When I Fall

by Barenaked Ladies

From the album: Born on a Pirate Ship

Track 5 of 14 on Born on a Pirate Ship (1996).

Duration: 4:04

Born on a Pirate Ship cover art

Lyrics for When I Fall

I look straight in the window, try not to look below Pretend I'm not up here, I try counting sheep But the sheep seem to shower off this office tower It's 9.8 straight down, I can't stop my knees I wish I could fly From this building, from this wall And if I should try Would you catch me, if I fall? My hands clench the squeegee, my secular rosary Hang on to your wallet, hang on to your rings Can't look below me, or something will throw me I curse at the windstorms that October brings I look straight in the boardroom, a modern Pharaoh's tomb I'd gladly swap places, if they care to dive They're lined up at the window, peer down into limbo They're frightened of jumping, in case they survive I wish I could step from this scaffold Onto soft green pastures, shopping malls, or bed With my family, and my pastor, and my grandfather who's dead Look straight in the mirror, watch it come clearer I look like a painter, behind all the grease But painting's creating, and I'm just erasing A crystal-clear canvas is my masterpiece I wish I could fly From this building, from this wall And if I should try Would you catch me, if I fall? When I fall?

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More from Born on a Pirate Ship

  1. Stomach vs. Heart
  2. Straw Hat and Old Dirty Hank
  3. I Know
  4. This Is Where It Ends
  5. When I Fall
  6. I Live with It Every Day
  7. The Old Apartment
  8. Call Me Calmly
  9. Break Your Heart
  10. Spider in My Room
  11. Same Thing
  12. Just a Toy
  13. In the Drink
  14. Shoebox