Heartland
Beneath the old iron bridges, across the Victorian parksAnd all the frightened people running home before darkPast the Saturday morning cinema that lies crumbling to the groundAnd the piss-stinking shopping centre in the new side of townI’ve come to smell the seasons change, and watch the city as the sun goes down again
Here comes another winter of long shadows and high hopesHere comes another winter, waitin’ for utopiaWaitin’ for hell to freeze over
This is the land where nothing changesThe land of red buses and blue-blooded babiesThis is the place where pensioners are rapedAnd their hearts are being cut from the welfare stateLet the poor drink the milk while the rich eat the honeyLet the bums count their blessings while they count their money
So many people can’t express what’s on their mindsNobody knows them and nobody ever willUntil their backs are broken and their dreams are stolenAnd they can’t get what they want, then they’re gonna get angry!Well it ain’t written in the papers, but it’s written on the wallsThe way this country is divided to fallSo the cranes are moving on the skylineTrying to knock down this townBut the stains on the heartland can never be removedFrom this country that’s sick, sad, and confused
Here comes another winter of long shadows and high hopesHere comes another winter, waitin’ for utopiaWaitin’ for hell to freeze over
The ammunition’s been passed and the Lord’s been praisedBut the wars on the televisions will never be explainedAll the bankers gettin’ sweaty beneath their white collarsAs the pound in our pocket turns into a dollar
This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.This is the 51st state–