from the album "Year Zero"
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
Down on your knees, you'll be left behind, this is the beginning.Watch what you think, they can read your mind, this is the beginning.
I got my mark, see it in my eyes, this is the beginning.
Well, my reflection I don't recognise, this is the beginning.
We think we climb so high up all the backs we've condemned;
We face our consequence, this is the beginning of the end.
You wait your turn, you'll be last in line, this is the beginning.
Get out the way cause I'm getting mine, this is the beginning.
God helps the ones that can help themselves, this is the beginning.
May be too late as far as I can tell, this is the beginning.
We think we've come so far, on all our lies we depend;
Facing our consequence, this is the beginning of the end.
SURVIVALISM
I should have listened to her, so hard to keep control, we kept on eating but our bloated belly's still not full.She gave us all she had but we went and took some more, can't seem to shut her legs, our mother nature is a whore.
I got my propaganda, I got revisionism, I got my violence in hi-def ultra-realism.
All a part of this great nation, I got my fist, I got my plan, I got survivalism.
Hypnotic sound of sirens echoing through the street, the cocking of the rifles, the marching of the feet.
You see your world on fire, don't try to act surprised, we did just what you told us,
Lost our faith along the way and found ourselves believing your lies.
I got my propaganda, I got revisionism, I got my violence in hi-def ultra-realism.
All a part of this great nation, I got my fist, I got my plan, I got survivalism.
All bruised and broken, bleeding, she asked to take my hand.
I turn, just keep on walking, what, you'd do the same thing in the circumstance, I'm sure you'll understand.
THE GOOD SOLDIER
Gunfire in the street where we used to meet echoes out a beat and the bass goes 'bomb'Right over my head, step over the dead, remember what you said, you know the part about life
Is just a waking dream, well I know what you mean, but that ain't how it seems right here, and now,
How can all this be real? I can barely feel anymore.
I am trying to see, I am trying to believe; this is not where I should be, I am trying to believe.
Blood hardens in the sand, cold metal in my hand, help you understand the way that things are gonna be.
There's nowhere left to hide cause God is on our side, I keep telling myself.
I am trying to see, I am trying to believe; this is not where I should be, I am trying to believe.
VESSEL
I let you put it in my mouth, I let it get under my skin,I let you pump it through my veins, I let you take me from within.
They tell us what we can and cannot do, same thing we've heard a hundred times before,
When I put you inside of me none of that matters anymore.
My God, can it go any faster? Oh my God, I don't think I can last here.
I am you and you are me, we will never be alone.
I have finally found my place in everything, I have finally found my home.
I can leave all of the flesh behind, I can see right through this whole façade,
I am becoming something else, I am turning into God.
My God, can it go any faster? Oh my God, I don't think I can last here.
ME, I'M NOT
And it's happening, never planned on this, you got something I need, kind of dangerous,And I'm losing control, I'm not used to this, what you want from me, I'm not used to this.
I can't shut it off, this thing I've begun, and it's hard to tell just where it's coming from,
And it's hard to see what I'm capable of, and it's hard to believe just what I've become.
Hey, can we stop? Me, I'm not.
I can swallow it down, keep it all inside, I define myself by how well I hide.
I feel it coming apart, well, at least I tried, I can win this war by knowing not to fight.
If I take it all back someway, somehow, if I knew back then what I know right now.
Hey, can we stop? Me, I'm not.
CAPITAL G
I pushed a button and elected him to office and he pushed the button and it dropped a bomb.You pushed a button and could watch in on the television, those motherfuckers didn't last too long.
I'm sick of hearing about the haves and the have-nots, have some personal accountability.
The biggest problem with the way that we've been doing things is the more we let you have the less that I'll be keeping for me.
Well, I used to stand for something, now I'm on my hands and knees.
Traded in my god for this one, and he signs his name with a capital G.
Don't give a shit about the temperature in Guatemala, don't really see what all the fuss is about.
Ain't gonna worry about no future generations and I'm sure somebody's gonna figure it out.
