Shadow In The Shade

You were the brightest star

The night sky ever displayed

But in the early morning light,

You started to fade

You had a revolutionary vision

Of breaking down the barricades

But because you lacked the wisdom,

Your dreams were all betrayed

Wise men gave their counsel,

But the truth you did evade

You never heeded any of them

You were the renegade

You thought you were the biggest alligator

That ever cruised the everglades

But oh, now, you're just a shadow in the shade

So you left your small bowl far behind,

But now you wish that you had stayed

The big fish in this ocean

Have got you feelin' so afraid

Still you climbed on up the ladder

You thought you had it made,

But your confidence was shattered

By the song that a dreamer played

Your hand full of bloody diamonds

And your heart full of clubs and spades

You gambled with poor people's lives

Now through your conscience you must pay

Dogs barked their warnings

And even donkeys brayed

Oh, now, you're just a shadow in the shade

Oh, oh, oh, oh you're just a shadow in the shade

But it's you they'll be looking for in the heat of the day

Oh, oh, oh, oh you're just a shadow in the shade

But it's you they'll be looking for in the heat of the day

Then you had a little revelation

So you went on your crusade

But you were preaching to the converted

There was no one to persuade

Like the fool that struts and frets

He's out upon the stage

You gave your best performance

But no one follows your parade

To be back where you were

Now you'd give it all, your gold, your purse, your jade

But nobody wants to take that fall

There is no one willing to trade

Little children see right through you

They know it's all a charade

Oh man, you're just a shadow in the shade

Oh, oh, oh, oh you're just a shadow in the shade

But it's you they'll be looking for in the heat of the day

Oh, oh, oh, oh you're just a shadow in the shade

But it's you they'll be looking for in the heat of the day

Well you got your wake-up call

But it was a little too late

You thought you had handle on it all

When you were holding on the blade

Even so you just kept on working

Trying to earn an honest wage

But there is the price of everything

On the day that you got paid

When at last salvation found you

So worn out and dismayed

She was the image of perfection

In the sunlight well arrayed

She came dancing through the afternoon

You tried to reach out and touch her braids

But oh, man, you're just a shadow in the shade

Oh, oh, oh, oh you're just a shadow in the shade

But it's you they'll be looking for in the heat of the day

Oh, oh, oh, oh you're just a shadow in the shade

But it's you they'll be looking for in the heat of the day

Oh, oh, oh, oh you're just a shadow in the shade

But you'll return tonight at the end of the day