Louder Than Words
Jonathan Larson
[JON]
Why do we play with fire?
Why do we run our finger through the flame?
Why do we leave our hand on the stove
Although we know, we're in for some pain?

Oh, why do we refuse to hang a light
When the streets are dangerous?
Why does it take an accident
Before the truth gets through to us?

Cages or wings
Which do you prefer?
Ask the birds

Fear or love, baby
Don't say the answer
Actions speak louder than words

[MICHAEL]
Why should we try to be our best
When we can just get by and still gain?
Why do we nod our heads
[MICHAEL and JON]
Although we know

[MICHAEL]
The boss is wrong as rain?

[JON]
Why should we blaze a trail
When the well worn path seems safe and

[JON and SUSAN]
So inviting?

[SUSAN]
How, as we travel, can we

[JON and SUSAN]
See the dismay
And keep from fighting?

[JON]                               [MICHAEL and SUSAN]
Cages or wings,             Cages or wings
Which do you prefer?
Ask the birds                   Ah:

[ALL]
Fear or love, baby
Don't say the answer
[JON]
Actions speak louder than
(Louder than, louder than)
Words

What does it take
To wake up a generation?

[ALL]
How can you make someone
Take off and fly?

[JON]
If we don't wake up
And shake up the nation
We'll eat the dust
Of the world wondering why

[SUSAN]
Why do we stay with lovers

[SUSAN and JON]
Who we know, down deep

[SUSAN]
Just aren't right?
[JON]
Why would we rather

[ALL]
Put ourselves through hell
Than sleep alone at night?

[JON]
Why do we follow leaders who never lead?

[MICHAEL]
Why does it take catastrophe to start a revolution

[MICHAEL and SUSAN]
If we're so free?
Tell me why

[JON]
Someone tell me why
So many people bleed

[JON]                               [MICHAEL and SUSAN]
Cages or wings,             Cages or wings
Which do you prefer?
Ask the birds                   Ah:

[ALL]
Fear or love, baby
Don't say the answer

[JON]                                        [MICHAEL and SUSAN]
Actions speak louder than     Louder than, Louder than
Louder than, Louder than

[ALL]
Cages or wings
Which do you prefer?

[JON]                          [MICHAEL and SUSAN]
Ask the birds             Ah:

[ALL]
Fear or love, baby
Don't say the answer

[JON]                                   [MICHAEL and SUSAN]
Actions speak louder        Louder than, Louder than
They speak louder            Louder than, Louder than
Actions speak louder than...!

[On some copies, this track ends like in the live show: Jon plays Happy Birthday on the piano, and the band plays the last chord, without the sentence finishing itself. On others, everyone does, in fact, sing:]

[ALL]
Words!
Write the lyrics for a rock song made in 2007, titled "Louder Than Words", by artist "Jonathan Larson".