Pierre (Off-Broadway Version)

[PIERRE]
It's dawned on me suddenly
And for no obvious reason
That I can't go on
Living as I am
The zest of life has vanished
Only the skeleton remains
Unexpectedly vile

I used to be better
I used to be better
I used to be better

I used to be better
I used to be better
I used to be better

[CHORUS]
Oh, Pierre, Our merry feasting crank
Our most dear, most kind,
Most smart and eccentric
A warm-hearted Russian of the old school
His purse is always empty
'Cause it's open to all
Oh, Pierre
Just one of a hundred sad old men
Living out their final days in Moscow

[PIERRE]
I drink too much
Right now, my friend fights and bleeds
And I sit at home and read
Hours at a time
Hours at my screen
Anything, anything
Abandoned to distraction
In order to forget
We waste our lives
Drowning in wine

I never thought that I'd end up like this
I used to be better

And the women, they all pity me
'Cause I'm married
But not in love
Frozen at the center

[WOMEN]
Il est charmant; il n'a pas de sexe
He is charming; he has no sex

[CHORUS]
Oh, Pierre, Our merry feasting crank
Our most dear, most kind,
Most smart and eccentric
A warm-hearted Russian of the old school
His purse is always empty
'Cause it's open to all
Oh, Pierre
Just one of a hundred sad old men
Living out their final days in Moscow

[PIERRE]
There's a ringing in my head
There's a sickness in the world
And everyone knows
But pretends that they don't see
“Oh, I'll sort it out later”
But later never comes

[PIERRE & MEN]
And how many men before
Good Russian men
Believing in goodness and truth

[PIERRE]
Entered that door
With all their teeth and hair
And left it toothless and bald?

You empty and stupid
Contented fellows
Satisfied with your place
I'm different from you
I'm different from you
I still want to do something

[Or do you struggle too?
I pity you, I pity me, I pity you
I pity you, I pity me, I pity you

[CHORUS]
Ahhh