Don't try to tell me that some power can corrupt a person, you haven't had enough to know what it's like.
You're only angry cause you wish you were in my position, you nod your head cause you know that I'm right, alright.
Well, I used to stand for something, forgot what that could be.
There's a lot of me inside you, maybe you're afraid to see.
Well, I used to stand for something, now I'm on my hands and knees.
Traded in my god for this one, and he signs his name with a capital G.
MY VIOLENT HEART
You and I, we may look the same but we are very far apart.There's bullet holes where my compassion used to be and there is violence in my heart.
Into fire you can send us, from the fire we return, you can label us a consequence of how much you have to learn.
You can try but you'll never understand, this is something you will never understand.
Can you hear it now, hear it coming now, can you hear it now?
On hands and knees we crawl, you cannot stop us all; our bones, our skin, we will not let you in.
You have set something in motion much greater than you've ever known,
Standing there in all your grand naïveté about to reap what you have sown.
Time will feed upon your weaknesses and soon you'll lose the will to care.
When you return to the place that you call home, we will be there.
On hands and knees we crawl, you cannot stop us all; our blood will stay, we will not go away.
On hands and knees we crawl, you cannot stop us all; our blood, our grace, will never leave this place.
THE WARNING
Some say it was a warning, some say was a sign; I was standing right there when it came down from the sky.The way it spoke to us, you felt it from inside, said it was up to us, up to us to decide.
You've become a virus that's killing off its host, we've been watching you with all of our eyes and what you seem to value most.
So much potential, or so we used to say; your greed, self-importance and your arrogance, you piss it all way.
We heard her cry, we've come to intervene, you will change your ways and you will make amends and we will wipe this place clean.
Your time is ticking away.
GOD GIVEN
Hey man, please don't make a sound, take a look around, can't you see what's right in front of you?Have a little taste, no more time to waste, you don't want to get left behind because it's all coming down right now.
How hard is it to see, put your faith in me I sure wouldn't want to be praying to the wrong piece of wood.
You should get where you belong, everything you know is wrong, come on, sing along, everybody now, god given.
And he gives us sight and we see the light and it burns so bright, now we know we're right.
When his kingdom come and thy will be done, we have just begun, we're the chosen ones.
(I would never tell you anything that wasn't absolutely true
that hadn't come right from his mouth and he wants me to tell you.)
Wait, step into the light, how can this be right? I'm afraid we're going to ask you to leave.
Guess you cannot win, with the colour of your skin you won't be getting into the Promised Land.
Besides, this is just another case, you people still don't know your place, step aside, out the way, wipe that look off your face,
Cause we are the divine, separated from the swine, come on, sing along, everybody now, god given.
And he gives us sight and we see the light and it burns so bright, now we know we're right.
When his kingdom come and thy will be done and the father and the holy son, we're the chosen ones.
MEET YOUR MASTER
Bow down in position against the polished steel; this is something different, you'll like the way this feels.No time for asking questions, no time for wondering; we've heard enough from you now, we've heard everything.
We're gonna play a new game, you'll put on this blindfold, you'll do what we tell you, you'll do as you're told.
Used to be the leader, but now comes the time to serve; maybe we'll show some mercy, maybe you get what you deserve.
Countdown to the end, got to make it come faster, right around the bend is a coming disaster.
Countdown to the end and we're headed there faster, come on down, my friend, it's time to meet your master.
You've left quite a mess here under your stewardship; you thought you figured it out but you'll learn your place in this.
Might take some convincing for you to see the truth, there are so many things we've got in store for you.
Countdown to the end, got to make it come faster, right around the bend is a coming disaster.
Countdown to the end and we're headed there faster, come on down, my friend, it's time to meet your master.
THE GREATER GOOD
Breathe us in, slowly, slowly.Everything you do, everywhere you go, anything we want, anything.
Persuasion, coercion, submission, assimilation.
Breathe us in, slowly, slowly.
THE GREAT DESTROYER
Say your name, try to speak as clearly as you can, you know everything gets written down.Nod your head just in case they could be watching with their shiny satellites.
