O fleeting, flaunting, dread of mine,
lift me up just one more time—
hold me in your arms and spin,
and show them how I'm at your whim—

The stage is set the same as last;
the future's always been the past—
the lights will shine on nothing new,
and it's no secret what we'll do—

Alas, the routine's just as fun,
with shock and awe at what you've spun—
a twirling tale of fright and fear;
a drowning-out of what I hear;

a warm embrace of loving lies;
a kiss upon my tearful eyes;
a whisper of my latent loss;
a visage of my bearing cross—

The crowd will cheer, it's all an act,
they think my soul is still intact—
I'm dancing with my own despair,
and wishing how I never fared—

Alas, my feet will always move,
my rhythm isn't mine to choose—
the visions here upon the stage
are mine and only mine to wage—

I'm spinning, jumping, running free,
until the curtains draw on me—
I'm putting smiles on my face
and putting sadness in its place—

A lie, I say! It's nothing new!
Tell me what I'll never do—
O fleeting, flaunting, dread of mine,
put me down this one last time—

I dance and dance until I rot,
A final act is what I've sought—
The crowd will go and cheer me on,
and never wonder where I've gone—

Alas, I fall and pay my tithe,
and cling to my despair for life—
It's held my hand through all these years;
It's dried and wiped away my tears—

A troubled mind's the only cost,
yes, the mind that I have lost—
Behind the curtains out of sight
is where I live, without a light—

O fleeting, flaunting, dread of mine,
you keep my heartbeat right on time—
hold me in your arms again,
and please put an end to my pain...