[Verse 1]
I watched the rise and the fall of the common man
I lived to see all our steps walked back
I watched the walls all crash down, crumblin'
Just to be rebuilt while we slept, oh-oh
We threw swords in the oceans, wide and deep
We promised peace, but the peace won't last
'Cause now we forge new blades so nervously
Waitin' for this harmony to pass

[Pre-Chorus]
I stand guard and roam
Like a sentinel
And I see it all

[Chorus]
I've been awake too long (Awake too long)
Wish there was something that could close my eyes (Awake too long)
To all that I see
Awake too long (Awake too long)
It would be easier to fall asleep

[Verse 2]
We fell in love, but the love kept running out
We followed roads, but the roads all end
We lived and learned, and learned to live without
Falling from the ladders we ascend, oh-oh
I've seen the eyes of the widows left behind
I've seen the child of a fallen man
And never once did our leaders apologize
For battles they began
[Pre-Chorus]
I can't look away (I can't look away)
Or pretend not to see
And so I stay

[Chorus]
I've been awake too long (Awake too long)
Wish there was something that could close my eyes (Awake too long)
To all that I see
Awake too long (Awake too long)
It would be easier to fall asleep
Asleep

[Bridge]
Maybe I would dream if I could sleep
Maybe I'd see what this could be
Instead of what it is, oh
And is there bliss in ignorance?
Is this our demise we can't prevent?
Should we fall asleep?
I've been awake too long
I've been awake too long
I've been awake too long
I've been awake too long

[Outro]
(I've been awake too long)
And like constant vigils, we are
(I've been awake too long)
Burning eternal flames
(I've been awake too long)
A surgery, blades in an open heart
(I've been awake too long)
And through it all
Every single cut I've been awake