Victim Or The Crime
Lyrics: Gerrit Graham
Music: Bob Weir
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Patience runs out on the junkie
The dark side hires another soul
Did he steal his fate or earn it?
Was he force-fed, did he learn it?
Whatever happened to his precious self control?
Like him I'm tired of trying to heal
This tom-cat heart with which I'm blessed
Is destruction loving's twin?
Must I choose to lose or win?
Maybe when my turn comes I will have guessed
These are the horns of the dilemma
What truth this proof against all lies
When sacred fails before profane
The wisest man is deemed insane
Even the purest of romantics compromise
What fixation feeds this fever
As the full moon pales and climbs
Am I living truth or rank deceiver
Am I the victim or the crime
Am I the victim or the crime
Am I the victim or the crime
Or the crime
And so I wrestle with the angel
To see who'll reap the seeds I sow
Am I the driver or the driven?
Will I be damned to be forgiven?
Is there anybody here but me who needs to know?
What it is to face this fever
As the full moon pales and climbs
Am I living truth or rank deceiver
Am I the victim or the crime
Am I the victim or the crime
Am I the victim or the crime
Or the Crime
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First performance: June 17, 1988, at Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota.
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Recordings
fall 1988 Bob Weir & Rob Wasserman: Live
studio 1989 Built To Last
21 Mar 1990 Without A Net
12 Jul 1990 View From The Vault II
25 Sep 1991 Dick's Picks 17