When the light is shined upon me in those early days of fame
I wonder if I'll revel when their lips all speak my name.
I wonder will I be lonely, will my life remain the same?

Or will the goodness of my heart lose itself to lust and greed?
Will all the things that I desire surpass the things I need?
Will I sacrifice myself? Will I burn or will I bleed?

I suspect that I'll be lost among the women and the wine.
I'm none too strong and not steadfast in the face of things that fine.
All the things I could consume, I will try and make them mine.

And when the house begins to shake and my mighty tower falls,
When the fame is gone, the girls are gone, and I'm up against the wall
Will I have the sense to know I've finally lost it all?

Lost: the lights of fame and gone is my former wealth.
As I drink and smoke and toast to my declining health
Crucified is too good a word to use upon myself.

My breathing slows, my heart has stopped, my pulse has ceased to race
Quiet and lonely comes death to me, a welcome friendly face
He takes me from this broken body this abused and awful place

This life has ended that began in such beauty and acclaim
But once you're touched, you're changed for good, you'll never be the same
Such is the price, the awful price, of the siren some call fame.

AcB 11.29.99