Dead man walking like a wind up toy,
Plodding, never plotting for the things that bring him joy,
Living in the movies like he's celluloid,
And then it's over, so roll the credits now.

Dead man standing single file in every line,
Gave up on the searching, he was scared of what he'd find,
Waiting waiting waiting for his stars to come aligned
And then it's over.

[chorus:]
But i don't wanna live like i'm heading to the grave,
No i don't wanna live that way,
I got a purpose and a plan, and i don't wanna live like a dead man.

Dead man live it up, it's just another show,
He knows she only loves him for his money and his blow,
It's like he never saw the sense in reaching past the status quo
And then it's over, and then he's underground.

Dead man shuffling down another city street,
Can't lift up his head and he can't pick up his feet.
You can see his resignation and acceptance of defeat
And then it's over.

[chorus:]
But i don't wanna live like i'm just another slave,
No i don't wanna live that way,
I got a purpose and a plan, and i don't wanna live like a dead man.

Stagnant and so sedentary (not until i'm dead and buried),
Lobotomized automatons (we ain't no sons of babylon),
Blinded by our gilded chains (let's make a mark not just a stain),
As long as we're alive there's life to live.

Dead man slipping through his twilight years,
Come to realize that he's never faced his fears,
But there ain't no second chances, just regret and bitter tears
And then it's over.

[chorus:]
But i don't wanna live like my life is just a cage,
No i don't wanna live that way,
I got a purpose and a plan, and i don't wanna live like a dead man.
No i don't wanna live like it's just another day,
No i don't wanna live that way,
I got a purpose and a plan, and i don't wanna live like a dead man.