Harmony, Courage, Joy and I.Q. - Lyrics

You've got to make this union last

Estranged would not apply

when describing your arrangement

Why?...

They were instrumental

Pointing to the way that things are now done

They were influential

and did everything to make it go

You ought to make up for your lackadaisical balladry 

by spewing expletives onstage to gain points with the kids

With those connections they can now collect on favors overdue

There's quite a few

They were instrumental 

Pointing to the way that things are now done

They were influential

and did everything to make it go

They were instrumental

way back in the day when life seemed longer

They saw your potential and went to great lengths to make it so

[Break]

[Refrain]

Falling far below to stay ahead

Leaving little doubt, it's in the red

Some say the ol' ball and chain will make me stronger

I'm sure the weight of the strain will break me some year

William, you keep finding me 

so periodic and discreet

William, you won't let me be even though you happen to be

uninvited

William, William

Eventually, I'll pay for that

Crawling out of car then into bed

Feeling half alive and almost dead

Some say that I am to blame

For this I'm given credit

I fear it's all in my name

Now I live to regret it

[Refrain]

William, you keep hounding me so automatic and complete

William, will you ever cease?

When seeing you I'm never too excited

William, William

Eventually I'll pay for that

(Solo)

[Refrain]

William, William

Eventually,

If it kills me... I'll pay for that

Faintly heard

Seldom seen

Barely felt

Not to be

What's in store for countless names unequalled yet ignored?

Often last

First to leave

Non-aggressive

All type B

What becomes of those too numerous to mention well-opposed?

No one knows

Someone has the evidence to expose this tragedy

Anonymous Posthumously

[Break]

What do they live for?

A mere expression without patronage, never sold

Let us hope someone will approach this a sense of urgency

Anonymous Posthumously

Instrumental

It's a business built upon an old scheme:

Separate the masses, from their money by selling rustic hooks

and amateur prose

They've sold it out, but you've got clout

'cause you had your famous mate

reserve you a laminate

An all-access pass through the gate and beyond 

Hangin' with the VIPs

It's a business card on a short string

Not everyone gets to go where you're going

'cause it boils down to this:

It's who you know

[Break]

They block your way but you're OK displaying your laminate

Your rama-laminate 

An all-excess pass backstage

and on the bus 

Catchin' the groupie's disease

It's a business,

and if business is booming,

the corporate heads will nod in time, 

assuming there's another town and a whole new show

... so don't forget your laminate

Instrumental 

Rules taught us what not to do

Proper use, permissible modes

Those endorsed by the Pope Who forbid the devil's tri-tone?

Harmony, Courage, Joy and I.Q.

Whatever happened to

Harmony, Courage, Joy and I.Q.

because we're not into

Discord, cowardice, sadness and attention deficits

Discord, cowardice, sadness

and attention deficits

Harmony, Courage, Joy and I.Q.

[Solo]

Homes have been broken into

Stealing youth to accelerate the pulse

Woofers pump and tweeters blow, as fingers form the devil's horns

[Refrain]

In us it hides without disguise

until we are drawn as connected lines

It's been defined, thought to be unkind, 

but still, we respond and blindly trail behind

Struck by a face kissed by the sun

Walking on air, you think you found "the one"

At night you reach out with feelings of doubt, 

but you're safe in the arms of one so loving and devout

And though you know there's no need to be ashamed, 

you swore that you'd never feel this way again

[Break]

Autumn

[Verse 1]

[Refrain]

And for your heart, you pray it isn't true 

but you might have found "the one"

Immortalized on-screen

Blown up on TNT

In line to meet the Queen

with car tunes culled from the sea

I'm witness to their steady climb formed with the intent to ascend to the level of their idol

Appraised in magazines for reinventing harmonies

This notoriety is somewhat preconceived

They used the quote as an anecdote and held him to his word 

No wonder I can hear them smile (No wonder I still prefer Hawaii)

For I'm witness to their steady climb, formed with the intent to

ascend to the level of their idol

[Bridge]

See those glasses and that hair

It's them!

That Lennon stance and Dylan's cap 

It's them!

Everywhere I turn, turn, turn

To live in luxury,

The Californian dreams

Just look or listen 

You'll feel their presence, 

guaranteed

[Bridge]

[Verse 1]

We began with an April shower and grew into a wildflower

It wasn't with me that they 

saw her and bet that we wouldn't get along 

Though summer came,

then fall, by winter we were growing closer

We talked about moving elsewhere

How I wanted to take us there

But nothing could make her stay

near

She'd been living so close too long with mixed feelings 

Needing room

Caught in a storm of emotions

with several warnings

(Ref)

Ever since, now and then,

I recall the day that she left

A deep imprint remained

That's what I've kept

As the years go by,

what was lost will come back to me with new thoughts of Lisa Marie

[Break]

[Refrain]

...hidden away

As the tears go by,

the past may fade but what was lost will come back to me with new thoughts of Lisa Marie

...even today

Time and again,

 I find that I'm 

at my own wit's end

or taken aback just knowing I'm bound to break not bend

Shootin' the breeze,

killing all hours short of sleep

I'm weak in the knees

Butterflies - cause of my defeat

(Ref 1) 

It's way too early 

I can only guess that i won't be a happier man unless I'm a part of your selfishness...

Waiting for days

A knight without shining armor

fell asleep at the wheel

He couldn't even by a vowel 

...at this point

(Then all of a sudden!)

The outspoken maiden showed her rage

His future down the drain, he ran amuck in search of a suitable end-it-all tree, the view being better from up above his bad luck

(Ref)

The time is right to reap all that I can sow

Then I'd spend my days basking in the afterglow

Still, all that I know is...

(Ref 1)

(Bridge)

...is not a crime 

With the guilt it's hard to describe how I felt when I didn't bring home the prize

Anticipating, but the moment never comes

The game of life plays on without you

Monopolizing, there's no way that one can fail, then I land on go to jail

Time and again,

I find that I'm at my own wit's end

or taken aback just I'm born to lose, not win

(Ref 3)

It's not too late for me to change my ways

And I may be amazed how quickly it falls into place

Still, All I can say is...

(Ref 2)

(Ref 1)

There must be a few in every crowd who somehow seem to rise above dark clouds

How do they know by morning it 

all will pass?

What a dismal planet we now live on

Why even bother 'cos we all know the outcome

You've heard the joke:

Life sucks and then you die

Do you suppose that this has all been a test?

I'm an Eternal Optimist

[Break]

Am I crazy to think I can do all I wanna do in this short lifespan?

I'm well aware of others who've had a harder life than I have

If I get it wrong this time,

do I deserve another chance to make it right?

Overall, I must find balance

Look eastward, forgo the west 

And make sure all beasts and children are blessed

I'm an Eternal Optimist