I am not here

I am not here

I am over there

right where you can't see me

your eyes are unaware

I am hiding out

to protect myself within

and, somehow, if I fail

I'll go over there again

listen to you

take off your headphones

and listen to me

we've got some problems

I'm sure you disagree

but I've read the research

and I know the score

everything tells me

there must be something more

          what can I do

          open up my mind

          and listen to you

I see you

some of us are touched by fate

at a very early age

to paint the paintings

write the poems

bring meaning to the page

I may not have the talent

that other people do

but I know the beauty of hard work

and inside it I see you

          I see you

          with the chisel and the brush

          I see you

          and a love no one can touch

          when the night surrounds you

          but you still make it through

          it's true

          I see you

talking to strangers

I have spent my life

talking to strangers 

at bus stops and street lights

grocery stores and bars

some people have told me

that I am in danger

of making conversation

wherever they are

I'm a shy person

I don't have many friends

so I talk to people

I never will know

about weather and traffic

and we always pretend

everything is all right

in this world that we know

they make me feel good

these friendly encounters

like we're all related

because we're all human beings

where you're completely alone

it seems like a downer

a future alone

is not something I'm believing

so I will go on

talking to strangers

enjoying the moments

wherever I roam

hearing the voices

of the ones who won't stay here

wherever I am

I still feel at home

starlight in her eyes

mama, watch out for your daughter

she's got starlight in her eyes

she's saving for a one-way ticket

God only knows what she'll find

daughter wants to be a big star

like the ones she sees on TV

she doesn't need this small town

the future's there for her to see

big prize winner

wake up in the morning

meet the brand new day

you're the big prize winner

here's your Chevrolet

your trip to the Bahamas

your brand new kitchen set

you were on TV

how could you forget?

you were on that game show

that airs in channel four

you had mostly the right answers

judges keeping score

and still today you triumphed

your winning's just begun

host, please inform the player

of all that he has won

a year's supply of oatmeal

three nights at the Ritz

dinner in Manhattan

all the news that fits

passes to the movies

the popcorn's all for free

and you will remember

for all eternity

wake up in the morning

today's a different day

you're the big prize winner

life has finally gone your way

life is so material

and winning's such a thrill

you're the big prize winner

do with it what you will

northern star

why do I 

continue to do

what I do

everyday

you'd think by now

I'd have learned

but logic turned

and I looked away

now I'm shattered

and nothing matters

except saving my life

I'm looking for something

but I expect nothing

that will turn out right

          but then I remember you

          and I know I'll make it through

          you are my northern star