I've been here a million years - that's just the beginning
There is no phoenix here, and the foreman is grinning
He says, "Mr. Cummings, your writing just couldn't be better."
Look down at my masterpiece, it's in capital letters

My penance is started, I'll never be part of
The party across the abyss
Reach out my hand to that unfounded land and ask
"What did I do to deserve this?"

My friend he looks down in pain, his teeth are on fire again
He's here for a sin he did at the ripe old age of ten
Yes, George took his father's great axe and he chopped down the tree
So some things it seems can't be fixed even by honesty

His penance is started, he'll never be part of
The party across the abyss
Reach out my hand to that unfounded land and ask
"What did he do to deserve this?"

I've been here a million years, won't leave here anytime soon
Joan of Arc, Robespierre, Hoffa, and Copernicus, too
All tried and convicted and sentenced for committing our crimes
And asking our judge what the hell could be worth all this time

Our penance is started, we'll never be part of
The party across the abyss
Reach out my hand to that unfounded land and ask
"What did we do... ?"

Our penance is started...