Legacy

[Verse 1]
I've torn so much flesh from fingertips so red
I barely leave a mark, barely leave a mark
Pillars of regret in emerald halls I let
My old distractions win, old distractions win
All those years of hope pull their fingers tightly around your throat

[Verse 2]
At the mercy of hard work and all its charms
The rumours mill away, rumours mill away
Years spent whiling away hours and skin
And nought to show for it, nought to show for it
All those years of hope pull their fingers 'round your throat
At the hands of those who have learned your weaknesses all by rote

[Chorus]
Good God, I'd love to scream this whole place down
A legacy that I could live without

[Verse 3]
Drunk to highest hell to retread spirals I know well
Never letting down the guard I so rely upon
And all for what? All for what?

The horrors I've been through for things worth lending my name to
You wouldn't believe what a boy like me can take to heart
And all for what? All for what?
(All for what?)
(All for what?)

[Chorus]
Good God I'd love to scream this whole place down
A legacy that I could live without
I'll shout and howl till there is only sleep
To rid me of this shit that I don't need

[Outro]
Not the battered shoes or shirts that I may choose
But plaudits I have won and all that hauled me through
I'll wear the qualities of liars and of cheats
And barely leave a mark, barely leave a mark