I was born on a side road far from here
While the town was burning out my dark window
I was crowned with a cage of cold barbed wire
And my bottle I keep with me even till now

Curse my pain, curse the sunrise every dawn
Those sidewalks ran me ragged, those cracks my only guide
Long for midnight, long for darkness sweet release
Beg the alleys for your endless time to cease

Screaming blackbird on my shoulders
Mark my nearness to his youth
Left my senses reeling as he cried, "I understand you"
(Sweet release, sweet release)

Try the handle, try the doorway, try the path
Try to enter, to enter and to find some solace there, there
In this clearing, you'll find nothing but a song
Give it breath, give it sunshine and with you it will belong, belong

It will whisper, it will stir a gentle breeze, its hands are your hands
They will take you where you please, if you please
Will you choose to be gentle? It's just your life whatever you feel
Are we blind for a reason or is it just to make it real, real?
(Sweet release, sweet release)

Show me do, give me seashells for my ears
Tell your neighbors and forgive them for their fears
(Sweet release, sweet release, sweet release)