Like a king without a crown As the curtain comes down I went home but I came back for more I was sad as a clown I, I would rather steal than borrow You and your heart away I, I would rather lead than follow The road to Mandalay Since the first world war You've seen it all for 50 years or more Your face is tired In your steps there is a crack where People's dreams keep falling in And I, I would rather steal than borrow You and your heart away I, I would rather lead than follow The road to Mandalay As the sky threatens Another land beckons We can't take it anymore Have to know once and for all Do we stand or do we fall But I, I would rather steal than borrow You and your heart away And I, I would rather lead than follow The road to Mandalay The road to Mandalay