The Base
Paul Banks Lyrics

What I draw today
Whatever I create today

Will be recognized as shape
Will be identified as a form or structure

I spoke to the base
I communicated with the foundation or core of something

And the base says "we wait"
The foundation says that it is patient and waiting

So I smoke an old cigar
So I enjoy an aged cigar

While the giant sun fades
While the gigantic sunsets

And the base says we're safe
The foundation says that we are secure

Now and then I can see the truth above the lies
Sometimes I can perceive the reality beyond the deception

Now and then oh I feel, you're truly anesthetized
Now and then I sense that you are genuinely desensitized

That's why
That's the reason

When I walk today
As I stroll today

It's in silence and in rain
It's in quietness and amidst precipitation

Can a man turn the page
Can a man start afresh

While he's trying to amaze?
While he is endeavoring to astonish others?

So I hold my arms apart
So I stretch my arms wide open

But don't deny you any pain
But I won't withhold your suffering

And the base says "we're there"
The foundation says that we have arrived

And the base says "we win"
The foundation says that we have triumphed

Now and then oh I feel those beauties, this life belies
Now and then I sense those wonders that this existence conceals

They're like street lights
They resemble city lights

They tunnel on and on
They continue passing on and on

Into these deep nights
Into these extensive nocturnal periods

Where the lights circle on are so steep
Where the revolving lights are so intense

So steep
So intense

I count the falling stars
I keep track of the falling meteors

Anonymous forces
Unidentified powers

That broken street light
That damaged street lamp

Life is like a drug
Life is similar to a drug

Sky less night
A night without the sky

So steep I count the falling stars
So intense that I keep counting the falling meteors

So steep I will not be staying long
So intense that I will not be remaining for a long time