now i'd seen him despondent

a few times as of late

sometimes the answer that love gives

is the hardest one to take

i know he was prone to paint

the voice of his own fear

so vincent he picked up the blade

and he put it to his ear



look at yourself in the mirror

you're all rumpled red stubbled and gaunt

you walk a dead end path in a dry corn field

and now this morose response

your princess she don't wanna see you

no your princess she don't wanna hear

so vincent he picked up the blade

and he put it to his ear



now look if you're gonna come around here

and say those sort of things

you gotta take a few on the chin

you talking about love and all that stuff

you better bring your thickest skin

sometimes you can't please everyone

sometimes you can't please anyone at all

you sew your heart onto your sleeve

and wait for the ax to fall



you there with the paint box

you there with paper and pen

me i got this blunt instrument

i'm gonna play on 'til the end

and you know you come with empty hands

or you don't come at all

you deal your best hand out in the marketplace

and let the chips fall



the package it comes wrapped up

there is a lesson here

vincent he picked up the blade

and he put it to his ear



now look if you're gonna come around here

and say those sort of things

you gotta take a few on the chin

yeah you're talking about sin and redemption

well you better wear your thickest skin

sometimes you can't please everyone

sometimes you can't please anyone at all

sew your heart onto your sleeve

and wait for the ax to fall