G#m                    E
Well I stepped into an avalanche
G#m           F#    G#m
It covered up my soul;
                   E
When I am not this hunchback that you see
G#m     F#                 G#m
I sleep beneath the golden hill
B               F#
You who wish to conquer pain
       G#m                       E    D#
You must learn, learn to serve me well


[Verse 2]
G#m                     E
You strike my side by accident
G#m       F#            G#m
As you go down for your gold
                          E
The cripple here that you clothe and feed
G#m        F#          G#m
Is neither starved nor cold;
B                        F#
He does not ask for your company
           G#m                       E     D#
Not at the centre, the centre of the world


[Verse 3]
G#m            E
When I am on a pedestal
G#m         F#       G#m
You did not raise me there
                E
Your laws do not compel me
G#m      F#            G#m
To kneel grotesque and bare
B               F#
I myself am the pedestal
        G#m                     E     D#
For this ugly hump at which you stare


[Verse 4]
G#m             E
You who wish to conquer pain
G#m      F#                  G#m
You must learn what makes me kind;
G#m                         E
The crumbs of love that you offer me
G#m                     F#   G#m
They're the crumbs I've left behind
B                          F#
Your pain is no credential here
              G#m                  E    D#
It's just the shadow, shadow of my wound


[Verse 5]
G#m             E
I have begun to long for you
G#m   F#      G#m
I who have no greed
                E
I have begun to ask for you
G#m   F#      G#m
I who have no need
B                     F#
You say you've gone away from me
          G#m               E     D#
But I can feel you when you breathe


[Verse 6]
G#m                   E
Do not dress in those rags for me
G#m        F#      G#m
I know you are not poor
G#m                        E
You don't love me quite so fiercely now
G#m                    F#      G#m
When you know that you are not sure
B
It is your turn, beloved
      G#m               E     D#
It is your flesh that I wear