life on the sidewalk

life on the sidewalk

walking every day

where I am going

doesn't matter to me

I just keep on walking

going my own way

there's so many places

I have yet to see

life on the sidewalk

rain or shine

something happens

when I'm out here

almost every day

I take the time

sometimes it's cloudy

sometimes it's clear

          one foot in front of the other

          holes in both my shoes

          look and you will discover

          there's so much you can do

life on the sidewalk

listen to birds

warble and whistle

it floats through the air

can you be peaceful

not one bit disturbed

stroll through the afternoon

walk like you don't have a care

life on the sidewalk

heading for home

look at the squirrels

like they are your friends

walking in silence

kicking a stone

you know that tomorrow

you'll be out here again

barbed wire heart

I've got a barbed wire heart

and I won't let you in

I'm careful with my feelings

and I don't know where you've been

I'm trying to protect myself

the only way I know how

by staying away from you

that's all that I will allow

this way I am safe

and I don't have to depart

I've got a barbed wire heart

I've been hurt too many times

I won't go through that again

I need some company

I know I can't win

'cause I've had people desert me

my hope's begun to rust

I don't know a single soul

that I can even trust

I will leave as fast as I can

and I'll take a running start

I've got a barbed wire heart

          don't try to be close to me

          I don't need anyone around

          I will see what's not to be

          I will let you down

I've got a barbed wire heart

and it's all filled up with doubt

I will go to any length

to keep everybody out

I don't need any trouble

my heart's on high alert

I'll do anything possible

to avoid the hurt

I have learned from my past

that love just isn't smart

I've got a barbed wire heart

I've got a barbed wire heart

I used to be fearless

life was nothing but a promise

and I meant to keep it

I didn't know about honest

and I still don't believe it

but I found out

what it was all about

and now I'm shaking

alone and tough

I've seen enough

I was mistaken

          I used to be fearless

          I used to be the one who had a dream

          I tried to be near this

          now nothing is the way it seems

          now all I see

          are sides of me

          that I can't comprehend

          I've been burned

          so I have to learn

          over and over and over again

          I used to be fearless

          I used to be fearless

I thought life would have some meaning

turns out I was wrong

I didn't know which way I was leaning

I was confused all along

and now I'm here

hiding my tears

maybe you can help me through

as I grow older

the world becomes colder

give me an idea of what to do

          I used to be fearless

          I used to be the one who had a dream

          I tried to be near this

          now nothing is the way it seems

          now all I see

          are sides of me

          that I can't comprehend

          I've been burned

          so I have to learn

          over and over and over again

          I used to be fearless

          I used to be fearless

     

