Crush me softly or cradle me hard   And the more I wanted was the scariest part   A measure of control, well, not this time   And I wanted to learn so I claim the lesson as mine      The politics of lasting just a little bit longer   Is the art of living every day   That which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger   Until it finally kills you all the way      You take every action and apply the math   You could reap the rapture or risk the wrath   And if you rate the reasons then the best ones lose   And all that means is you got no excuse      The politics of lasting just a little bit longer   Is the art of living every day   And that which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger   Until it finally kills you all the way      Harmonica powers reactivate      Gonna pull up stakes, gonna try again   Do whatever it takes to draw you in   It's what I am and it's all I know   Like the carnie man you gotta work the show      The politics of lasting just a little bit longer   Is the art of living every day   That which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger   Until it finally kills you all the way