Don McLean - The Pride Parade lyrics

It started out quite simply
As complex things can do
A set of sad transparencies 'til
No one could see through
But least of all the one inside
Behind the iron glass
A prisoner of all your dreams
That never come to pass

Alone you stand corrupted by the
Vision that you sought
And blinded by your hunger all
Your appetites are bought
But in spite of what becomes of you
Your image will remain
A reminder of your constant loss
A symbol of your gain

And your friends are together
Where the people are all gathered
All along the road you traveled all your days

And soon you have succumbed to
What the others all believe
And though the lie affects them
Still it's you that they deceive
And all at once you're lost
Within the emptiness of you
And there's no one left who's near enough
To tell you what to do

You're left with nothing but your
Self-potential in the dark
Like tinder resting on a rock
Protected from the spark
But your fire just consumes you
You alone can feel the pain
And you stand in all your glory
And you know you can't complain

But your friends are together
Where the people are all gathered
All along the road you traveled all your days

But you are surely just as evil as
The worst my tongue can tell
For you'll never face my heaven
And I'll not endure your hell
You have lost the chance to mingle
With your constant quiet lies
Deceptions hidden with your lips
But spoken with your eyes

For I know you for what you are not
For that's really all you are
And your talents of a minor order
Seem to stretch too far
And we both know that this masquerade
Can't carry on too long
You're deep inside the pride parade
But where do you belong?

And your friends are together
Where the people are all gathered
All along the road you traveled all your days