the more I learn

the more I learn

the less I know

information's rising

and I can't keep up

my mind can't contain

all that it owns

so I'm bowing out

I've had enough

I've got so much knowledge

I can barely move

I can hardly speak

much less improve

it's all filled up

where my mind's concerned

the less I know

the more I learn

where I'm going

what I need

is all the knowledge

I've acquired

but I'm adjusting

to this life

but I am

all sorts of tired

where are the questions

I used to ask

where are the tools

to complete this task

where the hell

am I supposed to go

the more I learn

the less I know

give me a chance

to be a blank slate

all I want

is to continue to learn

my mind is lazy

but with a little help

my mind will have

wisdom to burn

all things considered

I may not be smart

but you can still teach me

I'm ready to start

I still believe

that I can grow

the more I learn

the less I know

you think you don't deserve love

you think you don't deserve love

but you're wrong

love could have been your close companion

all along

all your life you've learned the lesson

that love was not made for you

all that pain you're now addressing

only proves it isn't true

now what are you going to do

you think love doesn't exist

but you're mistaken

you've lived without it for so long

now your heart is aching

all your life you've made decisions

to be completely alone

now you're facing a collision

you're in the danger zone

searching for a way back home

but when you discover that there is love

there's no going back

you peek behind corners and open up doors

still there's something you lack

but sooner or later you'll find it

now that you've found a place to start

you might try to never-mind it

but it's got a place inside your heart

you think you don't deserve love

but you're wrong

brand new history

I'm looking for 

a brand new history

I know one exists 

inside of me

a happy childhood

with lots of joy

a job I like

where I'm employed

a wife and kids

a life of ease

where I did

what I pleased

there's a lot of world to see

when you've got a brand new history

I'm looking for 

another past

where pleasure exists 

and bad news doesn't last

where nobody cheats

or bullies you

and no one tells you

what to do

and no one hits you

of their own free will

and problems remain

standing still

and good times will always be

inside my brand new history

           time is a concept

           that doesn't do any good

           where life never goes

           the way it should

I am looking for reasons

to change the way I am

some say it's not possible

but I don't give a damn

I just want to start over

this life that I live

with chances to take

and people who forgive

I just want to start over

I'll say it again

I know it won't happen

but I'm still asking when

can a person like me be free

I need a brand new history

why does it have to be so hard

why does it have to be hard

can't you just do something

instead of thinking it will scar you

for a long, long time

why does it have to be so bad

you're going to do it anyway

you don't have to be so sad

work is not a crime

why does it always have to suck

this thing that we call living

can't you just not give a fuck

and do what needs to be done

why must you always complain

about what life hands you

you've got a problem with your brain

it's stuck on the setting sun

why does it have to be so hard

can't you just accept it

work on your own back yard

I will help you through it

you will make it through somehow

I promise that you will

I guarantee the time is now

I know that you can do it

always waiting

I am always waiting

for time to pass

as if I have it to throw away

I tell myself to hurry

so the minutes won't last

but time has nothing to say

except you don't really know

what time is all about

the only thing I know 

is that it's running out

I am always waiting

for night to fall

so I can go to sleep

lie in my warm bed

where I can crawl

and dreams are mine to keep

except I'm awake

my mind will not rest

these nighttime thoughts try hard

but they are not my best

I am always waiting

for the world to turn

time is racing fast

I look forward

to my future

but I see it becoming the past

except I'm alive

right here, right now

I want to live in the present

but I don't know how

I am always waiting

for time to pass

as if I have it to throw away

just in time

you found me just in time

I didn't know what I was going to do

until I took a look at you

and then everything was fine

you found me when I was lost

abandoned and alone

you showed me the way home

you didn't make me pay a cost

you showed me what's mine

just in time

you found me where I stood

I didn't have to look around

to see the beauty that I've found

it felt exactly like it should

I found I was a lucky man

standing there in front of me

for my tired eyes to see

you let me have a valentine

just in time

all I need

all I need is a cup of strong coffee

to wake me up

all I need is myself to rely on

but that's not enough

all I need is a reason for living

a planted seed

to grow deep inside me

that's all I need

all I need is some kind of a future

to look forward to

all I need is my headstrong dreams

to pull me through

all I need is a pull-off band aid

in case I bleed

something to help me heal

is all I need

          don't worry about me

          I will be okay

          I need to have a plan in mind

          to make it through the day

all I need is some contact

with another human being

all I need is a way to run

far from the past I'm fleeing

all I need is to be in motion

a windblown tumbleweed

on the wild and open plains

that's all I need

all I need is some belief

that all will turn out right

all I need is a little hope

to guide me in the night

all I need is a helping hand

and then I will succeed

in this life I'm living

that's all I need

wait for your turn

sometimes

when you wait for your turn

your turn never comes

that's when

you need to reach out and take it

no matter where you're coming from

because life is only fair

when you're blissfully unaware

of everybody else

if you're waiting for your turn

someday you will learn

that only you can take care of yourself

luck

that's what some people have

but that's something

on which you can't depend

work

you do it over and over

with no results when it ends

life is never fair

and it vanishes in mid-air

when you want something too much

all those hopes and dreams

are not what they seem

they can't compete with a human touch

tomorrow

is just like the day before

everything turns out the same

time doesn't move

as swift as it ought to

when you don't know who's to blame

maybe nothing will change

or it will be rearranged

either way, you're on the losing side

now youve given up

you've had enough

now you're all tangled up inside

