Give Me Back My Life

[Verse 1] The captain walked beyond the dunes. I watched him disappear. The old man waited in the glass. I held the key up clear. His mouth stopped moving. So did I. I let him have a look. For once, I held him waiting For the thing his captain took. The shop was waiting up the road. He didn't make me search. No turning left to end up right. No footprints in reverse. I crossed the threshold on my own. The shelves began to fade. I found him by the waiting mirror, Ready for a trade. [Pre-Chorus] You want this thing? Then look at me. We're done with what you need. [Chorus] Give me back my life. I've been gone too long. Take these wings and take these claws. Put me back where I belong. I don't want another story. I don't need another name. I want to wake up in the morning And feel human once again. You can have your precious key. You can have this whole damn night. But you don't get one more year of me. Give me back my life. [Verse 2] I want to walk into a room And have somebody stay. To hear a footstep coming close And not turn them away. I want to put my hands in water Just to wash them clean, Without that face beneath the surface Telling me what I have been. I used to curse a wasted Sunday. Now I'd take one in the rain. An ordinary, useless hour That you couldn't take away. A shirt across my shoulders. A door I get to close. A road that takes me where I choose. A place that feels like home. [Chorus] Give me back my life. I've been gone too long. Take these wings and take these claws. Put me back where I belong. I don't want another story. I don't need another name. I want to wake up in the morning And feel human once again. You can have your precious key. You can have this whole damn night. But you don't get one more year of me. Give me back my life. [Verse 3] You watched me running for the water. You watched me reach the shore. You couldn't turn my feet around. You can't do that anymore. Now here I am. You haven't moved. You're staring at my hand. I know how much you want what's in it. I think we understand. So don't reach out. Just start the mirror. Show me you can make it right. I'll put the key into your fingers When you give me back my life. No errand first. No one more journey. No favor down the line. I've carried everything you gave me. What's left of me is mine. [Bridge] I couldn't catch her when she fell. I couldn't make her stay. She came back just to give me One chance to get away. The captain gave up what he guarded For more years than I can count. I won't turn what they gave me Into one more trip back out. I'm trying hard to hold this steady. I'm trying not to shake. But I can barely hold the key. How much more can you take? I've told you what I want from you. I've made the bargain plain. Please don't make me wake up In this thing another day. [Final Chorus] Give me back my life. I've been gone too long. Take these wings and take these claws. Put me back where I belong. Keep the stories. Keep the legends. Let them say the Devil died. I just want to shut my eyes And wake up on the other side. You can have your precious key. I won't ask you twice. Please. I just want to be a man again. Give me back my life. [Outro] I held it tight against my chest. He pointed to a chair. I stayed beside the mirror, The key still in my care. My life. Then yours. I'm listening.