The Great American Novel
ALSO RELEASED ON: Hattem, Live At The Elsinore, The Norman Conquest, Monsters, Pot O' Gold
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Version 1 is a full studio recording
Note that on the DTS LP and Focus cassette releases of Planet, the stereo image is reversed |
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Version 2 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar
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Version 3 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar
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Version 4 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar during concert in Northern Ireland
Note that on Rough Diamonds there is a short piece guitar after the applause fades out. This appears to be a botched track split, and the start of the following song, Reader's Digest |
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Version 5 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar during concert in Northern Ireland. Note however that it fades out after the first line. (It is on the end of a dialogue track)
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Belfast Bootlegs [Cornerstone pre-release]
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Version 6 is a ten second snippet of an instrumental version of the song in a hard rock style, almost certainly performed and recorded by Larry's brother Charles
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Essential Test Disc [See the CD tab on the singles page]
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Version 7 is a live recording, performed with a full band during the 2001 Cornerstone festival
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Version 8 is a live recording, performed solo with acoustic guitar during a concert in Beaverton, Portland, on October 18, 2003
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Version 9 uses the same basic and lead vocal track as version 1, but has a much longer intro plus additional instrumentation and backing vocals
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Only Visiting This Planet [2004 CD releases]
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Version 10 is a studio demo with faint vocals
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Version 11 is a studio demo
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lyrics version 1
I was born and raised an orphan
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
And at every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You are far across the ocean
In a war that's not your own
And while you're winning theirs
You're gonna lose the one at home
Do you really think the only way
To bring about the peace
Is to sacrifice your children
And kill all your enemies
The politicians all make speeches
While the news men all take notes
And they exaggerate the issues
As they shove it down our throats
Is it really up to them
Whether this country sinks or floats
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
Hmm
Well my phone is tapped and my lips are chapped
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make my way of life
A little less like jail
If I promise to make tapes and slides
And send them through the mail
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
Then why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only got one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
And at every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You are far across the ocean
In a war that's not your own
And while you're winning theirs
You're gonna lose the one at home
Do you really think the only way
To bring about the peace
Is to sacrifice your children
And kill all your enemies
The politicians all make speeches
While the news men all take notes
And they exaggerate the issues
As they shove it down our throats
Is it really up to them
Whether this country sinks or floats
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
Hmm
Well my phone is tapped and my lips are chapped
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make my way of life
A little less like jail
If I promise to make tapes and slides
And send them through the mail
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
Then why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only got one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
lyrics version 2
I was born and raised an orphan
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
And you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter [Starts playing guitar]
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
At every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says "in God we trust"
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You were far across the ocean
But the war was not your own
While you were winning theirs
You almost lost the one at home
Did you really think the only way
To bring about real peace
Was to sacrifice your children
To kill all your enemies
Your politicians all make speeches
And the news men all take notes
And they exaggerate false issues
As they try to shove it down our throats
Is it really up to them
Whether our country sinks or floats, really
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
My phone is tapped, my lips have chapped
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make my way of life
A little less like jail
If I promise to send you tapes and slides
And send them through the mail
Your money says "in God we trust"
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, a all men are brothers
Then why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only found one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
And you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter [Starts playing guitar]
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
At every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says "in God we trust"
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You were far across the ocean
But the war was not your own
While you were winning theirs
You almost lost the one at home
Did you really think the only way
To bring about real peace
Was to sacrifice your children
To kill all your enemies
Your politicians all make speeches
And the news men all take notes
And they exaggerate false issues
As they try to shove it down our throats
Is it really up to them
Whether our country sinks or floats, really
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
My phone is tapped, my lips have chapped
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make my way of life
A little less like jail
If I promise to send you tapes and slides
And send them through the mail
Your money says "in God we trust"
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, a all men are brothers
Then why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only found one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
lyrics version 3
I was born and raised an orphan
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
At every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You were far across the ocean
But the war was not your own
And while you were winning theirs
You almost lost the war at home
Did you really think the only way
To bring about true peace
Was to sacrifice your young men
To kill all your enemies
Your politicians all make speeches
And your news men all take notes
And they exaggerate false issues
As they shove them down our throats
Is it really up to men
Whether our nation sink or float
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
My phone is tapped, my lips are chapped
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make my way of life
A little less like jail
If I promise to make tapes and slides
And send them through the mail
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
Then why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only found one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
At every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You were far across the ocean
But the war was not your own
And while you were winning theirs
You almost lost the war at home
