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