,
We always manage to agree,
Finally I saw the light we didn't have to wait,
Come on darling pack your bags we'll move to another state,
New Mexico says you can marry at 16,
Now I got my mini-queen,
In New Mexico life is dry there's not much grass,
and my little cutie earns our rent she's pumpinggas,
This morning she met the cutest girl at a bar,
Guess we have to move to Utah

Dad can you turn the TV down?
This won't take long,
I've got something to say,
don't pour a drink you've had enough,
and when I'm done I'll get out of your way,
It's time to talk about it,
We've been living in denial,
It's time to have it out,
Still knee deep in shit,
I guess I should get over it,
It seems that nothing will hide the scar,
I thought I didn't care to know that you were never there,
I guess I always felt you were so far,
I worked so hard to win your trust to earn respect,
To get you to notice me,
I won the game I won the race,
I had to be the best a room full of hollow trophies,
I guess I did it for you,
I don't think you ever noticed,
I did it all for you,
Both feet on the ground,
I wish you would calm down,
I wish you would remember just who you really are,
and I cannot forget you left me all alone,
Never bothered to pick up the phone,
I guess I'll hit the bar,
There's nothing you can say to make it go away,
There's nothing you can do I don't rely on you,
I thought that we could talk I thought I could forgive,
I thought that we could mend the fences

she was working all her life for justice in this world but every time she made some gains someone would kick her down again then damage takes its toll the rising the falling the rising the falling can you get back up again? it's easier to tear apart than build damage has momentum of its own it takes less time to break things down than to wait around until they're grown she was looking all her life for a mate that understood but every time she gave her heart she ended up scarred and alone then damage takes its toll the rising the falling the rising the falling can you get back up again? it's easier to tear apart than build damage has momentum of its own it takes less time to break things down than to wait around until they're grown

alarm clock wakes me from my nightmare, i smash it i don't have to work today, hi standard pumping on the cd, i can't help but smile when they play, for me that's every day, got no worries what's the hurry? i won't complain today, at least not right this minute, ben and jerry lounging pool side, they've got just what it takes to keep me sane, freeze the brain, man's best friend here right beside me, he always nods and barks while i complain, he doesn't judge my pain, clouds are lurking in the distance, i know that it can't stay this way, my boss is calling, the dog is shitting in the pool, i know that it won't last, i know that it can't last, but even if for just 5 minutes the whole world seems ok, then I won't complain today

Father please take me back,
I don't fit in with these cruel earthlings,
I've done my time please take me home,
I was five, I was bad,
You sent me here erased my memory,
Babysitter washed my mouth with soap,
I was ten,
Had no friends,
The teacher hit me with a paddle,
The neighbors ate my little dog Ralph,
Father please take me back I don't fit in with these cruel earthlings
I've done my time please take me home
Please fly your spaceship out and beam me up
Don't leave me down here I'll be so good from now,
I had a girl,
She took her clothes off with my best friend,
I didn't know till they told me on TV,
I was mad,
My brother shot my favorite bird,
Everywhere I go they laugh at me

I was the kid with the backpack full of revolution
Listing the crimes like genocide, slavery and
mass polution
With footnotes and documentation
So I could argue with confidence at hockey rinks
and bars
Alone against the relentless machine in mercy
I put myself to sleep
Yeah I'm ashamed, I put myself to sleep

Wanna change the world WAKE UP
Wanna make a difference WAKE UP
Wanna save the world
Wanna change the human natured
Wake up and smell the facism

What with it take to wake you from contented slumber?
Will you notice a jet crashing through your building?
Did you notice so many hate us?
Do you doubt they have just cause?
Do you see lies falling from mouths of politicians
like turds filling a litterbox, they scratch
but each new movement pushes up an old lie

One world, one voice, one currency,
One dream, one cause, one emperor,
One boss, one king, one dictator
Can you sleep through this?
Why do you think all empires fall?

Happy cheese comes from happy cows
They're so udderly happy, just f'en ask them.