The stage is set
to rip the wings from a butterfly.
the stage is set,
the stage is set,
don't forget to breathe,
between the lines

if the whole world dies,
then it's safe
to take the stage.
these graves will stretch like landing strips -
hospitals: all dead museums,

we won't have to be afraid anymore.
the crowd is growing silent
with the gathering storm.

when the curtain falls
and you're caught on the other side
just trying to keep up the act,
we'll lie in the back of black cars,
with the windows rolled up.
joining the procession of emptiness.

if we say these words,
it will be too late to take them back.
so we hold our breath
and fold our hands,
like paper planes
(and we're going to crash).

we don't have to be alone
ever again.
there's a riot in the theater.
someone's standing the aisles,
yelling that murderers are everywhere
and they're lining up,
carving the M in your side.

when the curtain falls
and you're caught on the other side
just trying to keep up the act,
we'll lie in the back of black cars,
with the windows rolled up.
joining the procession of emptiness.

the stage is set
to rip the wings from a butterfly

pull the curtain back.
kill all the houselights.
pin the dress lotus flowers.
the silk is spinning
around and around, with the ceiling fan.

I'm disappearing into the spotlight.
I'm on display,
with the butterfly
and the scarecrow.

with smiles like picket fences,
you tie us all up and leave us outside.

"that voice is silent now, the boat has sunk..."

we're on our own

but we're not going to run