There ain't no reason things are this way

It's how they've always been and they intend to stay

I can't explain why we live this way

We do it every day



Preachers on the podiums speaking the sayings

Prophets on the sidewalk begging for change

Old ladies laughing from the fire escape

Cursing my name



I got a basket full of lemons and they all taste the same

A window and a pigeon with a broken wing

You could spend your whole life working for something

Just to have it taken away



People walk around pushing back their debts

Wearing paychecks like necklaces and bracelets

Talking about nothing, not thinking 'bout death

Every little heartbeat, every little breath



People walk a tight rope on a razors edge

Carrying their hurt and hatred and weapons

It could be a bomb, or a bullet or a pen

Or thought, or a word or a sentence



There ain't no reason things are this way

It's how they've always been and they intend to stay

I don't know why I say the things I say

But I say them anyway





Prison walls still standing tall

Some things never change at all

Keep on building prisons, gonna fill them all

Keep on building bombs, gonna drop them all



Working your fingers bare to the bone

Breaking your back, make you sell your soul

Like a lung, it's filled with cold

Suffocating slow



The wind blows wild and I may move

The politicians lie and I am not a fool

You don't need no razor or a three piece suit

To argue the truth



They air on my skin in the world under my toes

Slavery stitched to the fabric of my clothes

Love I try to follow





There ain't no reason things are this way

It's how they've always been and they intend to stay

I can't explain why we live this way

We do it every day