Promised Land
David Rovics Lyrics

Life could've been different
My life could have taken a different path, had I been born in a different place and time.

You think I don't know
I am aware of the different possibilities my life could have taken.

I could've been born in Paris
I could have been born in Paris, France.

Or in the Wisconsin snow
I could have been born in the cold state of Wisconsin in the United States.

But I'm from this desert
But I was born in this arid, dry region of the world.

And here I will stand
I am proud of my heritage and will continue to stand up for what I believe in.

And I will meet you in the promised land
I will confront those who I perceive to be responsible for the injustices I and my people have suffered.

You know I went to college
I pursued higher education and knowledge.

To be an engineer
I studied to become an engineer, hoping to use my skills to make a positive impact.

Thought I'd do something useful
I had hoped my education would allow me to help my people in some way.

But what good is that here
However, in this region and under these circumstances, those skills and knowledge are not as useful as they could have been.

When your jet fighters bomb
When your military forces use jet fighters to drop bombs.

Any buildings that stand
When those bombs destroy any buildings that are still standing.

The life of the fighter
The life of a fighter, or soldier.

I didn't choose
I did not actively choose to become a fighter, but circumstances have led me down this path.

But I love my people
However, I have a deep love and loyalty for my people.

And I can follow your cues
I am capable of following orders, much like a soldier follows their commanding officer.

If destroying our world
If destroying the world we live in is something that your leaders have ordered.

Is your leader's command
If your leaders have issued orders to destroy our world.

Then I will meet you in the promised land
I will stand up against those who are leading the destruction of our world and confront them, no matter the consequences.

My name is Mohamed
My name is Mohamed, a common name in this region.

But I don't know if it's true
However, the identity of an individual becomes far less important when they are facing death and destruction.

If we go anyplace better
If there is a better place we go to after we die.

When our life here is through
When we die, and our time in this world is over.

But you have butchered my family
Your actions have led to the death of my family members and loved ones.

You must understand
I want you to comprehend the gravity of what you have done.

So I will meet you in the promised land
I am willing to put my life on the line to confront those who are responsible for the injustices I and my people have suffered.

I know it's not pretty
I am wary that the actions I must take are not pleasant or beautiful.

But for all that you've done
However, based on what you have done, there are consequences that must be faced.

For all the widows and orphans
For all the families and loved ones who have lost someone they loved due to these actions.

And all the wars that you've won
For all the wars that have been fought, and the resulting devastation.

I must teach you a lesson
I must take action to ensure that you understand the harm that these actions have caused.

Maybe you'll understand
Perhaps, through my actions, you will begin to comprehend the realities of what is happening in my homeland.

I will meet you in the promised land
My actions will lead me to the individuals who are responsible for the actions I have witnessed, and I will confront them, no matter the cost.

So I will get in this plane
I will board a plane to take me to where I need to go.

And when it's in the air
Once the plane is airborne.

To your symbols of power
To the places where those in power reside.

And our source of despair
To the source of the pain and suffering that we have experienced.

I'll look out through the cockpit
From the cockpit of the plane, I will survey the landscape.

And steady my hand
I will remain resolute and firm in my mission.

And I will meet you in the promised land
By going to these places of power, and taking a stand against these perceived injustices, I will meet my destiny, no matter the outcome.