Never thought that I was weak
Always thought I could get hurt pretty bad
Still get up on my own two feet

I always believed that I was free
That I had some sense of integrity
That would rise above whatever tried to change me

But honey, now I won't wait
For something to bring me round and smile
'Cause that only sticks for a while
Then I'm back again

Oh, I'm a master pretender

I always knew that I was young
But with a head held high and a sharp tongue
I could fool almost anyone

I never expected to be [bad word] By the fatal hands of fortune or by sheer bad luck

But honey, now we won't change
And memories just rearrange
And fall into place
So I'm back again

Oh, I'm a master pretender

All the streets of New York City
Sure look pretty from way up here
And I was headed home, just felt more alone
The further I'd go

I always thought that you'd be here
But [bad word] gets [bad word] up and people just disappear

So honey, now, don't be mad
Time has told me it can't be that bad
And if it is, well, I'll be [bad word] But I'll stick around

I'll be your master defender
Yeah, I'll stick around
I'll be your master defender