Half a World Away

Who pulls the dirty strings
That wrap around the earth?
Who's choking everything
For its money's worth?
Who grows the food I eat?
Who sews the clothes I wear?
Who murders for my meat?
Who gets it here from there?
From half a world away

I'm looking through the ghost
I've learned to hear his lies
He makes a moving toast
Then drinks the river dry
I'm living in the mouth
Of the big machine
It sucks the spirit out
It sells me shiny things
From half a world away

Who made this microphone?
Who mined the metal ore?
Who takes the profit home?
Who stays poor?
Who deals the mercy out?
Who's made to beg for more?
You know I have my doubts
That I could pay my debt
That I could settle my score
From half a world away