Then-the Earlier Years Lyrics - 1997

[ Buy Then-the Earlier Years ]

Here's hoping you don't (hoping you don't)
Become a robot (clang clang)
Clang, clang, whoops, too late
Here's hoping you don't (hoping you don't)
Become a robot (clang clang)
Clang, clang, whoops, too late

Let's stick together 'cause we're number 8*
Let's stick to numbers 'cause we're great*

Here's hoping you don't (hoping you don't)
Become a robot (clang clang)
Clang, clang, whoops, too late

Hey!
Wait!

Here's hoping you don't (hoping you don't)
Harbor a deathwish* (help help)
Help, help, help yourself
Here's hoping you don't (hoping you don't)
Harbor a deathwish* (help help)
Help, help, help yourself

Hip, hip, horrific are the words we sing
Hip, hip, horrific is our thing

Here's hoping you don't (hoping you don't)
Become a robot (help help)
Help, help, help, help
Help, help, help

Notes
*these lines are disputable. the liner notes to then: the earlier years claim that the lines in the first bridge are as written here, and that in the second verse the line is "harbor a wish
Quot; many fans claim to hear "harbor a deathwish" or "harbor a penguin," but "deathwish" seems the most likely. others hear "number a/'cause we're gray"
E first bridge rather than what is printed here.