Votive Lives Songtext
von Witheren

Living vicariously through my TV screen
Watching death unfold, wars and crowd-control
No, my breath won′t hold
I know how this one ends
But for a precious little moment then

I'm a landmine, a sleeper agent
Biding my time and scoping the moment

A heckler with a cosh
In the angry audience
Of this worldwide shit show
As the mob at the gates grows, we′re

Not all here for the same reason
Some cut and run, after taking what they can
Some set to die, for a ticket to the other side
Some sacrifice all for they still care
And believe the smallest life stripped bare is worth more than


More than money
More than fame
More than power
More than more of the same

Shit cut to fit
An outdated altar
Where we deposit
Our souls on offer
Flicker in the wind
Like votive candles
Lay what we gained
What we panhandle
At the feet of rebranded gods
Or cast down wishing wells
Killing ourselves for

Trinkets, traditions
Fashions and icons
Heroes and legends
Crackdowns, rebellions
Institutions
Civilisations
Cultures, empires
Or the next generation of


Nobels and nobles
Passionate leaders
Spiritual shareholders
And smart computers

But our lives mean so much more
Than all the treasures you can hoard
Expect no loyalty
I'll always be untrue to thee

Not just a teenage phase
Not just an empty phrase
However forlorn
I signed no contract, swore no oath
The day that I was born

This is my non-contribution
Enjoy its lack of return on investment
For a precious little moment