The excuses turn to makeup And know what man I am I boast my silly knowledge And crucify my friends T's only looking back On my crooked footprints I break myself a promise Not to do that again The stage hands are all gone The curtain still remains It hides the puppeteer Pullin on my strings I could swear I'm in control I could make a judge convinced But I know my spirit quit Don't wanna be Your bargaining chip The organ pleases no one The piano is pulling teeth The guitar is strung with nothing And never makes a beep T's only now I laugh While the master takes a break Who's counting all those tickets Who's droolin on the stage The sound men are all gone The curtain still remains It hides the puppeteer Pullin on my strings I could swear I'm in control I could make a judge convinced But I know my spirit quit I don't wanna be Your bargaining chip The stage hands are all gone The curtain still remains It hides the puppeteer Pullin on my strings I could swear I'm in control Could make a judge convinced But I know that my spirit quit I don't wanna be Your bargaining chip Your bargaining chip