This Is Not Utopia

Like a shot without a warning

Lies a life that's left behind

And though I try, it's something I just can't unsee

It's burned into my mind

And I wake up in the morning

News keeps flashing on my eyes

These dying streets are bruised and beaten

And riot flags are waving

Poor and weak, we extend this streak

These lives we could be saving

Life is cheap, I sit and weep

'Cause there's just no mistaking

Oh, this is not Utopia

The roots of America

Are the roots of hysteria

The rules don't matter anymore

This is not utopia

The roots of America

Are the roots of hysteria

And you don't matter anymore

The better angels of our nature

Well, they've gone away to hide

Brutality I can't unsee

These pictures are just burned into my mind

It's commotion in slow motion

It's humanity denied

A violent race, punch in the face

With all this hate how can we all survive?

And if a change is coming

What makes it take so long?

And if a change is coming

Why sing the same old song?

This is not Utopia

The roots of America

Are the roots of hysteria

The rules don't matter anymore

This is not utopia

The roots of America

The roots of hysteria

And you don't matter anymore

This is not Utopia

The roots of America

Are the roots of hysteria

And you don't matter anymore

This is not utopia

So how long must we wait?

Until love conquers hate?

And heal these hearts

'Cause it all starts right here