You were the brightest star
The night sky ever displayed
But in the early morning light
You started to fade
You had a revolutionary vision
Of breaking down the barricades
But because you lacked the wisdom
Your dreams were all betrayed
Wise men gave their counsel
But the truth you did evade
You never heeded any of them
You were the renegade
You thought you were the biggest alligator
That ever cruised the everglades
But oh, now, you're just a shadow in the shade
So you left your small bowl far behind
But now you wish that you had stayed
The big fish in this ocean
Have got you feelin' so afraid
Still you climbed on up the ladder
You thought you had it made
But your confidence was shattered
By the song that a dreamer played
Your hand full of bloody diamonds
And your heart full of clubs and spades
You gambled with poor people's lives
Now through your conscience you must pay
Dogs barked their warnings
And even donkeys brayed
Oh, now, you're just a shadow in the shade
Oh, oh, oh, oh you're just a shadow in the shade
But it's you they'll be looking for in the heat of the day
Oh, oh, oh, oh you're just a shadow in the shade
But it's you they'll be looking for in the heat of the day
Then you had a little revelation
So you went on your crusade
But you were preaching to the converted
There was no one to persuade
Like the fool that struts and frets
He's out upon the stage
You gave your best performance
But no one follows your parade
To be back where you were
Now you'd give it all, your gold, your purse, your jade
But nobody wants to take that fall
There is no one willing to trade
Little children see right through you
They know it's all a charade
Oh man, you're just a shadow in the shade
Oh, oh, oh, oh you're just a shadow in the shade
But it's you they'll be looking for in the heat of the day
Oh, oh, oh, oh you're just a shadow in the shade
But it's you they'll be looking for in the heat of the day
Well you got your wake-up call
But it was a little too late
You thought you had handle on it all
When you were holding on the blade
Even so you just kept on working
Trying to earn an honest wage
But there is the price of everything
On the day that you got paid
When at last salvation found you
So worn out and dismayed
She was the image of perfection
In the sunlight well arrayed
She came dancing through the afternoon
You tried to reach out and touch her braids
But oh, man, you're just a shadow in the shade
Oh, oh, oh, oh you're just a shadow in the shade
But it's you they'll be looking for in the heat of the day
Oh, oh, oh, oh you're just a shadow in the shade
But it's you they'll be looking for in the heat of the day
Oh, oh, oh, oh you're just a shadow in the shade
But you'll return tonight at the end of the day