Sailing cross the seas Pursuing sorry ships don't know they're sinking Holding on until all hope is gone Focusing my eyes on distant stars so far away they're blinking On and off and on and off and on But the bird in my hand is promising paradise Venture forth from cave To conquer everything that's moving Pleasure never really lasting very long Roller coaster ride the lows the highs Feels like you're grooving Though it's on and off and on and off and on And the bird in my hand is promising paradise All the actors in your play will do their part And go their way Or dance as long as you will pay But she will never fly away Man behind the curtain Pulls the levers for the sheep For me tonight there'll be no sleep until the dawn Neon sign from paradise hotel across the street Is blinking on and off and on and off and on And the bird in my hand is promising paradise