The Man Who Sold the World
Nirvana (MTV Unplugged In New York) Lyrics

We passed upon the stair, we spoke of was and when
We crossed paths on the staircase and discussed things that once were and the passage of time.

Although I wasn't there, he said I was his friend
Even though I was not physically present, the man claimed we were friends.

Which came as some surprise I spoke into his eyes
His statement caught me off guard, so I looked him straight in the eyes to connect.

I thought you died alone, a long long time ago
I believed you passed away by yourself many years ago.

Oh no, not me
But apparently, that's not the case for me.

I never lost control
I've always had command over my own life and decisions.

You're face to face
Now we are in close proximity.

With the man who sold the world
In person, you're with the man who manipulated the world for his own benefit.

I laughed and shook his hand, and made my way back home
Despite the situation, I maintained a light-hearted tone and then left to return to my own life.

I searched for form and land, for years and years I roamed
Over a long time, I traveled and explored, seeking a sense of identity and purpose.

I gazed a gazley stare at all the millions here
I looked at the masses of people around me with vacant eyes.

We must have died along, a long long time ago
Perhaps we have all already died, long ago, and are now just existing.

Who knows? Not me
I don't have the answer, and maybe nobody else does either.

We never lost control
Regardless of the situation or its meaning, we're firm in our control and power.

You're face to face
Once again, you're directly in front of the man who sold the world.

With the man who sold the world
The song repeats the chorus a final time to reiterate the message.