Neal Morse

I used to be a poor man
but now I'm really broke
Used to be a lemon
now I'm an artichoke
I used to be resourceful
Used to really care
I used to be on the fast track
now I'm goin' nowhere

'Cause I'm a loser, I'm a failure
I've sunk lower than a thief
I'm a dark cloud passing over
I guess you just don't care about breakin' laws
when you're a lost cause

I used to be a stranger
but now I'm really strange
They won't get me now or later
'cause I'm outta their range
I'm sick, I got a fever
or maybe I'm just sick
Go ahead and cut me
but just make it quick

'Cause I'm a loser, I'm a failure
I've sunk lower than a thief
If you got one passing over
Then I don't ever hear too much applause
'Cause I'm a lost cause

Mirror mirror inside my mind
Blow these bad thoughts away
I sure would like to feel mostly blind today
Hey hey hey hey
Hey hey hey hey

I used to be a poor man
but now I'm really broke
I used to be the punchline
now I'm everyone's joke
The truth is I've outcasted myself all along
But that's all right at least I get to sing this song

I'm a loser, I'm a failure
I've sunk lower than a thief
I'm a dark cloud passing over
I'm a lost cause, I'm a failure
I've sunk lower than a thief
I'm a dark cloud passing over
I'm a lost cause
I'm a lost cause
I'm a lost cause
I'm a lost cause
I'm a lost cause
I'm a lost cause

All the world's a stage
and all can play their part
Words to live by, that's what she said
Things were good then
She was like money in the bank
That's exactly the words that she used

And she was talented
Dying for her art
She was a number two
who never got the part
And now everything
Everything is wrong
Everything is wrong

He painted for years
and then he painted her
World alive, colors living
And when she left
he snuck over and painted her apartment
The morning light is so unforgiving

And he was the next Van Gogh
cutting of his ear
He wanted to show up
but could only disappear
And now everything
Everything is wrong
Everything is wrong

And he was the next Van Gogh
cutting of his ear
He wanted to show up
but could only disappear
And now everything
Everything is wrong
Oh yeah, everything
Everything is wrong
Oh yes, everything
Everything is wrong
Everything is wrong

There is this girl I know
She hates my guts I love her so
But I've got a simple mind
It thinks just this: she will be mine
I tell her "I like your dress"
She says I'm sick, disturbed, obsessed
Well I don't know what that's about
She won't say why she won't go out with me

She keeps tellin' me she doesn't need a reason
And all my friends think that I'm bein' outclassed
But I just got to be her first or at least her last
And I'm getting nowhere fast
I'm getting nowhere fast
I'm getting nowhere fast

I had a shirt designed, it has her face pressed into mine
I never wear it, I keep it new
She says she'll kill me if I do
I'm puzzled and perplexed, I'm overwhelmed and under-sexed
And I still can't figure why she says she'd rather die than be with me

She keeps tellin' me she doesn't need reasons
And all my friends think that I'm bein' outclassed
But I just got to be her first or at least her last
And I'm getting nowhere fast
I'm getting nowhere fast
I'm getting nowhere fast

She'd like to see me drown in my own tears
Well that's all right
Even if it takes a hundred years
Well that's all right
Yeah that's all right

She keeps tellin' me she doesn't need reasons
And all my friends think that I'm bein' outclassed
But I just got to be her first or at least her last
And I'm getting nowhere fast
I'm getting nowhere fast
I'm getting nowhere fast
I'm getting nowhere fast
I'm getting nowhere fast
Getting nowhere
I'm getting nowhere fast
Getting nowhere
I'm getting nowhere fast

Emma was the lawman and I was the brave
We got in trouble, we'd never behave
And we'd run around all morning and rest in the shade
I remember where I stood telling Emma
we were best friends for good

We started school the inseparable pair
And I'd chase the boys who were pulling her hair
And she climbed up the tower accepting my dare
At the early age of eight I told Emma if she fell I'd be there

In time I would carry her books, that's when it began
I started to notice her looks and the sweat in my hand

Then there was a totally new game to play
We both gave our promise to never betray
And I was so sure we'd be married one day
At the early age of ten I loved Emma and I would 'til the end

One day she climbed up the tower, she kept looking down
The split-second lasted for hours 'til she lay on the ground

And right then I grew up in every way
I buried the child in me that day
But I guess not completely or I wouldn't say
that part of me believes that sweet Emma will come back someday
Yeah a part of me believes that sweet Emma will come back someday

This used to be mine you know
Plenty of time and kindness overflowed
It was all right, then overnight
I was grown out of my happy home
Oh yeah
Transferred from school to school
Special enrollment, gifted programs suck
I was the one, the prodigal son who got stuck
My parents were out of luck

Give the human mind some extra time
Get a dark cloud down the road
Give a genius son nowhere to run
Get a bomb that can't explode
A bomb that can't explode

Out of the blue to black
One day my dad had a massive heart attack
It wasn't my fault
He ate too much salt all his life
He's survived by his charming wife
and son

Give the human mind some extra time
Get a dark cloud down the road
Give a genius son nowhere to run
Get a bomb that can't explode
A bomb that can't explode

Give the human mind some extra time
Get a dark cloud down the road
Give a genius son nowhere to run
Get a bomb that can't explode
A bomb that can't explode

Now that you're out on your own
Will you make it your own way home
Now you can stand on two feet
Will you give up the dreams you've known
But will you wake up one day to find that you're alone