I wish

I had a happy ending to tell you

but I don't know if it exists

all my life

I've been afraid of living

but now it's time to take the risk

everything I could

there are secrets pouring out of my head

there are promises of words left unsaid

your rejection made me feel I was dead

I was dead

when you're shattered, it's like the world will end

all this time I thought you were my friend

I don't think that I can do this again

do this again

          well, what am I going to do

          I've done everything I could to forget you

          I did what I felt I should

          I did everything I could

I used to be someone I thought you could trust

now everything we had just vanished into dust

you do what you can, I do what I must

what I must

I was forgotten, I was cast aside by you

I cried like a child, I didn't know what to do

but I'm stronger now, I know I'll make it through

make it through

          well, what am I going to do

          I've done everything I could to forget you

          I did what I felt I should

          I did everything I could

maybe in the future, we'll meet again in time

and I'll take back the love I gave, I'm keeping it as mine

but for now you've accomplished the perfect crime

the perfect crime

so I will say goodbye and pretend that I don't see 

the emotional bruises that you left on me

if you won't be beside me, will you please let me be

just let me be

          well, what am I going to do

          I've done everything I could to forget you

          I did what I felt I should

          I did everything I could

I need to find somebody

I need to find somebody

somebody who will be my friend

I don't need anybody

who will desert me again

I want someone to laugh with

to tell stories to

I want someone

exactly like you

not like my old used-to-be's

I need to find somebody

who'll accept me

if you could be somebody

could you be someone I desire

someone who could light my flame

and keep watch of the fire

I will try to be the one

who keeps your heart open

everyday I try

everyday I keep hoping

I'm wanting a brand new history

I need to find somebody

who won't ignore me

if I could be somebody

I would be the one you need

I would try to be my best to

tend your heart and plant the seed

and if you accept me

my heart would skip a beat

I would give you love so sure

it won't be incomplete

it would be ours to see

I need to find somebody

who will love me

I am not lost

I'd like to say I am not lost

but I know it isn't true

I'm stranded alone in the darkness

and I don't know what to do

I've spent my life in transit

and you know I've paid the cost

but everybody, repeat after me

I am not lost

I must keep up my appearance

that everything's just fine

but there's a storm  a-brewing

inside of my own mind

I try hard to do my best

I've got my fingers crossed

I repeat, over and over,

I am not lost

          but I am

          lost and out of place

          maybe you can

          get me out from this race

everything is perfect

there are no problems here

hope is there inside of me

until it disappears

I tell myself it's my own life

of whom I am the boss

this is what I tell myself

I am not lost

maybe there'll be a future

and I'll find out where I am

I'm looking for a reason

one that I can understand

I need a way to hold on

as in this world I'm tossed

but if I asked, I'll say

I am not lost

I've been looking all day

I am not lost

I miss the mystery

I miss the mystery of life

I miss the days full of wonder

that I had as a child

I miss the mystery of life

all those days of sunlight

where promises ran wild

the world had lots of questions

for an amatuer like me

my heart and mind and body

were natural at being free

there was so much to see

I miss the mystery

I miss being curious

I miss not knowing the answers

I was alive to learn

it makes me furious

the fact that I have grown into

waiting for my turn

I remember caterpillars

before they turned into butterflies

I remember the whitest snow

falling soft before my eyes

on top of great pine trees

I miss the mystery

          I remember golden days

          and star-filled summer nights

          dogs and cats and other people

          there before my sight

I miss being who I was

when I didn't know anything

but I wanted to find out

I ached to learn because

everything was a question

I didn't know what it was about

now the answer's at my fingertips

at the end of my hands

I now can know everything

but I'll never understand

the world and what it means to me

I miss the mystery

I am sleeping

I am sleeping

and I don't want to be reawakened

I am keeping

track of everything that's been forsaken

I will do what I want to do

without any opinions

what I can be is up to me

I am my own dominion

what can you say

to make me change my mind

I don't know but I'm sure

I will forget it in time

because I am sleeping

and I am lost in dreams

yes, I am sleeping

and nothing is the way it seems

waiting for you

I am lost

and I'm looking for you

are you there

in the world I once knew

will you stay

I've got nothing but questions

can you tell

I forgot to mention

that I am waiting 

for you

will you accept

my proposition

you're who I want

you're the definition

of who to love

I'm seeing all the reasons

the ebb and flow

of all four seasons

where I'll be waiting

for you

I can't wait

for you to be near me

I'm talking softly

but you can hear me

I'm not trying

to second guess

but I would be thrilled

if you say yes

I am here waiting

for you

this sleepless night

sleep well

good night

time to turn off the lights

and fall asleep

as best you can

even though it's hard

no falling stars

no sign of ghosts

trouble brewing coast to coast

it's too damn hard to understand

the sounds in your backyard

lie awake

dead of night

eyes not adjusted to lack of light

static buzzing

in your brain

there is no getting up

no one beside you

the night is hot

you're approaching restlessness

until you're not

you lie there in a pool of sweat

until you've had enough

          good morning

          it's now 3 a,m,

          not as good

          as it was back then

          when breezes blew outside

          this sleepless night

          is your time to hide

get up

out of bed

hours till the day ahead

nothing to do in this darkened scene

except turn on the TV

turn off your thoughts

watch reruns

the following day

has now begun

might as well stay up now

sleep is a mystery

          good morning

          it's now 3 a,m,

          not as good

          as it was back then

          when breezes blew outside

          this sleepless night

          is your time to hide

but I'll get it done

I've got a million chores to do

but I don't want to do them

everybody says my work ain't through

but I'm saying "screw them"

