Lyric discussion by realpolitik 

Cover art for Poor Cow lyrics by Peter Bjorn and John

I always assumed that this was about how man is constanly stuck in a continuous circle of want and greed. Possibly they are even making an attack at Capitalism, such as the use of the phrase "the dollar is strong." I don't know, but America is kinda a symbol of Capitalism. However I should say that these thoughts came to me when I was stoned, so they may not be worth much.