I hope they cannot see the limitless potential living inside of me to murder everything.
I hope they cannot see I am the great destroyer.
Turn it up, listen to the shit they pump into your head, filling you with apathy.
Hold your breath, wait until you know the time is right on time, the end is near.
I hope they cannot see the limitless potential living inside of me to murder everything.
I hope they cannot see I am the great destroyer.
IN THIS TWILIGHT
Watch the sun as it crawls across a final time, and it feels like it was a friend.If it's watching us and the world we set on fire, do you wonder if it feels the same?
And the sky is filled with light, can you see it? All the black is really white if you believe it.
As the time is running out, let me take away your doubt, we can find a better place in this twilight.
Dust to dust, ashes in your hair remind me what it feels like, and I won't feel again.
Night descends, could I have been a better person? If I could only do it all again.
And the sky is filled with light, can you see it? All the black is really white if you believe it,
And the longing that you feel, you know none of this is real, you will find a better a place in this twilight.
ZERO-SUM
They're starting to open up the sky, they're starting to reach down through,And it feels like we're living in that split second of a car crash, and time is slowing down,
And if we only had a little more time, and this time is all there is.
Do you remember the time we…? And all the times we…? And should have…? And were going to…?
I know and I know you remember how we could justify it all,
And we knew better, in our hearts we knew better, and we told ourselves it didn't matter, and we chose to continue,
And none of that matters anymore in the hour of our twilight,
And soon it will be all said and done and we will all be back together as one, if we will continue at all.
Shame on us, doomed from the start, may God have mercy on our dirty little hearts.
Shame on us, for all we've done, and all we ever were, just zeroes and ones.
And you never get away, and you never get to take the easy way,
And all of this is a consequence brought on by our own hand, if you believe in that sort of thing.
And did you ever really find when you closed your eyes anyplace that was still and at peace?
And I guess I just wanted to tell you as the lights start to fade that you are the reason that I am not afraid,
And I guess I just wanted to mention as the heavens will fall, we will be together soon, if we will be anything at all.
Shame on us, doomed from the start, may God have mercy on our dirty little hearts.
Shame on us, for all we've done, and all we ever were, just zeroes and ones.
from the album "The Slip"
1,000,000
Kind of hard, hard to see when you crawl on your hands and your knees,With your face in the trough, wait your turn while they finish you off.
Don't know when it started, don't know how, should have found out, should have happened by now.
Got these lines on my face, after all this time and I still haven't found my place.
I jump from every rooftop, so high, so far to fall,
I feel a million miles away, I don't feel any thing at all.
I wake up on the floor, start it up again, like it matters anymore,
I don't know if it does, is this really all that there ever was?
Put the gun in my mouth, close your eyes, blow my fucking brains out,
Pretty patterns on the floor, that's enough for you but I still need more.
I jump from every rooftop, so high, so far to fall,
I feel a million miles away, I don't feel any thing at all.
LETTING YOU
The sky is painted black, the smoke pours out the stack, one hand upon your heart, one hand behind your back.You train us how to act, you keep the fear intact, the imminent attack, everything is right on track.
And we are letting you get away with it.
Upon our plates to feed, the dying left to bleed, how much we really need, your politics of greed.
The cancer takes a hold, the wolf is in the fold, our destiny's been sold, we do just what we're told.
And we are letting you get away with it.
Your armies filled with hate, believing your charade, begin to suffocate, for us it's far too late.
And we are letting you get away with it.
DISCIPLINE
Am I still tough enough, feels like I'm wearing down, is my viciousness losing ground?Am I taking too much, did I cross the line, I need my role in this very clearly defined.
I need your discipline, I need your help; I need your discipline, you know once I start I cannot help myself.
And now it's starting up, feels like I'm losing touch; nothing matters to me, nothing matters as much.
I see you left a mark up and down my skin, I don't know where I end and where you begin.
I need your discipline, I need your help; I need your discipline, you know once I start I cannot help myself.
And you know that once I start I can not stop myself.
