The Modern Rome Burning

How did we get into this mess?
The question is hypothetical

The answers are written on the face of the oppressed

Sent to death at just 19
Forever more to be unseen
His mother with tears in her eyes
Crying to God, she calls out "Why?"

She'll find her answers on the face of the oppressed
I bow my head in respect of the dead

Because we're all bogged down
And there ain't no fucking S.O.S
That's gonna save our sinking ship
Because we're all bogged down
And there ain't no fucking S.O.S
That's gonna save our sinking ship, our ship

How did we get into this mess?
The question is a bona fide literal

The answers are written on the face of the oppressed

We all know the answers why
They sold a lie to build Versailles
You can roll over and die
Or you can reign down hell tonight

You'll find your answer on the face of the oppressed
I bow my head in respect of the dead

Because we're all bogged down
And there ain't no fucking S.O.S
That's gonna save our sinking ship
Because we're all bogged down
And there ain't no fucking S.O.S
That's gonna save our sinking ship, our ship

In the ash of your city lies fertile ground
(In the ash of your city lies fertile ground)
In the ash of your city lies fertile ground
(In the ash of your city lies fertile ground)

This nation's burning, burning down
(This nation's burning, burning down)
This nation's burning to the ground

This is the modern Rome burning
Let it burn
This is the modern Rome burning
Let it burn
This is the modern Rome burning
Let it burn, let it burn

This is New York burning
This is Boston burning
This is Omaha burning

This is Washington burning
This is Pittsburgh burning
This is Birmingham burning

This is the modern Rome burning
Let it burn, let it burn
Burn, burn