You gotta listen now
And recognize the circle
You gotta listen now
Get wise before they lift your eyes
You gotta listen now
And hold your children closer
You gotta listen now
Get down or you won't be around
You gotta listen now
(Now listen / Now, now listen)
And recognize the circle
(Now listen / Now, now listen)
There sometimes comes a day
When the man calls for his pay
And you gotta live through that
Yes you gotta live through that
And when you've paid what you owe
You might have to travel slow
But you gotta go through that
So you gotta live through that
But when the masters of attain
Require to repossess your name
You don't have to live through that
You don't have to live through that
Thunder rolling down out of dried-up skies
Every inch of earth crying out for water
Television man spelling out the price
Everywhere the sheep creeping the slaughter
Cold weather coming, people feel the fire
Living on Dead End Street with no desire
Is it any wonder you've got no power
When you pay a thief to keep it for you?
Is it a surprise that your wine is sour
When you let a liar choose the brew he pours you?
Talk on the wire about force and choice
It's uncomfortable to raise your voice
Everybody whispering behind their hand
Selling their despair to any stronger man
Don't have to listen now
We taught ourselves to trust our heads
It's getting us nowhere
If fifty-five million hearts can't feel it
We'll never know where
Polish up your silver and hide your gold
Send the lookout man down to every corner
Gather in the place where it's bought and sold
Next to where you once used to be a learner
Cold weather coming, people feel the fire
Living on Dead End Street with no desire
You gotta listen now