I need your discipline, I need your help; I need your discipline because once I start I cannot stop myself.
ECHOPLEX
Nice and high and far apart, just like they said.I built this place with broken parts, just like they said.
You chip away the old version of you, you'd be surprised at what you can do.
I'm safe in here and we'll have fun, just like they said.
My voice just echoes off these walls.
You feel me breathe, I am watching you, I see it all.
The many ways you can get to me, I see them all.
I see the hell you put yourself through, all the things I could do if I wanted to.
My voice just echoes off these walls, I don't need anything at all.
And I just slowly fade away.
You will never ever get to me in here.
HEAD DOWN
You, what you looking at, head down, too late for that.What you want, what you get, know your place, don't ever forget.
And this is not my face, and this is not my life, and there is not a single thing here I can recognise.
And this is all a dream, and none of you are real, I'd give anything.
Hey you, what you running from? All your hate, what you've become.
Bet you didn't think it would happen to you, all used up halfway through.
And this is not my face, and this is not my life, and there is not a single thing here I can recognise.
And this is all a dream, and none of you are real, and I'd give anything, you know I'd give anything.
LIGHTS IN THE SKY
She's mostly gone, some other place, I'm getting by in other ways.Everything they whispered in our ear is coming true, try to justify the things I used to do, believe in you.
Watching you drown, I'll follow you down, and I am here right beside you.
The lights in the sky have finally arrived, I am staying right beside you.
I tried to stay away just in case, I've come to realise we all have our place.
Time has a way to make it clear, and I have my role in this, I can't disappear or leave you here.
Watching you drown, I'll follow you down, and I am here right beside you.
The lights in the sky are waving goodbye, and I am staying right beside you.
DEMON SEED
It keeps growing and I can feel it breathe, I have been trying to behave myself.It keeps growing and I can feel it breathe, I have been trying to tolerate you.
Well, I am reaching the point.
I will use my voice and I will use my fist to destroy everything I can.
Now I know what this is all about, now I know exactly what I am.
There is a seed inside of me.
from the NIN|JA 2009 Tour sampler
NOT SO PRETTY NOW
You left your opening open wide, then you let everyone come inside.There's always something you got to hide, so you lied and you lied.
Make sure you grab everything that you need, you've got a hole that you've got to feed.
You try to fill it all up with your greed but it bleeds and it bleeds.
Go take a little more, we'll scrape you off the floor.
We love you anyhow, but you're not so pretty now.
A great big superstar is what you think you are.
We love you anyhow, but you're not so pretty now.
Nobody burns quite as bright, well goddamn, maybe you're right.
There's always battles there for you to fight and you might, you just might.
But there is something I've got to say, there is a price you're gonna pay.
Try as hard as you can to stay, you're just fading and fading the fuck away.
Go take a little more, we'll scrape you off the floor.
We love you anyhow, but you're not so pretty now.
A great big superstar is what you think you are.
We love you anyhow, but you're not so pretty now.
Better turn the lights down low, the cracks begin to show.
We love you anyhow, but you're not so pretty now.
And soon you will be gone, and we will all move on.
You never mattered anyhow, and you're not so pretty now.
NON-ENTITY
The sky is not the same shade of blue, every single thing I believe isn't true.Missing in the maze of monochrome, how did I get here, how can I go home?
The echoes in my eyes, of all they used to see, burning down the world, the ashes and debris,
And all that's left of me, non-entity.
Try to stay in line, try to obey, the ghost of what I was keeps getting in the way.
Staring at the sun, I'm blinded by the light, now I'm afraid I'm fading out of sight.
The echoes in my eyes, of all they used to see, burning down the world, ashes and debris,
And all that's left of you and all that's left of me, all have washed away, non-entity.
from the album "(Ӑhk-tŏŏng Bāy-bi) Covered"
ZOO STATION
I'm ready for the laughing gas, I'm ready for what's next,I'm ready to duck, I'm ready to dive, I'm ready to say I'm glad to be alive,
I'm ready for the push.
The cool of the night, the warmth of the breeze, I'll be crawling around on my hands and knees.
