Disparity By Design

(album: Endgame - 2011)

All the way at the bottom of the barrels we cry out
So ashamed of our tears that we blame only ourselves

That's when they win
They keep us convinced
To lift up our chins
These playing fields are level

We all have a chance
With that they dismiss
The fast lanes they rode
Which access depends on who you know
Or where you came from
Whose daughter are you
Whose fortunate son

We're told
To stick out our thumbs
They feast from the linens
While we settle for crumbs

Is this an over-reaching arm?
Or is this compassion?
Is this a handout undeserved?
Or a just reparation?
(A just reparation)

All the way from the towers
High above glass-ceilinged tombs
Tell themselves that they've earned this
By working hard and playing by the rules

But this is only part true
A dangerous trick played on me and you
And so like a practical joke
We pulled on these bootstraps so hard that they broke

Is this an over-reaching arm?
Or is this compassion?
Is this a handout undeserved?
Or a just reparation?

And like a single domino
That falls while the rest stay vertical
We're fed these empty fairy tales
Oh, will you believe them?

And if there's a God, you better pray
That this sleeping giant never wakes

But if we just took a step back
A bigger picture we might view
Perhaps the man in the gutter
Is not so different from you

Come in out of the cold
Forget all that you know
Because there's always been room
By the fire for you
Oh, come in out of the cold

Oh, will you believe them?

Is this an over-reaching arm?
Or is this compassion?
Is this a handout undeserved
Or a just reparation?

And like a single domino
That falls while the rest stay vertical
We're fed these empty fairy tales
And I'm through believing