Have I thanked you for your time?
 Or will your life go unrewarded
 Again?
 Never asking for a dime
 You just gave all of yourself
 Until I turned my back on you
 My friend

 The powers that be made you a martyr
 Conspiracy led you to slaughter
 I tried to control it but as soon as I showed it
 I was shot down again

 Once again outnumbered
 Appreciation slumbered
 You can ask yourself why
 But that look in your eye
 Doesn't pass the test
 You've been laid to rest my friend
 Again

 Tortured artist bears his soul
 Seems the pressure took its toll
 Lived a life so punishing
 Now he keeps the publishing

 Spilling your guts out to a pad and pen
 Communication to your silent friend

 Raising the knife
 To a picture of a life
 (I once knew)
 There comes a time
 Compromising my life
 (Just won't do)
 I cannot lie
 I can't try anymore
 (To reach you)
 I just can't fight
 Raise the knife
 Raise the knife
 Cut through

 I remember once you were the quiet type
 Content to sit and watch the motions of your life
 With false sensitivity
 You cut yourself open so people would adore you

 They all bought into your contrived sincerity
 Laughing sarcastically
 You turned your back on the people who adored you

 Self-absorbed exhaustion
 Self-esteem distortion
 Self-infused extortion
 Self-serving abortion

 I'll take the blame for these things that I say
 'Cause I had the heart and the will and the courage to stay
 Every day
 I won't walk away

 Reading through all the digests you show me
 I notice the way that you think you control me
 Doubting my future, you don't even know me
 But I never walked out on you

 Raising the knife
 To a picture of a life
 (I once knew)
 There comes a time
 Compromising my life
 (Just won't do)
 I cannot lie
 I can't try anymore
 (To reach you)
 I just can't fight
 Raise the knife
 Raise the knife
 Cut through

 Raising the knife
 To a picture of a life
 (I once knew)
 There comes a time
 Compromising my life
 (Just won't do)
 I cannot lie
 I can't try anymore
 (To reach you)
 I just can't fight
 Raise the knife
 And live my life
 Without you

 Raising the knife
 To a picture of a life
 There comes a time
 Compromising my life
 I cannot lie
 I can't try anymore
 I just can't fight
 Raise the knife