Shadow in the shade
Mishka Lyrics

You were the brightest star The night sky ever displayed But in the early morning light, You started to fade
You used to be incredibly talented, but you lost your spark over time and became less successful.

You had a revolutionary vision Of breaking down the barricades But because you lacked the wisdom, Your dreams were all betrayed
You had big ideas for change, but your lack of knowledge and experience prevented you from making them a reality.

Wise men gave their counsel, But the truth you did evade You never heeded any of them You were the renegade
People tried to give you advice, but you refused to listen and went against their wisdom with your rebellious attitude.

You thought you were the biggest alligator That ever cruised the everglades But oh, now, you’re just a shadow in the shade
You used to think you were the best at what you did, but now you've become insignificant and forgotten.

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
You left behind a small and familiar life, but the challenges of a bigger world have made you feel insecure and scared.

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
You continued to pursue your goals, thinking you were successful, but a setback caused by someone with a different perspective ruined your confidence.

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
You gained wealth and power by exploiting others, and the guilt is now catching up to you.

Dogs barked their warnings And even donkeys brayed Oh, now, you’re just a shadow in the shade
People and animals alike tried to warn you of the consequences of your actions, but you didn't listen and are now insignificant and forgotten.

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
You had a realization and tried to spread your message, but you were only preaching to people who already agreed with you and didn't convert anyone else.

Like the fool that struts and frets He’s out upon the stage You gave your best performance But no one follows your parade
You acted arrogantly and put on a show, but no one was impressed or wanted to join you.

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
You regret leaving behind what you had before and wish you could go back, but there's no one who wants to trade places with you.

Little children see right through you They know it’s all a charade Oh man, you’re just a shadow in the shade
Even children can see that you're not genuine and that your actions are only a facade. You are now insignificant and forgotten.

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
You had a rude awakening that things weren't going well, but it was too late to do anything about it. You thought you had control, but you were actually hurting yourself.

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
You kept working hard to make a living, but everything has its price, and you paid it when you received your wages.

When at last salvation found you So worn out and dismayed She was the image of perfection In the sunlight well arrayed
When you finally found relief from your troubles, it came in the form of someone or something perfect and beautiful.

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
Someone amazing walked into your life, but you can't quite reach or be with them because you are insignificant and forgotten.

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
You're insignificant and forgotten now, but someone might need you or come searching for you in the future when things get tough.