I do what I want

in my own time

the choices I make

are completely mine

I know my race is not run

but I'll get it done

I know that I've made mistakes

but I'm making up for lost time

I stand by every choice I make

and I'm making up my mind

to do the things

I need to do

bet I get finished

before you

I may be fighting for number one

but I'll get it done

          everything I ever do

          remains in my subconscious

          if it all ends before I'm through

          the speed will make me nauseous

if I don't finish up my work

it won't matter anyhow

I may seem like a jerk

but the precious time is now

I will work

I will succeed

a tiny success

is all I need

my future has not yet begun

but I'll get it done

      

might as well be winter

it's getting out outside

but it's okay

this is just spring's impression

of a normal summer day

sun high in the sky

skies are clear and blue

the only item missing now

is the one containing you

          I know the weather's beautiful

          and fine as it can be

          but it might as well be winter

          when you're not here with me

every bird is singing

like they're glad to be alive

the afternoon is golden

I can't believe my eyes

children are laughing free

grown-ups are mowing lawns

me, I'm drinking iced tea

I wish this day would move along

          I wish this incredible day

          would somehow set me free

          because it might as well be winter

          when you're not here with me

I just wanna be you

I've got too much static inside my brain

I know that it's no use to always complain

but I've got troubles within my head

and it makes me wish I was you instead

oh, oh, oh, what am I gonna do

I just wanna be you

everything I do makes me wanna scream

there must be some way out of this bad dream

if I was you I wouldn't be depressed

I would be the man to whom you say "yes"

oh, oh, oh, I wanna be brand new

I just wanna be you

          I look in the mirror

          you know who I don't find

          someone who's exactly you

          to give me peace of mind

maybe tomorrow I'll scream and shout

and plot and plan my own way out

but until then, right here I'll stay

until I get out of my own way

oh, oh, oh, I don't have a clue

I just wanna be you

breaking windows

I have nothing to do

so I'll find some trouble to get into

I'm feeling bad

and it's not pretty

time to spray paint

my graffiti

in my own mind

I'm a success

breaking windows

is what I do best

breaking windows

is lots of fun

the chances are

a million to one

that I'll get caught

and locked in jail

I know my brilliance 

will prevail

in my own mind

a legend I am

breaking windows

all over this land

I will improve

the local view

by painting my initials

wherever I choose

and causing trouble

and raising cain

I will destroy

and be the one to blame

in my own mind

I'm number one

breaking windows

has begun

when I find my place

all my life I've waited

all my life I've searched

I've wondered and I've wandered

since the moment of my birth

but it always comes up empty

filled with tears I've cried

but if I am on life's journey

I may as well enjoy the ride

tell me that I'm wanted

tell me I exist

I may not be courageous

but I will take the risk

if it means I'll have tomorrow

the future comes so fast

still, it means something to me

if I outrun the past

          put me at the starting line

          shoot the gun and let me race

          I know I will do just fine

          when I find my place

I will take my chances

I'm aching to begin

I need to be out there trying

makes no difference if I win

maybe I'll find my answers

maybe problems will be solved

all I ask of anyone

is that I will be involved

          put me at the starting line

          shoot the gun and let me race

          I know I will do just fine

          when I find my place

over and over again (rewrite 1)

