I was a rich man I was a thief I was a sailor, shipwrecked on a reef I was a coward I was afraid I was courageous Man, I was brave Until the oceans dry Until the day you die Until the stars fall out the sky Welcome to the real world, baby Welcome to the way things are Welcome to the real world, darling Step on for Shangri-la Welcome to the real world, baby Paradise guarantee Welcome to the real world Come and see what we've bequeathed I was an angel, idolised I was a devil in a disguise I was a stalion I was a mule I was misguided, but nobody's fool The day that I was born, daddy placed me on his knee Said: "Son, you've got to be a better man than me You're inheriting the world; make your mark on history Welcome to the real world; be what you've got to be." Welcome to the real world