Teach me to follow, Teach me to lead
Teach me to stand up, And how to succeed
As long as I'm upright, I'll try to prolong
The notion that future events must go on
No matter the turn out is right or is wrong

They trusted you
And all the things you often made them do, and now
Everyone smilin'
Telling me I've got to trust you to
Do no wrong
'Cause if you do, You just won't live as long, and now
Everyone's cryin'
Someone's telling them to just stop trying

Given some truth, Call it a lie
Given some action, Ask yourself why
This body is slow, And it's seen its best days
My truth is uncovered, My negative ways
I'm one of the people I struggle to praise

Oh, the pessimist

Teach me to follow, But never to lead
Teach me to stay down, And never succeed
When everyone's watching, It's hard to admit
The movement of shadows, That lead me to quit
I grapple with time, But I can't make it fit

They trusted you
With all the things you often made them do, and now
Everyone smillin'
Telling me I've got to trust you to
Do no wrong
'Cause if you do, You just won't live as long, and now
Everyone's smilin'
Someone's telling them to just stop trying