The New OK

(album: The New OK - 2020)

On the big wingspan of your best-laid plan
A world that ain't worth knowing in the palm of our hands
Tried putting the blame on misunderstanding
Village in flames, earthquake, crash landings

She's a laugh a minute from a joke so cruel
A weighted blanket in the swimming pool
Okey-dokey for a broken fool
A new hand sign for your twisted ways
It's the new OK

Deep in my own head drenched from the cups
I thought going downtown might cheer me up
We promised each other we wouldn't let it get too rough
Said, "Let me know son when you've had enough"

Said, "Let me know when you've had your fill"
Force of nature and the force of will
Break your spirit when it gets revealed
That you've settled for an injury instead of a kill
Blood on your hands that point with skill
How we lost our way
It's the new OK

And I wonder if the life we lived
Will be around when the weight is lifted
Off the ground when the plates have shifted
And it's all burned to the ground
Will we rise up from where we're planted
With our fists up to the sun?
Or will we settle for tear-gassed eyes
Staring down the gun?

It's summer in Portland, everything's fine
Black Lives Matter holding up the line
We got mommies and vets taking fire
From the cops on the beat and the occupiers

It's 11:29 and the shit comes down
Shooting volleys from behind the fence
Smashing medics and the once-free press
It gets bloody and it gets messy
Goons with guns coming out to play
It's a battle for the very soul
Of the USA
It's the new OK
It's the new OK
It's the new OK