Did you really think the only way
To bring about true peace
Was to sacrifice your young men
To kill all your enemies
Your politicians all make speeches
And your news men all take notes
And they exaggerate false issues
As they shove them down our throats
Is it really up to men
Whether our nation sink or float
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
My phone is tapped, my lips are chapped
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make my way of life
A little less like jail
If I promise to make tapes and slides
And send them through the mail
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
Then why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only found one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
lyrics version 4
I was born and raised an orphan
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
At every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You were far across the ocean
The war was not your own
While you were winning theirs
You almost lost the war at home
Did you really think the only way
To bring about real peace
Was to sacrifice your children
To kill all your enemies
Your, your politicians all make speeches
Your news men all take notes
They exaggerate false issues
As they shove them down our throat
Is it really up to them
Whether our nation sink or float
I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
My phone is tapped, my lips are chapped
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make my way of life
A little less like jail
If I promise to make tapes and slides
And send them through the mail
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
Then why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only found one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
At every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You were far across the ocean
The war was not your own
While you were winning theirs
You almost lost the war at home
Did you really think the only way
To bring about real peace
Was to sacrifice your children
To kill all your enemies
Your, your politicians all make speeches
Your news men all take notes
They exaggerate false issues
As they shove them down our throat
Is it really up to them
Whether our nation sink or float
I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
My phone is tapped, my lips are chapped
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make my way of life
A little less like jail
If I promise to make tapes and slides
And send them through the mail
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
Then why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only found one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
Lyrics version 5
I was born and raised an orphan
lyrics version 7
I was born and raised an orphan
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
Did you see the moon last night? [Spoken]
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
At every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
Say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You were far away across the ocean
And the war was not your own
While you were losing theirs
You also lost the war at home
Did you really think the only way
To bring about true peace
Was to sacrifice your young men
To kill all your enemies
Your politicians, they all make speeches
The news men all take notes
And they exaggerate false issues
And they shove them down our throats
Is it really up to them
Whether our nations sink or float
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
Next time, next time vote [Spoken]
My phone is tapped and my lips are chapped
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make our way of life
A little less like jail
If we'll promise to make tapes and slides
And send them to you through the mail
Our money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
Then why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only found one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
Did you see the moon last night? [Spoken]
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
At every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
Say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You were far away across the ocean
And the war was not your own
While you were losing theirs
You also lost the war at home
Did you really think the only way
To bring about true peace
Was to sacrifice your young men
To kill all your enemies
Your politicians, they all make speeches
The news men all take notes
And they exaggerate false issues
And they shove them down our throats
Is it really up to them
Whether our nations sink or float
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
Next time, next time vote [Spoken]
My phone is tapped and my lips are chapped
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make our way of life
A little less like jail
If we'll promise to make tapes and slides
And send them to you through the mail
Our money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
Then why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only found one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
lyrics version 8
I was born and raised an orphan
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
At every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
I say you starved your children to do it
You were far across the ocean
And the war was not your own
While you were winning theirs
You also lost the war at home
Did you really think the only way
To bring about real peace
Was to sacrifice your young men
To kill all your enemies
Your politicians all make speeches
And your news men all take notes
And they exaggerate false issues
As they shove them down our throats
Is it really up to them
Whether our nation sinks or floats
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
My phone is tapped, my lips are chapped
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make my way of life
A little less like jail
If I promise to make tapes and slides
And send them through the mail
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
But why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only found one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
At every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
I say you starved your children to do it
You were far across the ocean
And the war was not your own
While you were winning theirs
You also lost the war at home
Did you really think the only way
To bring about real peace
Was to sacrifice your young men
To kill all your enemies
Your politicians all make speeches
And your news men all take notes
And they exaggerate false issues
As they shove them down our throats
Is it really up to them
Whether our nation sinks or floats
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
My phone is tapped, my lips are chapped
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make my way of life
A little less like jail
If I promise to make tapes and slides
And send them through the mail
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
But why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only found one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
lyrics version 9
I was born and raised an orphan
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
And at every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You are far across the ocean
In a war that's not your own
And while you're winning theirs
You're gonna lose the one at home
Do you really think the only way
To bring about the peace
Is to sacrifice your children
And kill all your enemies
The politicians all make speeches
While the news men all take notes
And they exaggerate the issues
As they shove it down our throat
Is it really up to them
Whether this country sinks or floats
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
Hmm
(Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
Well my phone is tapped and my lips are chapped (Ooh)
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make my way of life
A little less like jail
If I promise to make tapes and slides (Ah ah)
And send them through the mail (Ah)
[Skip/glitch]
