[Intro — Bright brass fanfare, almost like a television commercial] Step right up! Don’t be shy! Your better life is waiting just beyond the sky! [Verse 1] He came to town in a silver car With a polished smile and a bright cigar Said, “Friends, I know what your dreams are worth And I’ve got the finest future on Earth” He had photographs of golden streets Where nobody loses and nobody bleeds He said, “Sign your name, leave the rest to me You’ll be everything you were meant to be” [Pre-Chorus] He sold the rain to the thirsty ground Sold silence back to a noisy town And everybody cheered when he made his claim: “Tomorrow’s coming—just remember my name” [Chorus — Full brass] He’s the man who sold tomorrow For a little bit of everything today He’ll take your time, your hope, your sorrow And promise that the price will go away He’ll paint the sky in borrowed colors Tell you that the sun is on its way He’s the man who sold tomorrow But tomorrow never came [Horn Break — Punchy trumpet and trombone call-and-response] Buy now! Pay later! Dream bigger! Live greater! [Verse 2] He sold a ladder with missing rungs To the tired old men and the desperate young Said, “The top is close, don’t look below Just keep climbing where I tell you to go” He sold a clock that was running fast Said, “Don’t waste time thinking about the past” Then he bought their hours for half their worth And put another billboard over the dirt [Pre-Chorus] He sold the fire, then charged for rain Sold the cure, then renamed the pain And everybody danced when the trumpets played While the walls went up and the daylight faded [Chorus] He’s the man who sold tomorrow For a little bit of everything today He’ll take your time, your hope, your sorrow And promise that the price will go away He’ll paint the sky in borrowed colors Tell you that the sun is on its way He’s the man who sold tomorrow But tomorrow never came [Bridge — Music drops to piano, bass, and low brass] One day a child raised up her hand And said, “Sir, I don’t understand If tomorrow’s ours and the future is bright Why are you leaving with everything tonight?” The room went still His smile went thin The horns stopped playing The truth walked in He said, “You’ve got to trust me” She said, “Show me how” He said, “The future’s coming” She said: “What about now?” [Brass Explosion] What about now? What about now? You keep selling us later— What about now? [Final Chorus — Bigger, defiant] He’s the man who sold tomorrow But we’re taking back everything today Our time, our hope, our joy, our sorrow Were never his to bargain all away Let him paint the sky in borrowed colors We have learned to see behind the gray He’s the man who sold tomorrow And we’re done with what he says He’s the man who sold tomorrow But tomorrow starts today [Outro — Slower, swaggering brass refrain] No more buying No more waiting No more promises on credit Keep your future Keep your speeches We’re alive right now— Don’t forget it [Final horn hit] Tomorrow starts today!
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