Thief in the Night

Last night when I woke up, I was shooting pool with Lady Luck
She bought my soul for a measly buck, she said all she ever wanted was to dance
I asked her what was in her cup, she said "life" and then she drank it up
She had an American flag on her pickup truck and "freedom" was sewn onto her pants
She said, "California is the place to be, they'll match the quota of your every need
They'll sing you cocaine harmonies when all you ever wanted was a chant"

And she said "The night looks like it's never been as young as when it had a vision"
She said "You used to call its name, you used to hold its hands
But now you're making love, and now you're making plans"
She didn't know that moment, she didn't know that date
She didn't know my fortune, she didn't know my fate
She said "There's no time to wait when you're a thief in the night"

I realized all my heroes were dead, they died in their beds
With loaded shotguns to their heads and victim tattooed on their hands
I sought counsel in a group of some, I asked them if it was what they'd done
They said "No, the good, they always die young and they never ever meet demands
In the group I saw my friend, I said "What a way for a life to end"
He said "Have you been born again?" I said "No, it's just a change of plans"

And I said "The night looks like it's never been as young as when it had a vision"
I said "You used to cry, you used to get high, but now you're scraping just to get by
Once you were Jesus, you were the Son, you were the Father, you were everyone
But now that day is done and you're a thief in the night"

I went to the edge to see the bottom of the drifter's seat
Where lonely dreamers cash in their dreams
For a case of beer and a year's supply of food stamps
Sinatra was there without a clue, his eyes were red, no longer blue
He said "What's a swinging boy to do but sleep with liars and tramps?"
I said "What's this world coming to?" He said "There's something burning new"
I said "You felt that once, didn't you?" He said "But now the light has flickered from my lamp"

And I said "The night looks like it's never been as young as when it had a vision"
I said "You used to think this world would never end
You thought you had the chance to do it all again
But now you're in Heaven, or you're in Hell
As far as I can tell, it's just as well
There's no freedom bells when you're a thief in the night"