[Verse 1]
Passing judgment with haste and laying to waste
Those who stand before us and dishonor the faith
A dramatic opinion, but an opinion the same
An attempt now to make right, not to enthrall or defame

An opinion piece, one after another
Laid fat from feast, one after another

[Chorus]
A man is nothing more than what others claim he is
So speak clear and ill of me and so it will be
The grating sound of my voice. The yellowing of my teeth
Speak up. Speak clear. Speak ill of me
Speak up. Speak clear. Speak ill of me

[Verse 2]
I found myself awake last night
May the players take their place
Repeat their lines exactly to my public disgrace
The years exaggerate how horrible it was
To be stricken silent with no explanation for the cause
I can’t be the only one losing sleep
Over things I should or shouldn’t have done

[Refrain]
They are the rope around the neck
They are the blade pressed to the wrist
It might seem detrimental, but it’s meaningless
[Bridge]
Left to my own devices, I am strange
I’m a liar—entertained

[Refrain]
They are the rope around the neck
They are the blade pressed to the wrist
It might seem detrimental, but it’s meaningless
They are the rope around the neck
They are the blade pressed to the wrist
It might seem detrimental, but it’s meaningless

[Chorus]
A man is nothing more than what others claim he is
So speak clear and ill of me and so it will be
The grating sound of my voice. The yellowing of my teeth
Speak up. Speak clear. Speak ill of me
Speak up. Speak clear. Speak ill of me

[Outro]
I am no one to be reviled
I am no one to be admired
Jumping rope at the end of the street
I am everyone, and everyone is me