[Verse 1] They sold me Heaven in a plastic cup Said, "Drink this down and you'll be fixed right up" The preacher wants a tip, the politician wants a vote And the man who sells salvation can't keep water in his boat They say the world is beautiful Perhaps I'm looking at it wrong Perhaps the birds are singing praises To a world that won't sing along There's a billboard promising happiness A hotline for my peace of mind And a thousand smiling strangers Who are doing perfectly fine [Pre-Chorus] If this is paradise Then somebody lost the plans The gates are made of paperwork And God won't take my calls again [Chorus] Black Heaven, take my soul instead Paint the clouds a funeral red If your paradise is built on lies I'll take the place they advertise Black Heaven, let the angels wait I'm not impressed with the golden gate If the world's a gift, keep the thread Black Heaven, take my soul instead [Post-Chorus] Take my soul instead Take my soul instead [Verse 2] The newsman says we're doing great While the rent climbs up another rate The rich man lectures us on greed From a chair made out of everything we need The holy man says love thy neighbor Then charges extra for the favor The charity ball is dressed in gold For all the hungry souls they're meant to hold And every brand has found a cause As long as it obeys the laws Of marketing and quarterly gains Now buy this shirt to end your pain [Pre-Chorus 2] They promise me a better life If I behave and play along But I've been good for quite some time And nothing's changed except the song [Chorus] Black Heaven, take my soul instead Paint the clouds a funeral red If your paradise is built on lies I'll take the place they advertise Black Heaven, let the angels wait I'm not impressed with the golden gate If the world's a gift, keep the thread Black Heaven, take my soul instead [Verse 3] I've started building my own Heaven In a room above the street Where nobody sells me happiness And nobody calls me weak There's a record player in the corner And a door that locks just fine No sermons through the ceiling No inspirational signs I've got cheap wine in the cupboard And a lamp that barely glows It's not much of a salvation But at least the landlord knows [Bridge] Maybe Heaven isn't waiting Maybe Hell is just a name That we give to all the places Where we lose the little game Maybe God is out to lunch Maybe Satan's working late Maybe both of them are laughing At the people at the gate So I'll make my own religion Out of everything I like A little music, little silence And the freedom to dislike [Final Chorus]] Black Heaven, take my soul instead Paint the clouds a funeral red If your paradise is built on lies I'll take the place they advertise Black Heaven, let the angels wait I'm not impressed with the golden gate If the world's a gift, keep the thread Black Heaven, take my soul instead Black Heaven! No halos over my bed Black Heaven! No empty promises left If this is Heaven, I've had enough If Hell is honest, that's good enough Keep your crown and your holy bread Black Heaven, take my soul instead [Outro] I finally found my Heaven. It's got terrible lighting. And the music's much better.
