As long as there have been stories, lies, and airwaves What makes a man a man's been right up front In visions boys are sold of what it could be Grievance when it ain't like what they thought When money and respect seem to elude him And being white alone don't make the ladies swoon There's no shortage when it comes to hearin' voices Tellin' him it's him that's done unto Say his trouble with the ladies can't be his fault After all, he's what it's natural they should want There's just outside forces turnin' them against him A conspiracy to water down his blood A conspiracy to water down his blood And it's all the fault of "it", or "them", or "they" Give a boy a target for his grievance And he might get it in his head they need to pay Yeah, givin' boys targets for their grievance And then mockin' those who bear the pain they cause It takes a certain special kinda someone To cash the check it brings and sleep at all The demonizin' of the trouble-minded With all the usual suspects on the scene Merchants sellin' young men reclamation Merchants sellin' old men back their dreams Oh, in suspended disbelief and wishful thinkin' Comes the vision of a special hell for cons Who sell their marks the doubt it even happened An eternity for every tear they mock An eternity for every tear they mock May the price of freedom finally be their own May our thoughts and our prayers keep them company As they wallow in their helplessness alone May our thoughts and our prayers keep them company As they wallow in their helplessness alone