Zoo Station.
I'm ready for the gridlock, I'm ready to take it to the street,
I'm ready for the shuffle, ready for the deal, ready to let go of the steering wheel,
I'm ready for the crush.
(It's alright.)
Time is a train, makes the future the past,
Leaves you standing in the station with your face pressed up against the glass.
Zoo Station.
from the album "Hesitation Marks"
COPY OF A
I am just a copy of a copy, everything I say has come before; assembled into something, I don't know for certain anymore.I am just a shadow of a shadow, always trying to catch up with myself; I am just an echo of an echo, listening to someone's cry for help.
Look what you had to start, why all the change of heart?
You need to play your part, a copy of a copy of a.
Look what you've gone and done, well, that doesn't sound like fun,
See, I'm not the only one, a copy of a copy of a.
I am little pieces, pieces that were picked up on the way, imprinted with a purpose, a purpose that's become quite clear today.
Look what you had to start, why all the change of heart?
You need to play your part, a copy of a copy of a.
Look what you've gone and done, well, that doesn't sound like fun,
See, I'm not the only one, a copy of a copy of a.
I am just a finger on a trigger on a finger, doing everything I'm told to do,
Always my intention, my intention, your attention, just doing everything you tell me to.
CAME BACK HAUNTED
(Haunted.)The throat is deep and the mouth is wide, saw some things on the other side.
Made me promise to never tell; you know me, I can't help myself, no.
Now I got something you have to see, they put something inside of me,
Its smile is red and its eyes are black, I don't think I'll be coming back.
I don't believe and I had to see it, I came back haunted; I said goodbye but I had to try, I came back haunted.
Everywhere now reminding me I am not who I used to be.
I'm afraid this has just begun, consequences for what I've done.
I don't believe and I had to see it, I came back haunted; I said goodbye, I had to try, I came back haunted.
They tried to tell me but I couldn't stop myself, and I came back haunted.
Just can't stop, came back haunted, just can't stop.
FIND MY WAY
Lord, my path has gone astray, I'm just trying to find my way.Wandered here from far away, I'm just trying to find my way.
You were never meant to see all those things inside of me.
Now that you have gone away, I'm just trying to find my way.
I have made a great mistake, pray the Lord my soul to take.
Ghosts of who we used to be, I can feel them come for me.
It looks as though they're here to stay, I'm just trying to find my way.
I have been to every place, I have been to everywhere,
I'm just trying to find my way, oh dear Lord, hear my prayer.
ALL TIME LOW
Go, I've heard all I need to know, your voice in fucking echo stereo,This particular scenario looks like another all time low.
Why did you go and let them in? See, this is where the fun begins.
You've barely even pierced the skin, just wait til you see what is coming.
Get down on the floor, shut the goddamn door, been down this road before, we're coming back for more.
So give me just a little, baby, just something to get by; it's gonna last forever, baby, we'll get the other side.
And we will live forever, baby, and stretch across the sky; I'll follow right behind you, baby, we're never gonna die.
Hey, everything is not okay, we lost too much along the way.
The passengers arrived today, it looks as though they're here to stay.
This paranoia turns to fear, just who is whispering in your ear?
Pretending but I know you hear, just how'd we fucking end up here?
So give me just a little, baby, just something to get by; it's gonna last forever, baby, we'll get the other side.
And we will live forever, baby, and stretch across the sky; I'll follow right behind you, baby, we're never gonna die.
We're never gonna die, how did we get so high, stretch across the sky.
DISAPPOINTED
If I were you I wouldn't trust a single word I say, think by now you should know nothing's gonna change.Can I ask you something, what did you expect? So disappointed with what you get.
Do you ever want to just get out of here? So disappointed, you disappear.
Look at you, Superman, with all the world to save, you'd think by now you'd figure out that nothing's gonna change, and I am part of the reason.
Can I ask you something, what did you expect? So disappointed with what you get.
Do you ever want to just get out of here? So disappointed, you disappear.
