Tell me before I waltz out of your life
Before turning my back on the past
Forgive my impertinent behavior
But how long do you think this pantomime can last?

Tell me before I ride off in the sunset, there's one thing I never got clear
How can you claim you're a savior
When those who oppose you are stepped on
Or cut up, or simply disappear?

Tell me before you get onto your bus
Before joining the forgotten brigade
How can one person like me, say
Alter the time-honored way the game is played?

Tell me before you get onto your high horse
Just what you expect me to do, I don't care what the Bourgeoisie say
I'm not in business for them but to give all my descamisados
A magical moment or two

There is evil, ever around
Fundamental system of government, quite incidental
So what are my chances of honest advances? I'd say low
Better to win by admitting my sin than to lose with a halo

Tell me before I seek worthier pastures and thereby restore self-esteem
How can you be so short-sighted
To look never further than this week or next week
Than have no impossible dream?

Allow me before you slink off to the sidelines
I'll pay your fair gift three cheers but first tell me who'd be delighted
To witness me the top world's greatest problems
From war to pollution, no hope of solution
Even if I live for one hundred years

There is evil, ever around
Fundamental system of government, quite incidental
So go, if you're able to somewhere unstable and stay there
Whip up your hate in some tottering state
But not here, dear, is that clear, dear?

Oh, what I'd give for a hundred years
But the physical interferes, everyday more, Oh my Creator
What is the good of the strongest heart
In a body that's falling apart? A serious flaw, I hope You know that

Copyright: Universal Music Publishing Group
Writer(s): ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, TIM RICE