[Verse 1]

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

[Verse 2]

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

[Chorus]

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

[Verse 3]

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

[Chorus]

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