New Rome

Strange how far down the line you remained with me
Breathing down my neck
And if I thought I deserved you
You'd be my enemy

Tired of the fight
Of the din
Guess I should
Spend more time getting over you
And if you're not up to changing
Who am I to blame you?

(Old town) We'll never be alone
(New Rome) You'll never let us be
(Old town) All that we ought to be
(New Rome) Blood in your body

Strange how far down the line you remained with me
Am I your ancient history?
Will people name a street after me
Or should I just keep paying bills?
I nod and I smile and pretend that I struggle
Send my thoughts to the broken
It's been a lifetime of watching you
Can I please just look away?

I have no doubts anymore
No nets, no guarantees
A few words is all takes
Some will abide, trying to pray away the pain
To savour the drama of the day
And I love you, but just say
Why would I stay and watch you die away?

Those who got out early know in their bones
This is all a false paradise and they're lucky to be breathing
Mired in numbers and in law's double-talk
In mindless games and fruitless labors
Grinding

Dawn in New Rome
Pale yellow, scentless gray
Sleepless commuter-folk
Wearing their human coats
The light is searching
For angles to shine through
Buried beneath bus lanes and noises

The sun, it arrives but it shines on no one
The delusional and the childish look for morning
A hope for a start and a death and a raise
And a welcome change that a hand makes out of nothing
(Nothing, nothing at all!)

Dawn in New Rome
Pale yellow, scentless gray
Sleepless commuter-folk
Wearing their human coats
The light is searching
For angles to shine through
Buried beneath bus lanes and noises

Counting seconds, one by one
Covered in blood that's not mine
There must be more to life