EVERYTHING
I survived everything, I have tried everything, everything and anything.All the walls begin to dissolve away, feel your hands begin to shake.
And just who do you think you used to be, all begins to bend and break.
Wave goodbye, wish me well, I've become something else, it's just as well.
But this thing that lives inside of me will surely rise and wake,
And his seed that bleeds right through to me and he comes to grab and take.
I am home, I believe, I am home, I am free; I am whole, I can see, always here, finally.
SATELLITE
Data trails, like fingernails, scratch across the sky; hard to know, figure out, tell the truth from lies.Everywhere, listening, every word you say; think I found a way around, yeah I think I found a way, come on.
Satellite, I'm watching you, I'm one step ahead; satellite, I'm part of you, I'm inside your head.
Yes we can, yes we did, eliminate the spread; better watch what you think, what was that you said?
Everywhere and everything and every word you say, think I found a way around, I think I found a way, come on.
Satellite, I'm watching you, I'm one step ahead; satellite, I'm part of you, I'm inside your head.
Satellite, I know you're up there somewhere (so very high).
VARIOUS METHODS OF ESCAPE
Hallucinate in high fidelity, the pieces of a plan, construction of the highest quality, the blood from my own hand.A line of lyric looping in my head, nobody listening, guess it doesn't really matter anymore, guess it doesn't mean a thing.
I've got to let go, I've got to get straight, why'd you have to make it so hard? Let me get away.
An effigy so wondrous to behold, statements so profound, a place to bury everything I did and burn it to the ground.
A fire illuminates the final scene, the past repeats itself, I cannot tell the difference anymore, I cannot trust myself.
I've got to let go, I've got to get straight, why'd you have to make it so hard? Let me get away.
I think I could lose myself in here.
Got to let him go, find another way, why'd you have to make this so hard? Let me get away.
RUNNING
I followed you again this morning, just close enough to feel you near, pretending everyone could see me, just slip away and disappear.They're right behind, they're so inclined, they're all aligned, we're undermined, as good as blind, I'm out of time,
So hard to find, so well-defined, they're all aligned, they're intertwined, we're undermined, they're so inclined,
They're right behind, so hard to find, as good as blind, I'm out of time.
I'm running out of places I can hide from this.
I had a friend I think who knew me, I couldn't seem to make him stay, I know they're watching, waiting for me, I know I'll never get away.
I'm running out of places I can hide from this, I'll never get away.
I WOULD FOR YOU
What a pathetic string of words, just leave them lying on the floor,The warning posted on the door, not over here, not anymore.
There was a place that could have been, step over all it used to be.
Since you have let yourself come in, some things I'd rather you not see.
See, I keep lying to myself, don't know what else there is to do.
If I can be somebody else, well, I think I would for you.
Didn't it seem like something more, so long I can't remember when?
All this has happened all before, and this will happen all again, and I only have myself to blame.
See, I keep lying to myself, don't know what else there is to do.
If I can be somebody else, well, I think I would for you.
IN TWO
Split into something else, shed precious skin, save yourself; bleed, have to purge what you were, yes, of course it's gonna hurt.Nature is violent, the very nature of this is violent, no, that was someone else, no, that wasn't me, no.
It's getting harder to tell the two of you apart, I don't believe you can even remember which one you are.
Thrive, just become your disease, leave them behind, you are free; take what you want, you deserve, yes, of course this is gonna hurt.
It's getting harder to tell the two of you apart, I don't believe you can even remember which one you are.
I just don't know anymore.
WHILE I'M STILL HERE
Only thing I've ever done, closest I've ever come, oh so tired on my own, best days I've ever known (ticking, time is running out).Yesterday I found out the world was ending.
A little more every day falls apart and slips away, well I don't mind, I'm okay, wish it didn't have to end this way.
These four walls are closing in, oh all the things that might have been,
Watch young lovers walking by, God forgive me if I cry (ticking, time is running out).
A little more every day falls apart and slips away, I don't mind, I'm okay, nothing ever stays the same.
Well, while we can remember when, always running even then; stay with me, hold me near while I'm still here.
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