GREEN
M.TRAZ Lyrics

The wheelbarrow's fallen
Something has gone wrong and things are going downhill.

Look at my hands
The singer is drawing attention to themselves and their situation.

They've found some surplus cheaper hands
Others are being brought in to do the work for less money, making the singer's own position more precarious.

Rubbing palms and pick and choose
People are making deals and choosing who they will work with and for, leaving some out in the cold.

Who will they choose?
The artist is worried about being left behind or let go entirely in favor of someone else.

Here is the news
The situation is serious and requires attention and action.

Look at that building
The singer is pointing out something significant that is happening in their surroundings.

Look at this man
Once again, the artist is drawing attention to someone in their surroundings, someone who is likely benefiting from the situation at the expense of others.

Haloed and whitewashed
The man is being painted as a hero or a savior, but in reality, he may be part of the problem.

Gone to find a cheaper hand
The man is continuing to exploit others for his own benefit, looking for even more inexpensive labor to use and discard.

He'll offer a pound
The man is essentially bribing someone to work for him, promising them just enough to make it seem worthwhile even as they are being taken advantage of.

Green grow the rushes go
This line serves as a refrain, returning throughout the song to emphasize the idea of growth and change that is continually promised yet never delivered.

The compass points the workers home
The only true direction and purpose for the workers is to find their way back to their own homes and families at the end of a long day of labor.

Pay for your freedom
The idea of freedom is being used as a carrot to tempt people into signing up for work that is anything but free or liberating.

Or find another gate
There may be other opportunities or paths to take, but there is always a gatekeeper in the way, ready to take advantage of those who are desperate enough to keep trying.

Guilt by associate
The sense of culpability and wrongdoing is pervasive, and even those who are not directly responsible are still implicated by their proximity and complicity in the situation.

The rushes wilted a long time ago
The promise of prosperity and growth has long since passed, and the only thing left is decay and neglect.

Guilty as you go
The singer is suggesting that everyone is at fault for the state of things, even as they are forced to keep moving and navigating the turmoil and exploitation around them.

Stay off that highway
There may be tempting offers and opportunities on the horizon, but they are likely to be dangerous or detrimental in the long run.

Word is, it's not so safe
The rumors and warning signs are everywhere, and the artist is urging caution and skepticism in the face of these potential traps and pitfalls.

The grasses that hide the greenback
The true source of wealth and power is often disguised or obscured, hidden beneath layers of false promises and illusions.

The amber waves of gain again
The cycle of exploitation and extraction continues, always promising riches and benefits for those who can keep up with it.

La-la-la la la lye
This final refrain echoes the earlier lines, emphasizing the endless repetition and stagnation of the situation, and hinting at the futility of trying to break free from it.