biting keeps your words at bay
ending to the sores that stay
happiness is just a gash away
when i open a familiar scar
pain goes shooting like a star
comfort hasn't failed to follow so far

and you might say it's self-indulgent
you might say it's self-destructive
but you see it's more productive
than if i were to be happy

& pens and pen-knives take the blame
crane my neck & scratch my name
but the ugly marks
are worth the momentary gain
when i jab a sharpened object in
choirs of angels seem to sing
hymns of hate in memorandum

and you might say it's self-indulgent
you might say it's self-destructive
but you see it's more productive
than if i were to be healthy

and sappy songs about sex and cheating
bland accounts of two lovers meeting
make me want to give mankind a beating

and as the skin rips off
i cherish the revolting thought
that even if i quit
there's not a chance in hell i'd stop
and anyone can see the signs
mittens in the summertime
thank-you for your pity,
you are too kind

and you might say it's self-destructive
but you see i'd kick the bucket
sixty times before i'd kick the habit

and you might say it's self-inflicted
but you see that's contradictive
why on earth would anyone practice
self-destruction?

and pain opinions are sitcom feeding
they don't know that their minds are teething
makes me want to give mankind a beating...

i've tried bandages and sinking
i've tried gloves and even thinking
i've tried vaseline...
i've tried everything...

and no-one cares if your back is bleeding
they're concerned with their hair receding
looking back it was all maltreating
every thought that occurred misleading...
makes me want to give myself a beating...