Pin Up
Hey, can we sit here until we can no longer stand
Round after round, fist over hand
So convenient you ran into me today
And you can love me for convenience's sake
Where have you been, love?
I think you look a little pale
But you hear voices same as I do, don't you?
Saying we could die tomorrow, we could die tonight.
Isn't that right?
You want me to tell you whether you deserved it
But you don't mention what she did
You remember there was nothing I could do for you
She was there, lighting up rooms for you.
Who are we now, love?
If anonymity is key.
But you hear voices same as I do, don't you?
Telling you you better be somebody or be damned
Yes, and?
Please, won't you pin me on your wall?
How's this disappearing working out so far?
I know you want her wondering where you are
Best content yourself with being undefined
And find meaning in the exit signs
We are nowhere, love
And you can stay here if you like
But you hear voices same as I do, don't you?
And they're screaming at full volume,
And they're telling you to run
It's done.
Round after round, fist over hand
So convenient you ran into me today
And you can love me for convenience's sake
Where have you been, love?
I think you look a little pale
But you hear voices same as I do, don't you?
Saying we could die tomorrow, we could die tonight.
Isn't that right?
You want me to tell you whether you deserved it
But you don't mention what she did
You remember there was nothing I could do for you
She was there, lighting up rooms for you.
Who are we now, love?
If anonymity is key.
But you hear voices same as I do, don't you?
Telling you you better be somebody or be damned
Yes, and?
Please, won't you pin me on your wall?
How's this disappearing working out so far?
I know you want her wondering where you are
Best content yourself with being undefined
And find meaning in the exit signs
We are nowhere, love
And you can stay here if you like
But you hear voices same as I do, don't you?
And they're screaming at full volume,
And they're telling you to run
It's done.
All Eyes On Me
I think I left a windowledge around here somewhere...
No, you go ahead, I'll catch up
It's you and me from here on out
Cause who'd dare to follow us?
Furious in fear, your fingers tear at the receding sky
But I fly
Look at all the sorry strangers under glass
No time to think about their lives
Identical in horror
Mouths open, hands tied
I wave my greetings while I'm slipping by each storied mile
And I smile
All eyes are on me now
Think about the distance you've gone
Look back at me, twenty feet above
Too far to hear what you're praying for
What good in praying, love?
Wind burned and blinded I am finally blessing all I see
And I breathe
All eyes are on me now
Ooh, the minutes whistle past you
You have so much air-use it however you see fit
As for me, I'm not gonna plead with the sight unseen
I am gaining ground...
No, you go ahead, I'll catch up
It's you and me from here on out
Cause who'd dare to follow us?
Furious in fear, your fingers tear at the receding sky
But I fly
Look at all the sorry strangers under glass
No time to think about their lives
Identical in horror
Mouths open, hands tied
I wave my greetings while I'm slipping by each storied mile
And I smile
All eyes are on me now
Think about the distance you've gone
Look back at me, twenty feet above
Too far to hear what you're praying for
What good in praying, love?
Wind burned and blinded I am finally blessing all I see
And I breathe
All eyes are on me now
Ooh, the minutes whistle past you
You have so much air-use it however you see fit
As for me, I'm not gonna plead with the sight unseen
I am gaining ground...
Before The Cold Air Hits Us
Don't let me out of this room
We'll both get there soon enough
What with all of our infamous honesty
Who would suspect us?
Give me the palms of your hands where your history can be traced
Sketch it on vellum, and then let it blow away
We can begin when you're ready
Let me help you find your place
Take any time you might need
I have been practicing patience
But I can't be his champion anymore, I've been too long in this ring
Flew the white flag as soon as I threw down my glove for him
Can't you imagine his temper
When he finds his puppet show upset?
We swing behind tattered velvet
He tugs at strings, we nod our heads
And what should I do with your pity now that I've made it my own?
Wrap it around my finger and polish it til it glows?
The fan above us is humming its lullaby
The blades just hover out of reach
Don't worry - We are always so good
Once more before the cold air hits us
We'll both get there soon enough
What with all of our infamous honesty
Who would suspect us?
Give me the palms of your hands where your history can be traced
Sketch it on vellum, and then let it blow away
We can begin when you're ready
Let me help you find your place
Take any time you might need
I have been practicing patience
But I can't be his champion anymore, I've been too long in this ring
Flew the white flag as soon as I threw down my glove for him
Can't you imagine his temper
When he finds his puppet show upset?
We swing behind tattered velvet
He tugs at strings, we nod our heads
And what should I do with your pity now that I've made it my own?
Wrap it around my finger and polish it til it glows?
