I've been a simple man, and I've been insane
I've been a vagabond, and I've been a king
But I've been a better man just tryin' to please
The stranger I love
Lost in the wilderness, darker than pain
And drawn to her loneliness, just like a flame
The closer we come, the more that I lean
The stranger I love
Bad as I loved her, I ain't afraid
We'll be together, some lovin' way
I'll be her lover just as long as I can
Then when it's over, she'll need a friend
So I'll take her hand-me-downs; I'll take the blame
I'll ba a hang-around; I ain't ashamed
'Cause the longer I love her, the more I believe
The stranger I loveIf you open up the cage, you will hurt yourself
The King said it's forbidden or you may get hell
But the prisoner lets you know where to find the key
Under her satin pillow, yes, there it has to be
Modesty is fine, but it doesn't get you very far
When you make your decision, don't be afraid of the dark
Longing for the golden ball, that it will be yours for keeps
Be sure about it as you sow, so shall you reap
Let's take a ride on Iron John's shoulders
He has more gold than anybody in this world
Let's take a ride, heigh-ho on Iron John
He has more gold than anyone in this world
Jump on the train to nowhere, from now on you are free
After rising from the ashes, you'll become a mystery
Too many of those strange injections, too many gazes at the sun
The lady smiled "Well, that's my business, running after number 1"
For all their childish daydreams, you caught their falling stars
Just for the cheapest contracts, you signed your autographs
And if you started much too early, therefore you've stopped too late--
--Make sure that no one stops you now
Here comes the ultimate
Let's take a ride on Iron John's shoulders...
He will be with you, he will be there
If you call out the magic words
Let's take a ride on Iron John's shoulders...