All my friends say that I'm selfish
Who's to say that they're wrong
I spent a good time being selfless
Look at all the good it's done
I had a tongue that wouldn't speak
And a spine that wouldn't stand
All that I learned from being selfless
Who'd wish that on a man

All my friends they say I'm changing
From the man I once was
Hell, I can barely remember that boy
A midnight lamp, a burning fuzz

All my friends say I'm hasty
With woebegone apologies
I always took a certain pleasure
In meeting everybody's needs

But I learned myself in solitude
I straightened up
When the veil tore in two
Chubby and thin-skinned
But god how I grew
Oh god, how I grew
All my friends say I'm crazy
All the crazies call me friend
All of the liars beg my pardon
All of the beggars let me in

None of my friends know my secrets
And it's safer that way
I guess I'm writing myself blank checks
For when I choose to run away

But I learned myself in solitude
I straightened up
When the veil tore in two
Chubby and thin-skinned
But god how I grew
Oh god, how I grew