your oldest and your dearest
are the last ones to believe
that you'll ever reach transcendence
before you march into your grave
the problem's not what's wasted
it's all the love you saved
while you were living
shoulda given
never gave

or maybe you were a monarch
in the 16th century
in which case the life self-righteous
is your feudal destiny
that is, until they all revolt
and take your throne away
count the hours
'til your powers
dissipate

but then you tell me we are birds
that we are being groomed for better things
no more of standing around
you tell me we are birds
that we are all just waiting for our wings
until we get our feet off the ground
to see
a better way to be
than living week to week
-tell me we are birds and I'll believe

and we'll say O
look at me go
O
do you know? no, no.

O, but look at me go
and we'll know
yes, we'll go far
once we see what we are

all the subway people
are waiting for the sound
they've been waiting many years
for a change to come around
so give me this my stock report
and mock me if you may
as you plunder
ever-younger men
everyday

CH (repeat)

don't suppose you used to think
of better ways to be
don't suppose you used to conjure magic
and believe
I used that trick too many times
I fear I've been deceived
but tell me we are birds
and I'll believe