Long Abandoned Tracks

What you're working for's working against you
if what you give you're not getting back
though you follow their dream with a full head of steam
you're still not in the black
there's a junkyard full of rusted machines
that once were Cadillacs
driven by the lost and lonely
down some long-abandoned tracks.

He wanted to be a rock star
so much he acted like one
call it a shame when the top of your game
comes too early and you're too young
there's a record store dollar-bargain bin
of would-be stars and no-name acts
whose unplayed songs of silence lie
on some long-abandoned tracks.

She wanted to be a mother
but a scientist in her dreams
it comes with a price, every sacrifice
to be paid in full it seems
a family grows, goes their separate ways
all with clean clothes on their backs
a labcoat hangs for mother
down some long-abandoned tracks.

He's building a castle at low tide
well aware of the waves washing in
they're moving in a line, in a race against time
he wonders, too late to begin?
can't right recall how he got way out here
but this is no time to relax
ankle-deep he's staring now
down some long-abandoned tracks.

She's counting the days in years now
and wonders where the time has gone
it's a vanishing scene but long live the queen
for the noble job she's done
if fairytales end when the books are closed
and gently slipped back on the racks
tell it to the characters dancing
down some long-abandoned tracks.

There's a story that says they get there
staying true to the path they choose
with the courage to say they're not going to pay
for an offer they can't refuse
if somebody asks what e'er became of them
just say they lived it to the max
you'll find them quiet and peaceful
down some long-abandoned tracks.

everybody gets one free pass
down their long-abandoned tracks.