Idealist Touch - Frederick John

I learned a lesson

As I was waiting for the train

A gentleman of younger years

Ran past me, his face wrought with pain

He had blood on his jacket

It seemed his life was on the line

He turned back as I shouted after him

'If you want, you can leave all this behind'

(He said) 'I've been down this street a thousand times

I still carry a knife

Now you fill the air with your wise words

You ask if this is how I want to live my life?'

'No sir, it ain’t, I think you’ll find,

Finding a way out is all that’s on my mind

So let’s talk, realistically

Do you have another choice that you can offer me?

Will you heal my world with your idealist touch?

No?

I thought as much'

I could see he meant it Even though he knew it wrong

In a trap from which he can’t escape

And he knows this isn’t where he belongs

(I said) 'No one wants blood on the streets'

(He said) 'Surely you can see?

I’m in too deep, there’s no way out

It’s either them or me'

(He said) 'I've been down this street a thousand times

I still carry a knife

Now you fill the air with your wise words

You ask if this is how I want to live my life?'

'No sir, it ain’t, I think you’ll find,

Finding a way out is all that’s on my mind

So let’s talk, realistically

Do you have another choice that you can offer me?

Will you heal my world with your idealist touch?

No?

I thought as much'

(Guitar Solo)

There’s no way to save

Those who make their own path to an early grave

Those who seek to ensure violence remains on the streets

And bring the world so much pain

In truth, we have a second chance

So make sure this isn’t you

Because this story is all fiction

But round here, it might as well be true

(He said) 'I've been down this street a thousand times

I still carry a knife

Now you fill the air with your wise words

You ask if this is how I want to live my life?'

'No sir, it ain’t, I think you’ll find,

Finding a way out is all that’s on my mind

So let’s talk, realistically

Do you have another choice that you can offer me?

Will you heal my world with your idealist touch?

No?

I thought as much'