the excuses turn to makeup and know what man i am i boast my silly knowledge and crucify my friends it s only looking back on my crooked footprints i break myself a promise not to do that again the stage hands are all gone the curtain still remains it hides the puppeteer oh pulling on my strings i could swear i m in control i could make a judge convinced but i know my spirit quit i don t wanna be your bargaining chip the organ pleases no one the piano is pulling teeth the guitar is strung with nothing and never makes a beep it s only now i laugh while the master takes a break who s counting all those tickets who s drooling on the stage the sound men are all gone the curtain still remains it hides the puppeteer oh pulling on my strings i could swear i m in control i could make a judge convinced but i know my spirit quit i don t wanna be your bargaining chip the stage hands are all gone the curtain still remains it hides the puppeteer pulling on my strings i could swear i m in control i could make a judge convinced but i know that my spirit quit i don t wanna be your bargaining chip your bargaining chip