The Hand That Feeds
Nine Inch Nails Lyrics

You're keeping in step
You're following the rules and conforming to the expectations of society.

In the line
You're doing what everyone else is doing, and not questioning why.

Got your chin held high and you feel just fine
You're putting on a facade of confidence and contentment, even though you know something isn't right.

'Cause you do
You obey orders without question because you've been conditioned to do so.

What you're told
You're blindly following whoever has authority over you.

But inside your heart it is black and it's hollow and it's cold
You're empty inside, and you know something is wrong with the world, but you're too afraid to do anything about it.

Just how deep do you believe?
How strongly do you hold your convictions and beliefs?

Will you bite the hand that feeds?
Will you betray those who have given you power and authority to challenge the status quo?

Will you chew until it bleeds?
Are you willing to suffer the consequences that come with challenging the system of power that feeds you?

Can you get up off your knees?
Can you stand up for yourself and your beliefs, and not continue to submit to authority?

Are you brave enough to see?
Are you willing to confront the harsh realities of the world, and not look away?

Do you wanna change it?
Do you want to make things better, even if it means going against the norms and conventions of society?

What if this whole crusade's a charade
What if the cause that you're fighting for is just an elaborate deception?

And behind it all there's a price to be paid
There are consequences to challenging authority and the status quo.

For the blood on which we dine
The system of power and authority is fueled by exploitation and suffering.

Justified in the name of the holy and the divine
Those in power use religion as a justification for their actions, even if it means causing harm to others.

So naive
You're foolish to think that things will get better if you just keep obeying and conforming.

I keep holding on to what I wanna believe
You're clinging to the hope that things will get better, despite evidence to the contrary.

I can see
You're aware of the problems and injustices in the world.

But I keep holding on and on and on and on
You're having trouble mustering the courage to take action.

Will you stay down on your knees?
Will you continue to submit to authority and not fight for change?

Will you bite the hand that feeds you?
Will you be brave enough to challenge authority and the status quo, even if it means suffering the consequences?