M Shepard Lyrics

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 lines

If the whole world dies,
Then it's safe to take the stage,
These graves will stretch like landing on strips
Hospitals - all the dead museums,
We won't have to be afraid anymore
The crowd is growing silent
With the gathering storm

[chorus]
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 precession of emptiness,

If we say these words,
It will be too late to take them back
So we hold our breathe 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 theatre
Someone's standing in the aisle
[yelling that the murderers]
Are everywhere and they're lining up,
Carving the 'M' in your side
Set them long [this day]

[chorus]
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 precession of emptiness,

The stage is set to rip the wings
From a butterfly,

[bridge]

Pull the curtains back
Kill all the house lights
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 scare crow,

With smiles like picket fences,
You tie us all up and leave us outside
That voice is silent now
And the boat has sunk, we're on our own

But we're not going to run!