The fan above us is humming its lullaby
The blades just hover out of reach
Don't worry - We are always so good
Once more before the cold air hits us
Jack Of Diamonds
Come closer, come closer Jack of Diamonds
I'm not gonna hurt you much
Lean in and whisper through the veil of my hair
About everyone you hate here
Ear to shoulder, hold me in
Hold me in
Hold me in
We are building a paper kingdom
If I shift once inch I will damn us to chaos
What a beautiful collapse
Fluttering like feathers
Layer after layer, red and black
Drifting into nothing at my wicked feet
Dirty at the corners
Ragged at the edges
Strangers I'm supporting
Shaking with the effort
I'm not afraid, I am not offended
I'll stay standing on end and
I'll split apart
I'll pull ahead
You'll be fascinated
Quick and plain and slowly gaining
Feel that? My breath on your neck
I could work magic, just haven't yet
Not enough and I still can't keep up with it
Your castles are going up much too fast
Fragile as they go, harder when they fall
Jack of Diamonds, I could try and drag them down
Scatter all the chances that you've random drawn
I want to ruin everything -
So sorry.
I'm not gonna hurt you much
Lean in and whisper through the veil of my hair
About everyone you hate here
Ear to shoulder, hold me in
Hold me in
Hold me in
We are building a paper kingdom
If I shift once inch I will damn us to chaos
What a beautiful collapse
Fluttering like feathers
Layer after layer, red and black
Drifting into nothing at my wicked feet
Dirty at the corners
Ragged at the edges
Strangers I'm supporting
Shaking with the effort
I'm not afraid, I am not offended
I'll stay standing on end and
I'll split apart
I'll pull ahead
You'll be fascinated
Quick and plain and slowly gaining
Feel that? My breath on your neck
I could work magic, just haven't yet
Not enough and I still can't keep up with it
Your castles are going up much too fast
Fragile as they go, harder when they fall
Jack of Diamonds, I could try and drag them down
Scatter all the chances that you've random drawn
I want to ruin everything -
So sorry.
Poor Leander
And is she everything you thought she'd be, your tower jumper?
When you caught her did she thank you, or did she laugh?
Did you find her by the road side with her wrists tied
Saying "maybe" saying "please"?
Did you tell her you would keep away the devil?
Did she beg you not to leave?
Was she good to you?
Was she telling you she loved you, keeping one hand out of sight?
Bedsheet around your shoulders, scrapes on both your knees
Were you running off the roof again my broken friend?
Yeah you're flying now to save her
From the latest ivory castle that you've found.
But the second that she lets you in her window
It'll all come crashing down
Is it worth it then?
All the wishing when you're only gonna throw away your prize?
See all the pretty phantoms standing in a row
Slowly fading and shaking their sweet heads no
Yeah you're haunted as you're watching each one go
Hey dreamer, I hope you realize -
Ghost stories don't need heroes
And did you ask me to your campfire with good intentions
Cause you knew that I would never need a rescuer?
You've been using me as your diary
Writing all your prayers and secrets up and down my arms
Soon there won't be any room for mine
Are you looking for the shore now my poor Leander?
Did she kill the lights when you were only halfway there?
When you caught her did she thank you, or did she laugh?
Did you find her by the road side with her wrists tied
Saying "maybe" saying "please"?
Did you tell her you would keep away the devil?
Did she beg you not to leave?
Was she good to you?
Was she telling you she loved you, keeping one hand out of sight?
Bedsheet around your shoulders, scrapes on both your knees
Were you running off the roof again my broken friend?
Yeah you're flying now to save her
From the latest ivory castle that you've found.
But the second that she lets you in her window
It'll all come crashing down
Is it worth it then?
All the wishing when you're only gonna throw away your prize?
See all the pretty phantoms standing in a row
Slowly fading and shaking their sweet heads no
Yeah you're haunted as you're watching each one go
Hey dreamer, I hope you realize -
Ghost stories don't need heroes
And did you ask me to your campfire with good intentions
Cause you knew that I would never need a rescuer?
You've been using me as your diary
Writing all your prayers and secrets up and down my arms
Soon there won't be any room for mine
Are you looking for the shore now my poor Leander?
Did she kill the lights when you were only halfway there?
Cassie At The End Of Things
High above the city I can see everything
Marble walls crumbling into pebbles on the beaten ground
From this distance everybody looks the same
Infinite and racing, screaming without sound
You can't hear a word I say
I've been silenced by my name
But I am smiling, cause I can see that I'll be
Falling from grace
Time was I was the favorite child of infamy
Pale skinned and dizzying, stranded at the fire
Should have known that none would love me but the sun
Left me when the day was done, made his love a liar
You won't know me in the light
Take my voice and leave my sight
But I am smiling, cause I can see that I'll be
Falling from grace
And I dreamed of battle ships and bridal beds
I dreamed that dusk would stain the sea
I dreamed in color and in quiet
I dreamed my world away
Daddy, can you remember what my warning was?
Following at any cost, visions of your own
See your legions, they don't care what tomorrow brings
Cassie at the end of things, knowing more than I let on
I know too much to believe
Make your martyrs, love your grief
But I am smiling, cause I can see that I'll be
Falling I am falling I am falling I am
Marble walls crumbling into pebbles on the beaten ground
From this distance everybody looks the same
Infinite and racing, screaming without sound
You can't hear a word I say
I've been silenced by my name
But I am smiling, cause I can see that I'll be
Falling from grace
Time was I was the favorite child of infamy
Pale skinned and dizzying, stranded at the fire
Should have known that none would love me but the sun
Left me when the day was done, made his love a liar
You won't know me in the light
Take my voice and leave my sight
But I am smiling, cause I can see that I'll be
Falling from grace
And I dreamed of battle ships and bridal beds
I dreamed that dusk would stain the sea
I dreamed in color and in quiet
I dreamed my world away
Daddy, can you remember what my warning was?
Following at any cost, visions of your own
See your legions, they don't care what tomorrow brings
Cassie at the end of things, knowing more than I let on
I know too much to believe
Make your martyrs, love your grief
But I am smiling, cause I can see that I'll be
Falling I am falling I am falling I am
Slow Burn
We meet for trouble, not fair dealings
Drawn blinds and choke chain freedom
You turn my prison on its head
I kick the rafters, I pace the ceiling
You speak in sugar and in splinters
But when it's late and your wit is chafing
When you start running out of clever
Suddenly I'm a handmade angel
But you leave no space beneath my spine
No room for wings
I started this, wanted to see when the world ends
Then what happens?
Stretch yourself out before me
Show the way my footsteps should go
Lead me round in circles
Tie your life to my heels, won't you?
You've got me dancing in the corner
Down where the monsters wear the crowns
And I'd do anything, twisting,
Spinning til my shoes wear out
You're gonna keep me dizzy til the music stops
Gotta get out quick before the doors lock
I started this, wanted to see when the world ends
Then what happens?
You just can't help yourself, can you?
You're climbing up and over the barbed wire again
But you know you're in no danger
You see where I am, so you know where I've been
Why don't you slum a little farther
Just south of where the safety ends
Set me a fine example
Clean collar, soft hands
And see me shimmer like I'm something better
Shining like I'm some kind of prize
Delicate and precious and lemon sweet
Blank and empty...
Send me
Tell me I was accidental
Tell me how lucky you are
You're telling me there's nothing better I can be
Than right where you can find me when you need me -
Which you will.
Drawn blinds and choke chain freedom
You turn my prison on its head
I kick the rafters, I pace the ceiling
You speak in sugar and in splinters
But when it's late and your wit is chafing
When you start running out of clever
Suddenly I'm a handmade angel
But you leave no space beneath my spine
No room for wings
I started this, wanted to see when the world ends
Then what happens?
Stretch yourself out before me
Show the way my footsteps should go
Lead me round in circles
Tie your life to my heels, won't you?
You've got me dancing in the corner
Down where the monsters wear the crowns
And I'd do anything, twisting,
Spinning til my shoes wear out
You're gonna keep me dizzy til the music stops
Gotta get out quick before the doors lock
I started this, wanted to see when the world ends
Then what happens?
You just can't help yourself, can you?
You're climbing up and over the barbed wire again
But you know you're in no danger
You see where I am, so you know where I've been
Why don't you slum a little farther
Just south of where the safety ends
Set me a fine example
Clean collar, soft hands
And see me shimmer like I'm something better
Shining like I'm some kind of prize
Delicate and precious and lemon sweet
Blank and empty...
Send me
Tell me I was accidental
Tell me how lucky you are
You're telling me there's nothing better I can be
Than right where you can find me when you need me -
Which you will.
