I've been having a hard time trying to justify
The clouds arising from the cars we drive
And a little too easy seems just a little too hard today
And I'm afraid my children are going to have to watch
the world
waste away
Been having a hard time trying to accept the fact
That paying money for four walls leaves the slavery
intact
And a little too easy seems just a little too hard today
And I'm afraid my children are going to have to watch
the world
slip away
I know, I know, I know, life has become slavery
Costs two dollars a minute and additional charges to
pray to god
today
See I've been looking for some guidance but the voice
on the phone
ain't got a damn thing to say
And a little too easy seems just a little too hard today
And I'm afraid my children are going to have to watch
the world
fade away
I was born a little too late to see the dream that they
called America
See I only want to be a Free man but it's against the law
to sleep on
the ground in Gods land
And a little too easy seems just a little bit insane
And I'm afraid I'm going to have to run for my life one of
these days
I know, I know, I know, life has become slavery
The ground is my body, it's been poisoned with lead and
junk food
and toxic waste
The sky is my mind it's been clouded with cigarettes and
fluorocarbons and petroleum distillates
The water's my heart, it's been broken with booze and
drugs and
shooting up paste
The sun is my spirit, it belongs to all of us, I guess we're
all one sick
race
And autonomy shall reward itself with freedom
And humility shall reward itself with peace
And the dissolution of possession and the integration of
humanity
Shall bring forth a sharing of our responsibility
For our lives and our earth


Lyrics submitted by oofus

Petroleum Distillation song meanings
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    General Comment

    Amazing song.

    PoGoon June 20, 2003   Link

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