Prison Song
Reedom Lyrics
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They're trying to build a prison.
Following the rights movements you clamped on with your iron fists,
Drugs became conveniently available for all the kids.
Following the rights movements you clamped on with your iron fists,
Drugs became conveniently available for all the kids.
My bitch, right here in Hollywood.
(Nearly 2 million Americans are incarcerated in the prison system, prison system of the U.S.)
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
For you and me to live in!
Another prison system,
Another prison system,
Another prison system,
For you and me!
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons
You don't even flinch,
All our taxes paying for the wars against the new-non-rich.
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons
You don't even flinch,
All our taxes paying for the wars against the new-non-rich.
I buy my crack, I smack
My bitch, right here in Hollywood.
(The percentage of Americans in the prison system, prison system has doubled since 1985)
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
For you and me to live in!
Another prison system,
Another prison system,
Another prison system,
For you and me!
For you and me!
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
For you and me.
Oh baby, you and me.
Me! ?
Me!
War research and successful drug policies shows that treatment should be increased!
Me!
And law enforcement decreased while abolishing mandatory minimum sentences!
Me!
War research and successful drug policies shows that treatment should be increased!
Me!
And law enforcement decreased while abolishing mandatory minimum sentences!
Utilizing drugs to pay for secret wars around the world,
Drugs are now your global policy, now you police the globe.
I buy my crack, I smack
My bitch, right here in Hollywood.
(Drug money is used to rig elections and train brutal corporate sponsored dictators around the world)
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
For you and me to live in!
Another prison system,
Another prison system,
Another prison system,
For you and me!
For you and me!
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
For you and me
Oh baby, you and me.
The song "Prison Song" by System of a Down is a powerful commentary on the flawed prison system and drug policies in the United States. The repetitive chorus "They're trying to build a prison, for you and me to live in" highlights the idea that society as a whole is complicit in the creation and maintenance of a corrupt system. The lyrics also criticize the government's role in perpetuating both drug use and the prison-industrial complex.
The first verse emphasizes how the government crackdown on civil rights movements in the 20th century paved the way for the drug epidemic that swept the nation. The second verse highlights how minor drug offenders are thrown into overcrowded prisons while the wealthy continue to profit from the drug trade. The bridge calls for a change in the government's approach to drug policy, arguing that treatment should be prioritized over incarceration.
Line by Line Meaning
They're trying to build a prison
The government is actively working towards building more prisons
Following the rights movements you clamped on with your iron fists
After various movements for human rights, the government has imposed strict control
Drugs became conveniently available for all the kids
As a result of the government's strict control, drugs have become easy to access for young individuals
I buy my crack, I smack
My bitch, right here in Hollywood
There is a growing drug culture in Hollywood and even celebrities are not immune to it
Nearly 2 million Americans are incarcerated in the prison system
The number of people imprisoned in the US has increased exponentially over the years
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons
You don't even flinch
People who are not involved in major crime but are drug offenders are being sentenced in large numbers
All our taxes paying for the wars against the new-non-rich
Taxpayer money is being used to facilitate wars that benefit only the rich
The percentage of Americans in the prison system has doubled since 1985
The number of Americans imprisoned has escalated drastically since 1985
War research and successful drug policies shows that treatment should be increased!
Research shows that providing treatment rather than harsh punishment can be more effective in curbing drug abuse
And law enforcement decreased while abolishing mandatory minimum sentences!
Laws that mandate strict sentences for drug offenses should be removed and law enforcement should be decreased
Utilizing drugs to pay for secret wars around the world
Drug money is being used to finance secret wars across different countries
Drugs are now your global policy, now you police the globe
Drugs have become an important aspect of government policy, which has made them responsible for policing the world
Drug money is used to rig elections and train brutal corporate sponsored dictators around the world
Drug money is being used to manipulate election outcomes and to force dictators into power
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, John Dolmayan, Serj Tankian
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind