[Verse 1] I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather burn bright in the dark Than be held down, day by day By dry-rot hands and a frozen heart [Pre-Chorus] I would rather be a spark on fire Than sleep through the whole long sky I want my name in the wind, alive I want my feet on the edge of time [Chorus] I would rather be ashes than dust Ashes than dust, ashes than dust My spark goes up, my spark goes up I use my time, I use my time [Verse 2] I would rather that my spark should burn out In a brilliant blaze, not a fade Every atom of me in magnificent glow Than a slow little sleep in gray [Pre-Chorus] The function of man is to live, not exist I keep that line like a flame No borrowed years, no wasted breath I’m here to light up my name [Chorus] I would rather be ashes than dust Ashes than dust, ashes than dust My spark goes up, my spark goes up I use my time, I use my time [Bridge] I shall not spend my days Trying to prolong them I will not hide from the open hour I will not kneel to the dull, the dim [Final Chorus] I would rather be ashes than dust Ashes than dust, ashes than dust My spark goes up, my spark goes up I use my time, I use my time I use my time I use my time