I do the best I can

I know some people 

won't understand

but I try hard

every time

I have to work

to get what's mine

but I will succeed

I will win

because I'll start

over and over again

my heart has been broke

I know some people

think it's a joke

but it's a fact

I feel so sad

but tomorrow I

won't feel so bad

because I'm strong

and I've always been

because I'll start

over and over again

          I may try and I may fail

          but I will let the truth prevail

everything I've ever done

on my way

to the setting sun

every mistake

every traffic jam

all adds up

to who I am

I'll get there

but I don't know when

because I'll start

over and over again

fragile

how did you get so fragile

why do you think that you will break

if you say anything out loud

if you make a mistake

why do you walk on eggshells

when there's no one else around

always standing on the outside

where you'll feel safe and sound

do you ever lift your hands to the sky

without being afraid

do you ever ignore the voices

of the mistakes you've made

you know you don't have to listen

silence is good sometimes

it can help you grow stronger

it can ease your troubled mind

when you wake up in the morning

do you meet the day ahead

by analyzing every movement

you are filled with dread

but everything is up to you

in everything you see

if you work hard enough

you can set yourself free

don't be afraid of life

it's time you pulled yourself through

you are not made of antique glass

there's courage inside you

deep within your nervousness

there's someone else inside

you don't have to ask forgiveness

you don't have to run and hide

how did you get so fragile

why do you think you will break

one day

I want just one day

where I can do nothing

and not feel bad about it.

one day where I can do whatever I want

and there is no guilt involved.

one day where I can 

lift my arms to the heavens

and not think about the future.

and I know

that day is coming.

all I have to do

is work

and wait and accept it

when it comes.

over and over again

I do the best I can

I know some people 

don't understand

but I try hard

every time

I have to earn

to get what's mine

but I will succeed

I will win

because I'll start

over and over again

my heart has been broke

I know some people

think it's a joke

they laugh

they make fun of me

they think they

have the run of me

but they're wrong

and they've always been

because I'll work

over and over again

          I may try and I may fail

          but I will let the truth prevail

everything I've ever done

on my way

to the setting sun

every mistake

every traffic jam

all adds up

to who I am

I've had to be

my own best friend

because I'll try

over and over again

this is why you left home (rewrite 1)

over back fences

neighbors are talking

and they're discussing you

spreading rumors

and chicken squawking

none of it is true

but that's entertainment

in this little town

judging somebody

and knocking them down

and it's your turn

this time around

it's everything you've known

this is why you left home

on the internet

computer screen

old friends are guessing

where you're going

where you've been

you find it so depressing

but that's what it was like

where you grew up

it made you wonder

it made you tough

but now you're just tired

enough is enough

sadly, the seeds are sown

this is why you left home

wake up in a new town

smile a new smile

this is where you live

so many memories

since you were a child

so much to forgive

tuning out people

who make you upset

who dismiss your future

and feed your regrets

you often remember

but try to forget

the ones who turned to stone

this is why you left home

looking for a morning

I am looking for a morning

where I can sit and drink coffee

and look outside my window

and see the passers-by

and imagine what they're thinking

while the coffee I am drinking

cools down until I microwave it

time passes quickly these days

it rolls and runs down the hill

sometimes

in my imagination

I run with it

this is why you left home

over the back fence

neighbors are talking

and they're discussing you

spreading rumors

and chicken squawking

none of it is true

but that's entertainment

in this small town

taking someone

and keeping them down

and it's your turn

this time around

it's everything you've known

this is why you left home

on the internet

computer screen

old friends are guessing

where you're going

where you've been

you find it so depressing

but that's what counts as fun

where you grew up

it made you wonder

it made you tough

but now you're just tired

enough is enough

sadly, the seeds are sown

this is why you left home

wake up in a new town

smile a new smile

this is where you live

so many memories

since you were a child

so much to forgive

running from people

who make you upset

who discount your future

and feed your regrets

you often remember

but try to forget

the ones you turned to stone

this is why you left home

for G.L.

sing of railroads going through mountains

a hard road leading to a treasure chest

so many stars that you can't count them

now it's time to take your rest

sing of tortured love affairs

women wearing summer clothes

lyrics where nobody cares

and of devotion, I suppose

foolishly I keep hoping

here's a fact about my life

I don't expect anything anymore

I don't pretend it'll be all right 

the way I used to before

now I accept bad news

like it was meant to be

headlines on my cell phone

are all I need to see

still I wake each morning

wanting to be free

foolishly I keep hoping

what I'm missing in my life

is a future to look forward to

I know the ending is in sight

but I can't believe that's true

it's just an illusion

that life works out for me

a man with no ambition

is what I need to be

but still I wake each morning

to see what I can see

foolishly I keep hoping

 I don't want to give up this life

but I know I have no choice

all I hear is the black of night

echoed in my own voice

I've heard the darkest hour

is right before dawn

that's where I find a home

to set my dreams upon

but still i wake each morning

and I keep on keeping on

foolishly I keep hoping

foolishly I keep hoping