American Ruse

They told you in school about the freedom
When you try to be free they never let ya
They said, "It's easy, nothing to it"
And now the army's out to get ya

Modern day America in terminal stasis
The air is so thick, it's like drowning in molasses
I'm sick and tired of paying these dues
I'm finally getting hip to the American ruse

I learned to say the pledge of allegiance
Before they beat me bloody down at the station
They haven't got a word out of me since
I got a billion years probation

Modern day America in terminal stasis
The air is so thick, it's like drowning in molasses
I'm sick and tired of paying these dues
I'm sick to my guts of the American ruse

Yeah, them phony stars (oh, no)
Crummy cars (oh, no)
Cheap guitars (oh, no)
And Joe's primitive bar (oh, no)
Nah!
Rock 'em back, Stevie

Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
Ah, yeah
A-ha, alright, hold on

Mmm, the way they pull you over it's suspicious
For something that just ain't your fault
If you complain they're gonna get vicious
Kick in your teeth and charge you with assault

But I can see the chickens coming home to roost
Young people everywhere are gonna cook their goose
Lots of kids are working to get rid of these blues
Everybody's sick to the American ruse

(Well, well, well) take a look around
(Well, well, well) take a look around
(Well, well, well) just take a look around
(Well, well, well) take a look around
(Well, well, well) just take a look around