When the house fell asleep there was always a light, and it fell from the page to the eyes of an American boy,
In a storybook land I could dream what I read,
When it went to my head I'd see,
I wanna be a hero,
I wanna be a hero,
But the practical side said the question was still; when you grow up what will you be'
I wanna be a hero,
I wanna be a hero.

Hero: it's a nice-boy notion that the real world's gonna destroy,
You know it's a Marvel comic-book, Saturday matinee, fairytale, boy.

Growing older you'll find that illusions are brought, and the idol you thought you'd be was just another zero,
I wanna be a hero.

Heroes died when the squealers bought 'em off,
Died when the dealers got 'em off,
Welcome to the "in it for the money as an idol" show, ha,
When they ain't as big as life,
When they ditch their second wife,
Where's the boy to go'
Gotta be a hero.

Hero: it's a nice-boy notion that the real world's gonna destroy,
You know it's a Marvel comic-book, Saturday matinee, fairytale, boy.

When the house fell asleep, from a book I was led to a light that I never knew,
I wanna be your hero,
I wanna be your hero,
And he spoke to my heart from the moment I prayed, "Here's a pattern I made for you,"
I wanna be your hero,
I wanna be your hero,
I wanna be your hero.