Steve Earle — Little Emperor

[Verse 1] Hey little emperor, come down from your throne The hourglass is empty, your time has come and gone The battlements are crumbling, the walls are tumbling down Your counselors and concubines are getting out of town Some say it’s an omen, some say it’s the winds of change Which every way it’s going, it’s blowing like a hurricane [Verse 2] Hey little conqueror, where you gonna go? The world is even smaller than it was when you left home Emptiness in front of you and detritus behind Nobody ever told you that history was kind Standing on the corner, your fortune blowing in the wind Daddy didn't warn you there ain't no going home again [Chorus] No pomp and circumstance, no more shock and awe You’re just a little emperor, that’s all [Verse 2] Hey little hypocrite, what you gonna say When you wind up standing naked on the final judgment day? How you gonna justify it? Who you gonna call? What if it turns out God don't look like you at all? The leaves are in the teacup, the hieroglyphics on the wall You ain't the first to rise up, you sure won’t be last to fall [Chorus] Hey little emperor, come down from your throne And let another emperor climb on