We've seen it before The high flying act Is it manic delusion Or a statement of fact That hot fevered brow Them bright shining eyes The hand on the heart Those self serving lies It's an ancient tradition But everyone knows Them gaudy old rags Are the emperor's new clothes We've heard it before Your ego parade You're always so sure A hollow charade You promise the moon An' squander the earth The only person you fool Is yourself It's an ancient condition But everyone knows Them gaudy old rags Are the emperor's new clothes We've seen it before Those crocodile tears The well should'a run dry It's been so many years You throw us a bone Then ask for it back The only thing you own You stole from our backs It's an ancient religion But everyone knows Them gaudy old rags Are the emperor's new clothes