(verse 1)
brace yourself, for another round against
all the maintenance that goes along with being a living thing

you won't get applause, you won't get a congrats
there's no pride for you to take in it, there's no pat on the back

'cause all us folks have to suck it up sometimes
and do some things who's only prize is staying alive

and if that's not enough for you, don't be surprised
if nobody does it for you and you starve to death and die


(chorus)
and so you choke it down even though you're not hungry
'cause the things that seem the hardest are the things you really need

and the others watch and stare as you gag on every piece
and you know it's not too pretty, but it's past time that you eat

and the woman checks your plate, as you're getting up to leave
and you think about the next time you'll eat when you're not hungry

(verse 2)
make yourself get up and face another day
'cause the path to feeling better starts with going a different way

find it in yourself before you look in someone else
'cause if you won't do it for you, who is it you're trying to help

and when it all is said and done, don't be surprised
if you end up kind of happy, that you opened up your eyes

(chorus)

-and it's time to eat
( Interlude )

( verse 3 )
hold your course get up again and do the same
'cause you may have made the spark
but you've still got to tend the flame

there's no end to it,
there's no glorious mountain peak
It's a climb that you'll continue every hour and every week
and if, a long the way you feel yourself get tired

and have to stop and rest
before you can go higher
just make sure that when you wake you don't ever forget

there is always somewhere higher
somewhere you haven't seen yet

(last chorus)
and so you choke it down, even though you're not hungry
'cause the things that seem the hardest, are the things you really need

and the others watch and stare, as you gag on every piece
and you know that it's not pretty, but it's past time that you eat

and it's you who checks your plate 'cause you know it's what you need
and you think about the next time you'll eat when you're not hungry