American Ruse (1969)

They told you in school about the freedom
But when you try to be free, they never let you
They said, "It's easy, nothing to it"
And now the army's out to get ya

69 America in terminal stasis
The air's so thick, it's like drowning in molasses
I'm sick and tired of paying these dues
And I'm finally getting hip to the American ruse

I learned to say the pledge of allegiance
Before they beat me bloody down at the station
They haven't got a word out of me since
I got a billion years probation

69 America in terminal stasis
The air's so thick, it's like drowning in molasses
I'm sick and tired of paying these dues
And I'm sick to my guts of the American ruse

Phony stars (oh, no)
Crummy cars (oh, no)
Cheap guitars (oh, no)
Joe's primitive bar (nah)
Rock 'em back, Sonic!

The way they pull you over it's suspicious
Yeah, for something that just ain't your fault
If you complain they're gonna get vicious
Kick in your teeth and charge you with assault

Yeah, but I can see the chickens coming home to roost
Young people everywhere are gonna cook their goose
Lots of kids are working to get rid of these blues
'Cause everybody's sick of the American ruse

Well, well, well (take a look around)
Well, well, well (take a look around)
Well, well, well (take a look around)
Well, well, well (take a look around)
Well, well, well (take a look around)