1. NOT BY BIRTH

I owe you nothing
I pay tribute to no image or symbol
that stands for what I cannot support
Shunning the needs of common man
And all of those it was meant to help
A dollar to a prison
A dime to a man in need
A priority misunderstood,
As the country goes it's way.
I owe nothing to this which
I never chose to belong
I refuse to claim the name.
Of a label stolen with no regard.
Not by birth
Confusion sets in to those who close off
opportunity. Self proclaimed inheritors,
Deny these rights to others
I have no place with you, so don't extend your hand
You embrace me only to watch me, not to include me.


2. SLAVE

Slave... to you obsession.
A danger in holding something in such a high regard.
You lose sight of yourself when you idolize another.
In your world I am your god
You strive to become what you think I am.
When you see me you want to see yourself.


3. BROKEN PROMISES

As I continue to try to free myself.
I'm restrained by my own vice.
A most surprising weakness.
That's so hard to identify.
Thinking back upon myself.
I often chose without much thought
Much more is of consequence.
Pure pleasure or from the heart.
Just another addiction.
Will I ever gain control.
Or will I make the same mistakes.
Confusing love and physical lust.
I continue to let it trap me.
Restrained... By my own actions
Restrained... without emotion.
Another aspect of control. Another time I've been deceived.
Another choice. That got the best of me.
Broken promises. For moments of a false emotion.
Broken promises. Never again.


4. PUPPET AND SOLDIER

Evision yourself on a pedestal.
A thought you never erased
Causing the picture that you see
To be so easily distorted.
Your world has thought you well
You joined what you were so much against
At least you thought
Puppet, soldier another clone
Puppet, soldier relieve your hate, relieve your pain
You live in a world of fear
One where what's inside is never realized
Each with something special
Never to be shared
An image you created, in the corner of your mind.
That isn't even there
Ability to accept
You mask it with all you learned,
Now comfort yourself
you're not like them at all
You live in a world of fear
One where what's inside may never be seen


5. NO PATH TO FOLLOW

Hand of your god feeds once a week
Say you're done your part, you give so much
As you keep building up your churches
Stained glass and needless luxuries
This problem will never go away
If only fed each day.
A security blanket woven
To comfort and ensure.
This problem will never go away.
If only fed each day.
Little thought given.
To an individual fate.
Just a lost piece of the world
Seen in the corner of your eye.
For a moment a glance is given.
But it remains, and is forgotten with time.
Your claim they will always be there.
You place the blame on them.
Instill a reason to live
An opportunity to obtain a sense of pride.
Not only stripped of shelter
But all that was inside
Each one. Alone. No Different
Each one. Still feels pain. X(4)


6. CRADLE OF EMPTY PROMISE

To only see, what's chosen for you to see. To only see,
what you've been told is real.
Birthplace of indifference, we must not accept this. X(2)
I cannot accept this. I cannot accept this.
Try to link me to your life, try to link me to your lies.
Unique in from and function.
Only from this war you gain.
So much below the surface.
So quick to shift the blame.
You can't link me to your life, you can't link me to your
lies. X(2)
Cradle of empty promise.
Once the truth is seen, it can never be lost.
Cradle of empty promise to you.


7. MARTYR

What you consume, is your true protest.
Each dollar you spend, supports what you detest.
Martyr, for your cause X(3)
You fail to see your flaws.
This is not your war. X(3)
But do you know, what you claim to stand for.
You're really not so free from blame. X(2)
I see no wrong, in taking a stand.
But do you really know for what you stand? You cannot
claim to resist, and walk this chosen path.
When you are unaware, and the same as those you blame.
You're not a matyr, you cannot be the one. X(4)