A long, long time ago
I can still remember how algebra used to make me whine
But if I studied night and day
My only grade could be an A
Then the honor and awards would be mine
But the time unslept got to me
Multiple worksheets were guaranteed
Bad grades on the math test, my empty mind was depressed
Sanity on the borderline
When I first glanced my 59
But something changed my one-track mind
I had seen the red stop sign

Chorus
So hey, hey I compute each weekday
I danced ballet on my birthday, practice piano each day
Spelling thousands of words, no time to play
Today's not the day to rub the wrong way
It's business, get out of my way

Look at this line-find the slope
Are binomials your only hope?
If the theorem tells you so
Now, is it simple to fraction bust
Foil perfect squares without mistrust
Does rate time distance, leave you in, the dust
Well I know you always agonize
The star on your quiz is a surprise
You yelled so happily
And I smiled with true jealousy
I was a patient, hard working, math student
With a so-so average, no minutes misspent
All said my face showed discontent
I had seen the red stop sign

Chorus

At holiday, we've been on our own
And minds grow empty as the twilight zone
But you know, the past, was the same
Unless you're a genius, some prodigy
Chances are you, will just sing with me
Take it easy, and just watch, the rain
Oh and while the wise had hit the books
The vain were concerned with their looks
The wealthy rose to power
Turned people sweet and sour
And while every life was speeding up
We grew dizzy in spinning tea cups
Everyone trying for the top
I had seen the red stop sign
I started singin'

Chorus

Jazz and ballet no easy display
Music and corrections must be, obeyed
Battements and falling fast
So full of grace technique with class
The dancers did plies smooth as glass
Every effort and the focus, at full blast
Now the summer course, made us all sweat
Weeks rehearsing, double pirouettes
Were all warmed up to dance, the August show was our chance
' Cause the corps, de ballet was prepared?
Perhaps the teachers said their prayers
We had, made it, real fair and square
I had seen the red stop sign
I started singin'

Chorus

See piano takes concentration
Art, a form of recreation
Trying to race, the metronome
So, let's raise the 7th, harmonic scale
And don't let phrasing, make you pale
'Cause it, is dynamics that brings ya home
My wrists were relaxed, my fingers strong
With passion, I played, the sacred song
Never would I forget, that cheerful minuet
And as I float that final, lonely note
To set the sails in my dream boat
I heard a shadow slit a stranger's throat
I had seen the red stop sign
I was singin'

Chorus

Poured out my soul and said good bye
And feeling empty, my tears ran dry
But she just smiled and turned away
And I went down to my favorite place
Dependable refuge, my home base
Unsatisfied, I made rhymes of, yesterday
And during summer children played
I was overworked and underpaid
My whole world was wrapped in silence
And nothing ever made sense
The cherished three I dreamt about
The witty, clever, and the, devout
Our memories seemed to just, fade out
I had seen the red stop sign

Chorus
I had seen the red stop sign.