I’m laying face down in the ashtray ¹
I was once a dish washer ²
I was more bashful than blind
But I had my thumb in the wind
And I usually achieved my goal
And nothing was too much for me
I was the first in the ring ³
Was the last, who went
Now I’m laying face down in the ashtray
My condition has really been better
But what’s left for me are the embers
And what drives me is courage
And I’ll open my eyes
I want to see again
I will make a difference ⁴
I want to rise again
And I’ll run to the street,
Step into the light
I know you don’t see me
Here in the dark
And I’ll open my eyes
And I’ll open my eyes
My life is face down in the ashtray
But it will get gradually better
I’ve got to go through the gutter
In order to finally see life
I was more quickly filled up
But had hard luck with happiness
I want out of the ashes
At last, I’ll rise to me feet
And I’ll open my eyes
I want to see again
I will make a difference
I want to rise again
And I’ll run to the street,
Step into the light
I know you don’t see me
Here in the dark
You don’t have to love me
If you feel it, you can
I was unusually withdrawn
I’m here, if you want
You don’t need to help me
I don’t need a present
I’m drunk on life
‘Cause I guess I’m okay
And I’ll open my eyes
And I’ll open my eyes
Come, we’ll open our eyes
Come, we’ll open our eyes
And I’ll open my eyes
I want to see again
I will make a difference
I want to rise again
And I’ll run to the street
Step into the light
I know you don’t see me
Here in the dark
And I’m opening my eyes
And I’m opening my eyes
Come, we’re opening our eyes
Come, we’re opening our eyes
My life’s face down in the ashtray
My life as a dish washer
My life in a glossy finish
This life stays hard for life