Nicollet
Five o clock and we're walking towards Nicollet
You in your tie dye and me in my secondhand coat
Must be old movie night
Cause I'm watching this ancient home video
Black and white and I'm not quite remembering you
Look how the world has changed
There's a place on the corner, yeah that'll be fine
Stay here and bury the moonlight
I'm making the most of my evening this time
They're calling me home come Monday
'Tearing me back to the city I've claimed
So choose your words wisely then
But there's a name you're not saying, a ghost in the room
So "Good bye and be good" is as good as I'll get
It's as I'd expected, then
Crossing yourself at my door, you've come
Seeking some quick and easy absolution
But I'm only as clean as the floors I've been kneeling on
One drink and then baby you're gone again
Should have known there was no way you'd tell me the truth
So I'll have your second round
And ambient strangers can take your place
The bartender, the whiskey soaked mother of two
Yeah, they know your life story now
The mother smokes under the heat lamps with me
The beggar on the corner calls us queens
We are neither of us the madonnas we seem
And I want you to know
You only would have had to be my shadow
This is the last time I tell you goodbye, yeah
This is the last time I tell you goodbye
The last time, the last time...
Eleven thirty and I'm turning my back on Nicollet.
You in your tie dye and me in my secondhand coat
Must be old movie night
Cause I'm watching this ancient home video
Black and white and I'm not quite remembering you
Look how the world has changed
There's a place on the corner, yeah that'll be fine
Stay here and bury the moonlight
I'm making the most of my evening this time
They're calling me home come Monday
'Tearing me back to the city I've claimed
So choose your words wisely then
But there's a name you're not saying, a ghost in the room
So "Good bye and be good" is as good as I'll get
It's as I'd expected, then
Crossing yourself at my door, you've come
Seeking some quick and easy absolution
But I'm only as clean as the floors I've been kneeling on
One drink and then baby you're gone again
Should have known there was no way you'd tell me the truth
So I'll have your second round
And ambient strangers can take your place
The bartender, the whiskey soaked mother of two
Yeah, they know your life story now
The mother smokes under the heat lamps with me
The beggar on the corner calls us queens
We are neither of us the madonnas we seem
And I want you to know
You only would have had to be my shadow
This is the last time I tell you goodbye, yeah
This is the last time I tell you goodbye
The last time, the last time...
Eleven thirty and I'm turning my back on Nicollet.
Lady Of The Court
Thank God I lost you when I did
I'd hate for you to see me like this
Staggering in sandals and clinging onto restaurants
There was a promise I forgot
A couple of things I left out
And I won't be leaving here anytime soon
Blow out the candles
Blow out the candles
Blow out the candles, it isn't too late
I'm gonna be a lady of the court
Better not wait up for me
Unlikely princess in the eyes of the day old drunks
I've never been the girl whose name is in the title
The story is ending and the world just blurs away
I'm turning pages and waiting on that hero
I am a guardian of thieves
Flying on unbuttoned sleeves
Falling in the backstreets, but not for too long
I'm gonna be a lady of the court
Better not wait up for me
From now on I'll number my years in the stories I couldn't phone home
From now on I'll number my years in the parties I had to phone in
I'm told this is fun I'm having now
You call this a chance in hell?
Didn't think I had one
Not one of my banner nights
I swear I'll do better next time
In the meantime, I'm consolation
You and your hostage audience
Jokers and copycat blonds
But I got my mask on and I'm slipping out the side way
I'm gonna be a lady of the court
Better not wait up for me
So your highness, we're as separate as we're meant to be
The palace steps are empty, for a second we were
United in our twin miseries
Pretty little tragedies keep me entertained
Nobody take my hand
Nobody lead me home
Nobody lay me down...
Grace of the godless, sing me a song and say
How did I get here, how did I get here?
Kissing his feet as he strings me along
How did I get here, how did I get here?
I'd hate for you to see me like this
Staggering in sandals and clinging onto restaurants
There was a promise I forgot
A couple of things I left out
And I won't be leaving here anytime soon
Blow out the candles
Blow out the candles
Blow out the candles, it isn't too late
I'm gonna be a lady of the court
Better not wait up for me
Unlikely princess in the eyes of the day old drunks
I've never been the girl whose name is in the title
The story is ending and the world just blurs away
I'm turning pages and waiting on that hero
I am a guardian of thieves
Flying on unbuttoned sleeves
Falling in the backstreets, but not for too long
I'm gonna be a lady of the court
Better not wait up for me
From now on I'll number my years in the stories I couldn't phone home
From now on I'll number my years in the parties I had to phone in
I'm told this is fun I'm having now
You call this a chance in hell?
Didn't think I had one
Not one of my banner nights
I swear I'll do better next time
In the meantime, I'm consolation
You and your hostage audience
Jokers and copycat blonds
But I got my mask on and I'm slipping out the side way
I'm gonna be a lady of the court
Better not wait up for me
So your highness, we're as separate as we're meant to be
The palace steps are empty, for a second we were
United in our twin miseries
Pretty little tragedies keep me entertained
Nobody take my hand
Nobody lead me home
Nobody lay me down...
