With one hand tied behind your back, on a good day
You tried to push through every crack, there are other ways
All bones and reluctant expression
Have you no sense of shame or discretion
You're the king of strategic digression, so easy to avoid

If you want it, you can reason all you want
But sometimes you just have to take the oath
(Take the oath)

You live from day to day to year, without leases
Each thing you say you have to clear little speeches
Immune to the gentlest persuasion
That isn't even part of your equation
You feel the slightest duration, do anything to avoid

If you want it, you can reason all you want
But sometimes you just have to take the oath
(Take the oath)

Now you hang from the slightest of threads
You walk in a house of empty rooms and frozen beds
Take the oath and regret it if you will
You have the time to kill, so take it, take it, take it

One song can only do so much, on a good day
Don't try to use it as a crutch, there are other ways
As you sink in your alienation, fighting vainly for justification
I see assured salvation, it's easy if you try

If you want it, you can reason all you want
But sometimes you just have to take the oath
(Take the oath)
If you want it, you can reason all you want
But sometimes you just have to take it! ... (Take the oath)

(Take the oath) I've got a feeling in my head
(Take the oath) I'm gonna take the oath until I'm dead
(Take the oath) I can't believe the news today
(Take the oath) I'm gonna close my eyes and take the oath
Take, take, take, take the oath, I will take the oath
You can take the oath, they must take the oath
We must take the oath
Take the oath, take the oath, take the oath