Money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
Then why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only got one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
And at every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You are far across the ocean
In a war that's not your own
And while you're winning theirs
You're gonna lose the one at home
Do you really think the only way
To bring about the peace
Is to sacrifice your children
And kill all your enemies
The politicians all make speeches
While the news men all take notes
And they exaggerate the issues
As they shove it down our throat
Is it really up to them
Whether this country sinks or floats
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
Hmm
(Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
Well my phone is tapped and my lips are chapped (Ooh)
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make my way of life
A little less like jail
If I promise to make tapes and slides (Ah ah)
And send them through the mail (Ah)
[Skip/glitch]
Money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
Then why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only got one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
lyrics version 10
I was born and raised an orphan
In a land that once was free
The (in the) land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your trick
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
Kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
And at every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You are far across the ocean
In a war that's not your own
While you're winning theirs
You're gonna lose the one at home
Do you really think the only way
To bring about the peace
Is to sacrifice your children
And kill all your enemies
Politicians all make speeches
While the news men all take notes
They exaggerate the issues
As they shove them down our throat
Is it really up to them
Whether this country sinks or floats
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
Well my phone is tapped and my lips are chapped
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make my way of life
A little less like jail
If I promise to make tapes and slides (Aah aah aah)
And send them through the mail (Aah)
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
Then why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only got one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
That one line don't ask me f' [Spoken]
In a land that once was free
The (in the) land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your trick
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
Kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
And at every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You are far across the ocean
In a war that's not your own
While you're winning theirs
You're gonna lose the one at home
Do you really think the only way
To bring about the peace
Is to sacrifice your children
And kill all your enemies
Politicians all make speeches
While the news men all take notes
They exaggerate the issues
As they shove them down our throat
Is it really up to them
Whether this country sinks or floats
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote
Well my phone is tapped and my lips are chapped
From whispering through the fence
You know every move I make
Or is that just coincidence
Will you try to make my way of life
A little less like jail
If I promise to make tapes and slides (Aah aah aah)
And send them through the mail (Aah)
And your money says in God we trust
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
Then why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answers, I've only got one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
That one line don't ask me f' [Spoken]
lyrics version 11
Okay. Stu, we have enough tape for that huh? [Spoken, by Larry]
Two [Spoken]
One two three four [Spoken, by Larry]
I was born and raised an orphan
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
At every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
One two three [Spoken]
Your money says we trust
The law in school
Reverb na la
I say you starved your children to do it
Na-na one two three [Spoken]
You're far across the ocean
In a war that's not your own
While you were winning theirs
You almost lost the one at home
Did you really think the only way
To bring about real peace
Was to sacrifice your children
And kill all your enemies
A-one two three [Spoken]
'Ticians all make speeches
Notes
And they exaggerate the issue
As they shove it down our throat
Is it really up to them
Whether our country sinks or floats
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote oh
One two three break [Spoken]
One two three [Spoken]
Well my phone is tapped, my lips are chapped
From whispering through the fence
Verse seven [Spoken]
Every move I
Get ready [Spoken]
We're gonna hold it once again
One two three [Spoken]
Wa la la la la la la
La la la la la
Na na na na na na
La la la la la
Hold it one two [Spoken]
And your money says in God we trust
Against the law, pray in school
Y' say we beat the Russians
I say you starved your children to do'it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
??? know the answers, I've only got one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
Hold this, let it resonate. Don't cut it off again one time
Okay [Spoken, by Larry]
That was the one ??? [Spoken]
That was the one, you think that was the one? [Spoken, by Larry]
Yeah I think [Spoken]
Two [Spoken]
One two three four [Spoken, by Larry]
I was born and raised an orphan
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon
And when I was ten you murdered law
With courtroom politics
And you learned to make a lie sound just like truth
But I know you better now
And I don't fall for all your tricks
And you've lost the one advantage of my youth
You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
At every meal you say a prayer
You don't believe but still you keep on
One two three [Spoken]
Your money says we trust
The law in school
Reverb na la
I say you starved your children to do it
Na-na one two three [Spoken]
You're far across the ocean
In a war that's not your own
While you were winning theirs
You almost lost the one at home
Did you really think the only way
To bring about real peace
Was to sacrifice your children
And kill all your enemies
A-one two three [Spoken]
'Ticians all make speeches
Notes
And they exaggerate the issue
As they shove it down our throat
Is it really up to them
Whether our country sinks or floats
Well I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote oh
One two three break [Spoken]
One two three [Spoken]
Well my phone is tapped, my lips are chapped
From whispering through the fence
Verse seven [Spoken]
Every move I
Get ready [Spoken]
We're gonna hold it once again
One two three [Spoken]
Wa la la la la la la
La la la la la
Na na na na na na
La la la la la
Hold it one two [Spoken]
And your money says in God we trust
Against the law, pray in school
Y' say we beat the Russians
I say you starved your children to do'it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
??? know the answers, I've only got one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the son
Hold this, let it resonate. Don't cut it off again one time
Okay [Spoken, by Larry]
That was the one ??? [Spoken]
That was the one, you think that was the one? [Spoken, by Larry]
Yeah I think [Spoken]
This composition might be Larry's finest moment of socio-political observation. It is an expansive christian world view, covering many levels of concern. It makes references to the McCarthy era, the Ku Klux Klan, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and illegal wire tapping. He concludes saying he has no answers for mankind, except to follow Christ. The Planet album was in the White House library during the Carter administration and this particular song was Carter's favourite from the album.
Larry was referring to Roth v. United States (1957), in which the Warren court narrowed the definition of obscenity in such a way that resulted in the proliferation of pornography in the United States. [Quote courtesy of Greg Thornbury]