Center Stage

(album: Indigo Girls - 1989)

Laughing in a crown of jewels,
Numbness from a scepter's wound.
Toss and Turn, I spin and learn,
"Catch yourself before you burn."
A joker's dance before the king,
Jangling beads, a silver ring.
Close your eyes and bare the sound,
Jumping up-falling down.

Falling, Falling, Falling, Falling down.
Look yourself in the eye before you drown.

Royal rebels discover you.
Trust? you turn there is no truth.
And circle, circle, why are you scared?
Why a smile instead of tears?
I'm gulping smoke to fade away.
Figures floating down to lay.
Meet the joker and the thief,
The king and queen but-no relief.

Falling, Falling, Falling, Falling down.
Look yourself in the eye before you drown.

"The king is in the counting house, counting out his money"
{Look yourself in the eye before you drown. Falling, Falling, Falling, Falling down.}

Falling, Falling, Falling, Falling down.
Look yourself in the eye before you drown.

"The queen is in her parlour, eating bread and honey"
{Look yourself in the eye before you drown. Falling, Falling, Falling, Falling down.}

Falling, Falling, Falling, Falling down.
Look yourself in the eye before you drown.

[instrumental]
"Mary had a little lamb"

I cross myself before I die
The leaping man, he asks me, "why?"
"Well your rhythm is off" I reply,
"Now you must dance the dance
That you imply!"
"Your actions will follow you full circle round,
Your actions will follow you full circle round,
Your actions will follow you full circle round,
Your actions will follow you full circle round,
The higher the leap, I said,
The harder the ground!"