Everybody’s been bought and paid for
It makes us cynical and sad
Everybody’s worn out and weary
Too many years of getting mad

Hasn’t been justice, hasn’t been peace,
Righteous anger but no release
We know that violence is not the way
But how many dues do we have to pay
How many fallen along the way

Oh when, when will we get there
To the place where we can stand together
How do we take back the earth
How do we take back the earth

When are the meek gonna rise up
Wipe all the tears from our eyes
Give each other a hand up
When will people all stand up
And fight for our grandchildren’s lives
Figure out how to survive
This planet we’ve changed with our strange, strange ways

All the good people caring for people
Trying to make life better for all
So many struggling alone with their burdens
No one to catch them if they should fall

Our heroes are selling us sports cars
Our leaders are telling us lies
Our scientists tell us to worry
Our media tell us to buy

They’ve made us so ugly, so stupid,
They’ve taught us to fear and to hate
Let’s not sit down on our couches
And get up when it’s far too late

Oh when, when will we get there
To the place where we can stand together
How do we take back the earth
How do we take back the earth