Thirteen years old, addicted to cigarettes
And both his parents were scared
to death when he walked through the door
Baptized at twelve, laughed it off
And swore he pissed in the water that had cleansed his soul
We'd been breaking into cars, taking stereos
And there he goes, down the alleyway, shit's not the same
I miss the days when violence
and carelessness were no expense but shit's not the same

Your heart may beat but you're not alive
And it makes me sick to see you all strung out
Desperate you take what you've been deprived
Happiness in self destruction
Your heart may beat but you're not alive
And it makes me sick to see you all strung out
Desperate you take what you've been deprived
Happiness in self destruction

And do you remember the time you took
100 bucks from your momma's purse and we were so excited
But you came and got your older brother
to buy us some beer and it was so clear
I fucking hate myself for letting
you get hooked on all the shit that you were on
I promise you next time I'll be strong
I cherish you, I remember every time you bailed me out
And it's safe to say I won't be bailing now

Your heart may beat but you're not alive
And it makes me sick to see you all strung out
Desperate you take what you've been deprived
Happiness in self destruction
Your heart may beat but you're not alive
And it makes me sick to see you all strung out
Desperate you take what you've been deprived
Happiness in self destruction

Woah, woah
(Happiness in self destruction)
Woah, woah
(Happiness in self destruction)
Woah, woah
Your heart may beat but you're not alive
And it makes me sick to see you all strung out
Desperate you take what you've been deprived
Happiness in self destruction

Your heart may beat but you're not alive
And it makes me sick to see you all strung out
Desperate you take what you've been deprived
Happiness in self destruction
Your heart may beat but you're not alive
And it makes me sick to see you all strung out
Desperate you take what you've been deprived
Happiness in self destruction

So I just want to let you know
I understand why you want to part ways
money means a lot to you and I don't
write the words you want me to say
You may have a nice house and friends
who will hang out with you cause they know
you will buy them rounds but just remember
that your bank account won't come
with you when you're put down in the ground
You won't shut me up I have a vision and a voice
a story to tell and it will be told you have no choice
So you can keep our 12 royalty cheques
cause I doubt I see them anyway
I'll keep dressing and writing and saying
whatever the fuck I want to say
You manipulate the vulnerable and use them
to your advantage and I refuse to associate
myself with a crook but I'll try to manage my anger
and harsh thoughts 'cause they'll get me sidetracked
I just hope that this gives the next group of kids
with a dream a little heads up before sign
their souls away in a contract