[Short Intro — piano + distant room ambience] [Verse 1 — intimate] He was there when I was younger, standing quietly behind me. Every birthday, every failure, every time the world went wrong. He knew the words I needed, he knew exactly when to call. Strange how someone can be present and never really be there at all. [Chorus — wide] THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE, I kept looking everywhere. In every crowd, in every face, in every empty chair. THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE, I thought I'd find him if I cared. But I was searching for somebody who was never really there. [Instrumental — piano + pulse] [Verse 2] I became what people wanted, learned to laugh at all the right times. Held my tongue through every silence, called it strength, called it fine. Then I saw myself in the window of a leaving train. For the first time in my life, I didn't look away. [Male — fade to whisper] I was there for everybody. I answered every call. I carried every burden. I just wasn't there... for me. [Final Chorus — huge] I WAS THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE! I disappeared in other's lives! I gave away myself, my name, my time! THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE [whisper] is finally I'm here. [end] [silence] [fade to out] [whisper] ...is finally I'm here. [end]
