Actor takes a bow on a deserted stage To an absent crowd, it's closing night Before an angry mirror in a dressing room The more he tries, the more he fights, the more he seems to lose His life is on the line, so try and understand When they let the curtain down Let's all clap our hands for Napoleon in rags Poet writes his lines, just a train of thought Imprisoned by his rhymes, sold to rock'n'roll Sticker on a Volvo, messiah Lizard King Wearin' a crown of thorns, hell, it doesn't mean a thing His life is on the line, so try and understand When they let the curtain down Let's all clap our hands for Napoleon in rags Shaken by the quake, like a house of cards Your mansion's just a word, you're just a falling star Go on and face your Waterloo, 'cause nothing's built to last And he's faceless, and he's nameless And he's wordless, and he's blameless He's the one will never know His life is on the line, so try and understand When they let the curtain down Let's all clap our hands for Napoleon in rags