Grace of the godless, sing me a song and say
How did I get here, how did I get here?
Kissing his feet as he strings me along
How did I get here, how did I get here?
Long Since Gone
I.
Did I fall asleep and wake up at the end again?
Some nights can only end in nightmares
Me and the graveyard shift watchmen
Sunken eyes and matted hair
Drag us silent backwards to the start again
Cross the river, into the dark
Captive of the rattle gasp of evening
I've missed too much, I've gone too far
Should I take the copper from my tongue
And join the ranks of the forgotten?
You, you are long since gone
But I know I'm getting myself home
We are waiting for the journey to begin again
Underneath and out of sight
When the windows go black I will glow
Under artificial lights and fire escape signs
Stop motion, only to retreat again
This train, bringing us back to the earth
You can follow but I'm already beyond you
You started late, they found me first
My escorts, drifting and despondent
Murderers and blind prophets
You, you are long since gone
But I know I'm getting myself home
(Best content yourself with being undefined
Find meaning in the exit signs)
These specters, they hiss when they pass me
They bless me, they tell me I'm pretty
II.
Walk with your head up, baby
No reason you should be ashamed
Clutching at that cloth across your face
Like you think cotton's gonna save you
No, oh no
I know you're there
Troubles the beautiful have
Suddenly you have them too
Mutter curses, whisper us to hell
You bring this on yourself you know
You, sweet you
I know you're there
The heads bark
The jaws gape
The teeth snap
You can't keep track
There is a hook at your back, a scratch at the sill
This is a trick of the light, a trap of the will
And you'll still see me after you close your eyes
Tell me who are you, who loves you, and why?
Are they dreaming now without you?
Will they notice if you don't come home?
You're gonna be jumping at nothing
You're gonna be taking that hill at a run
You're gonna be smaller tomorrow
You're gonna be long gone
III.
One by one the storefronts start grinning
The land of the living begins again now
Someone must be awake, someone must be around
Darling, are you watching your time?
Keeping one eye on midnight, honey you're alright
You're alright
IV.
Sunlight's gonna drape around streelights
Dawn like a blanket around my neck
No one to guide my way
No one to damn me by glancing back
Keys in the door and you're long since gone
Keys in the door and you're long since gone
Keys in the door and you're long since gone
But I know I'm getting myself home
Did I fall asleep and wake up at the end again?
Some nights can only end in nightmares
Me and the graveyard shift watchmen
Sunken eyes and matted hair
Drag us silent backwards to the start again
Cross the river, into the dark
Captive of the rattle gasp of evening
I've missed too much, I've gone too far
Should I take the copper from my tongue
And join the ranks of the forgotten?
You, you are long since gone
But I know I'm getting myself home
We are waiting for the journey to begin again
Underneath and out of sight
When the windows go black I will glow
Under artificial lights and fire escape signs
Stop motion, only to retreat again
This train, bringing us back to the earth
You can follow but I'm already beyond you
You started late, they found me first
My escorts, drifting and despondent
Murderers and blind prophets
You, you are long since gone
But I know I'm getting myself home
(Best content yourself with being undefined
Find meaning in the exit signs)
These specters, they hiss when they pass me
They bless me, they tell me I'm pretty
II.
Walk with your head up, baby
No reason you should be ashamed
Clutching at that cloth across your face
Like you think cotton's gonna save you
No, oh no
I know you're there
Troubles the beautiful have
Suddenly you have them too
Mutter curses, whisper us to hell
You bring this on yourself you know
You, sweet you
I know you're there
The heads bark
The jaws gape
The teeth snap
You can't keep track
There is a hook at your back, a scratch at the sill
This is a trick of the light, a trap of the will
And you'll still see me after you close your eyes
Tell me who are you, who loves you, and why?
Are they dreaming now without you?
Will they notice if you don't come home?
You're gonna be jumping at nothing
You're gonna be taking that hill at a run
You're gonna be smaller tomorrow
You're gonna be long gone
III.
One by one the storefronts start grinning
The land of the living begins again now
Someone must be awake, someone must be around
Darling, are you watching your time?
Keeping one eye on midnight, honey you're alright
You're alright
IV.
Sunlight's gonna drape around streelights
Dawn like a blanket around my neck
No one to guide my way
No one to damn me by glancing back
Keys in the door and you're long since gone
Keys in the door and you're long since gone
Keys in the door and you're long since gone
But I know I'm getting myself home