You can walk, or you can run

You don't have to be someone

I went on a summer cruise

Upon an ocean born to lose

My brother said that he was dead

I saw his face and shook my head

Can you see where we can't be

We're losing our blood in the sea

'Cause it's the state of the nation

That's holding our salvation

Yes, it's the state of the nation

That's holding our salvation

Oh, the state of the nation

Is causing deprivation

Oh, the state of the nation

Is causing deprivation



From my home I traveled far

I drove in my stolen car

When it broke down, I kissed the ground

'Cause I don't kiss when you're around

I don't find that I have been

The portrait of an only son

If that's the case, then who could tell

Where my story had begun?

Cause it's the state of the nation

That's holding our salvation

Yes, it's the state of the nation

That's holding our salvation

Yes, the state of the nation

That's causing deprivation

Oh, the state of the nation

That's causing deprivation



Even now, I'm all alone

Behind a wall that's made of stone

I think about where we have been

And all the sights that could be seen

I know it all could be worthwhile

If only I could force a smile

Now we turn our backs to the sea

The shame of a nation we'll never be

Cause it's the state of the nation

That's holding our salvation

Yes, it's the state of the nation

That's holding our salvation

Oh, the state of the nation

Is causing deprivation

Yes, the state of the nation

Is causing deprivation