The Curse of Deontology

[Verse 1] There's a devil in the details of the rules I've come to know Five will die unless I kill, but I can't strike that blow No I can't push, these hands stay clean, my conscience must be pure Even though five families weep, my principles endure [Pre-Chorus] But here's the thing that haunts my dreams Nothing's quite the way it seems If all follow what I preach Paradise stays out of reach [Chorus] Don't follow me, don't heed my creed I'm bound by chains while others bleed What's right for me leaves nothing fixed My hands stay clean; while you do what we need [Verse 2] At the voting booth I'm frozen, should I mark the ballot down? The policy saves thousands, but breaks the rules I've found I realize I'm hoping that the others vote it through While I abstain to keep my soul - what is a man to do? [Bridge - spoken word] By doing what I say is right, the world would be much worse That's how I know this moral code is nothing but a curse I want you to save the five, I want the good to win But I'm trapped inside a rulebook, that's the paradox I'm in [Chorus] Don't follow me, don't heed my creed I'm bound by chains while others bleed What's right for me leaves nothing fixed My hands stay clean; while you do what we need [Verse 3] I wander through this world, a prophet no one should believe Teaching ethics that I hope the world will never quite receive Every student that ignores me is a victory in disguise The best disciples of my doctrine are the ones who close their eyes [Pre-Chorus] So here's my blessing and my curse to you Forget the words I say, do what I'd never do I'm the lighthouse warning ships to stay at sea While knowing that the harbor's where they need to be [Chorus] Don't follow me, don't heed my creed I'm bound by chains while others bleed What's right for me leaves nothing fixed My hands stay clean; while you do what we need [Bridge] I'm the saint who prays for sinners They're the ones who'll save your life The curse of my moral code: It surrenders to the strife [Outro] I hope you'll put my rules to flame I know you wish I'd do the same This paradox suggests a game: Let's each agree to choose the good Free each other from these chains Find the truth in what remains (the truth in what remains)