I've been in the house of a holy man
He asked if I could stay
I told him I had paths to travel
And way leads on to way
I knew I could not come back to him
A shelter or a hell
For better or for worse, I left
We all have stories to tell

I've held in my hands a dying bird
She sang out one last time
I told her she'd never be caged again
And that was all I cried
I knew she could not fly again
In blue sky or in rain
For better or for worse, she left
We all have stories to tell

I've laughed in the face of a madman
When he said I didn't have faith
But a reason is reason when hands turn to dust
And apologies come too late
I knew he would not understand
My words or all my life
For better or for worse, he left
We all have stories to tell

I've stood in the path of an emporer
As he rode his horse to conquer
I asked him if she never cared for him at all
Or if she loved him but he lost her
I knew his bloodlust as agony
For love or stolen hearts
For better or for worse, she left
We all have stories to tell

I've cried in the arms of a good friend
When I felt my heart had broken
He held me like I would fall apart if he didn't
Hear all that I had spoken
I knew he loved me more than life
A friend or something more
For better or for worse, I died there
We all have stories to tell