Verse 1: Voice 1:
Death--it's everywhere, its vile stench clings onto the air
It gets so bad, the bodies pile high, pile right up to the foggy blue sky
But no one listens, no one cries, when a child of the West just up and dies
The think they'll add to the body count; the walls are closin' in, there's no way out
For me, no sir-ee, not a soul to hear me when I scream
The blade is shining, the steel is cold, that's it, I'm doomed, not even 20 years old
Then all at once, there's a loud CRACK, one keels over with a hole in his back
The others rush away and all I see is a pair of violet eyes staring down at me
The violence continues all around, but lost in those eyes, I hear not a sound
But my heartbeat, and my shakin' breath. This angel [voice 2: Or Devil?] just stopped my death.
Chorus 1: Voice 2:
Angel or Devil, I wanna know
Where do you hang your hat, where do you call home?
I look at the world around you, but I can't tell
Are you a Demon in Heaven, or an Angel in Hell?
Angel or Devil, I need to know
Why can't you fit in, no matter where you go
I may not know you, but I can see
In the bitter end, you're not that different from me.
Verse 2: Voice 1:
This Angel [voice 2: Or Devil?], he's fair as can be, so my heart's all aflutter, quite naturally
Hair down his back, eyes so cold, he too can't yet be 20 years old
He gives me his hand, asks [voice 1 & 2] "Can you stand?", helps me up, and man, oh man
What a sight, the sun's goin' down, and its nearly night
He sees me watchin', says, "Ain't it the best? Sunset's better out here in the West
Over in the East, you can't see the stars. All you guys got is steel, glass, and cars
Sure you got money, but even I know, ya can't buy happiness wit' any 'mount o' dough
All you Easters, you think ya got it made. I tell you, ya need to try bein' me for a day."
I meet his eyes, that cold violet stare, and behind the ice, I see pain in there
And memories too, and I'm tellin' ya'll "Hell, this Angel [voice 2: Or Devil?] Is just like me or you"
REPEAT CHORUS 1
Verse 3: Voice 1:
Angel or Devil, he's walkin' me home. He knows they'll come back if I'm left all alone
As we walk, we begin to talk. All my fears of the West, they vanish like chalk
In the rain. I tell him the story of how I came by train
To this hellhole, this tarpit in the sand, and as we keep talkin' and walkin', he holds my hand
He tells me of the life he once led in the East, when things were just peachy 'til some cruel beast
Ruined it, destroyed his dreams. Nothin' left, no one there, and it seems
He had no choice but to go to the West, where he scratches a livin' doin' what he does best
Stealin' from gangs, preventin' their crimes, laughin' in Death's face from time to time
But he says he feels trapped, even though he's free, I stop and ask, "Well now how can that be?"
Our eyes meet again, serious as can be, and he says, "Don't you get it? You're just like me!"
INTERLUDE/BRIDGE: Voice 2:
I tell myself, "Hey, he's right!"
I'm the darkness to his light
He's got nothin', he's just fine
I've got everythin', I hate my life
He hasn't got a roof o'er his head
I'm sick and tired of my nice soft bed
I waste my time tryin' to be him
His days, wantin' my life is how he spends them
He's free but trapped, I'm trapped but free
Each other's lives is all we dream
I'm too bad for the East
I wanna free my inner beast
He's too good for the West
He's still gotta heart hidin' in hid chest
Chorus 2: Voice 2:
Angel or Devil, now I know
You don't have a hat, you ain't got a home
I see the world around us, and I can tell
I'm a Demon in Heaven, You're an Angel in Hell
Angel, not Devil, now I know
Why we don't fit in, no matter where we go
I still don't know you, but now I see
In the very end, you just wanna be me
Verse 4: Voice 1:
While we're walkin' and talkin' we arrive at the Tracks, he stops, says, "That's it, I'm headin' back"
I'm confused and ask him why, he laughs bitterly and says he don't wanna die
He killed a Cobra to save my life, and they're known to practice 'an eye for an eye'
If he steps over the tracks to the East, they'd all converge here, it'd be a blood-filled feast
I'm safe now, my home is near, but I don't wanna leave my new companion dear
To stay a little longer is what I want most, I tell him that, he draws he close
One arm goes around my hips, the other lifts my pale hand, presses it to his blood-red lips
Across his face, a smirk is drawn, he turns 'round, walks, and he's going, going, gone
I watch him go, just staring in awe. Maybe this Angel is a Devil after all
He's stolen my heart, and I feel so lame: After everythin' he did, I didn't even get his name
REPEAT CHORUS 2
Chorus 3: Voice 2:
My angel, my devil, I want you to know
You don't need a hat, and I can give you a home
The world hears my voice, and everyone can tell
This Demon in Heaven craves the Angel in Hell
My angel, my devil, I want you to know
You may not fit in, but you've got a place to go
You're welcome in my heart, now can't you see
To whatever end, I want you with me
CONCLUSION: Sung 'a capella' by voice 2:
To whatever end, I want you with me
My angel, my devil