The Role That I Play

[Verse 1] [pensive, nostalgic] I grew up listening to chivalric stories Of knights riding out seeking fortune and glory Performing brave feats of strength and agility And saving fair maidens (when they're of nobility) [gradually becoming more cynical] And now I'm the one who takes up shield and sword To dispatch the goblins and return with their hoard They're dangerous creatures, or so I've been told The queen calls them monsters, the queen wants their gold I know in my heart there's a more peaceful way But that's not the role that I play [Verse 2] [confrontational, with more instrumentation] The DM, he scowls from behind his screen I'm ruining his epic of goblins and queen He says, "I'm not running friendship, I'm running a war What did you think this d20 is for?" "This game is a function of statistics and dice It just isn't as interesting when we play nice Just roll for initiative, don't try to feel You're acting as if this pretending is real" "It's only a game, don't get carried away That's not the role that you play" [Instrumental: violin and guitar] [Verse 3] [indignant and powerful] And out in the world they just don't give a damn They think that they already know who I am A perfunctory glance and their judgment's complete As if all they can see is a character sheet They say, "Leave it to others to be strong and be brave Be sweet, be polite, and don't ever make waves Just be content with your songs and your art You may have the skills but you don't look the part" "You're stuck on this path and we won't let you stray That's not the role that you play" [slower, sadly] I'll never be your knight riding in to save the day That's not the role that I play