"Chris Knox, this is John Darnielle,out here in North Carolina, sending you all the power -- any reserves of power I might have that will help you up the hill. But I know you can go there, because I used to watch you every night in 1995, when we were in the back of a van together, and think, 'That guy's got some power.' So I know you have it and I know that you will climb up on your two magnificent feet..."
Color me red
Color me coal
Wrap me in black
Or a snide acid green
Tell me I'm bad
Tell me I'm sick
Scream out your hate
Be obsessed and obscene
Bind me with love
Tie me with wire
Wrap me in gauze
And then watch as I bleed
Poison your kiss
k** my desire
Deliver me pain
And ignore all my needs
I will not change
I will not alter
Staple my eyes
Thrill to my shins
Gag me with lead
And tear out all my nails
Razor my tongue
Sew up my mouth
Feed me disease
So my functioning fails
I will not change
I will not alter
For I am Man
And I am strong
Do all this to me
I just don't care
Blood is my wine
And fear is my friend
But please do not say
I am not hard
Don't say I can yield
Don't say I can bend
I will not change
I will not alter
For I am man
And I am strong
I cannot sway
I cannot falter
I must be Man
I can't be wrong
It's your f**ing fault
You and your doubts
Made me like this
Colored me Man, Colored me Man