The Patient [lyrics] A groan of tedium escapes me,
Startling the fearful.
Is this a test? It has to be,
Otherwise I can’t go on.
Draining patience, drain vitality.
This paranoid, paralyzed vampire act’s a little old.

But I’m still right here
Giving blood, keeping faith
And I’m still right here.

Wait it out,
Gonna wait it out,
Be patient (wait it out).

If there were no reward to (reap / heal),
(No / A) loving embrace to see me through
This tedious path I’ve chosen here,
I certainly would’ve walked away by now.
Gonna wait it out.

If there were no desire to heal
A damaged and broken man along
This tedious path I’ve chosen here
I certainly would’ve walked away by now.

And I still may … [sigh] … I still may.

Be patient.
I must keep reminding myself of this.

And if there were no rewards to (reap / heal),
(No / A) loving embrace to see me through
This tedious path I’ve chosen here,
I certainly would’ve walked away by now.
And I still may.

Gonna wait it out. [/lyrics]
Track # 3.”The Patient” from Lateralus

Personnel

Tool

Danny Carey – drums
Justin Chancellor – bass guitar
Maynard James Keenan – vocals
Adam Jones – guitar, art direction

Production

David Bottrill – producer, engineering, mixing
Vince DeFranco – neurocistance, engineer
Alex Grey – illustrations
Statik (Collide) – machines on “Triad”