(Intro hook - big upbeat beat first then Tambourine) (Vocal -Male main vocal folk - whispered soft MALE voice, backing female vocal echo's) FREEDOM HAS A MONTHLY FEE [Verse 1] They told us we're free, so we nodded our heads, Then handed us bills for the roofs over our beds. Pay for the water, pay for the heat, Pay for the privilege of walking the street. Tax on the wages, tax on the pay, Tax on the things that we buy every day. Work till we're tired, work till we're old, Then wonder where all of our freedom was sold. [Pre-Chorus] Swipe that card, sign that loan, Smile for the camera, you're never alone. Keep moving forward, don't ask why... Freedom looks better when you buy it online. [Chorus] Freedom has a monthly fee, Funny little thing called democracy. Pay your taxes, pay your debt, Pay for things you haven't bought yet. They call it choice, they call it free, Then send the bill for liberty. We pay, they play, that's how it goes, They count the money while the pressure grows. [Verse 2] The bankers wear billion-dollar grins, While the working man counts what's left in his tin. The politician waves from a shiny black car, Says, "We're all together" from very, very far. They shake our hands when the cameras are near, Then disappear when election day clears. Promises sparkle beneath studio lights, Then vanish like smoke when they turn out the lights. [Pre-Chorus] Left says right and right says left, Everybody's fighting while they take the rest. Point your finger, pick a side, While the ones upstairs enjoy the ride. [Chorus] Freedom has a monthly fee, Funny little thing called democracy. Pay your taxes, pay your debt, Pay for things you haven't bought yet. They call it choice, they call it free, Then send the bill for liberty. We pay, they play, that's how it goes, They count the money while the pressure grows. [Bridge] Buy more, want more, keep up with the Jones, While ordinary people struggle for homes. Work for the weekend, sleep when you can, Spend your whole life just keeping the plan. Then one day we stop and look around, Wondering how we got so deeply bound. No iron chains, no prison bars... Just fifty years of payments on a house beneath the stars. [Breakdown — spoken / gritty blues vocal] "You're free." Sure... Just sign here. And here. And here. Oh... And don't forget the fee. [Final Chorus] Freedom has a monthly fee, But freedom isn't something they can sell to me. We built the roads, we built the towns, We kept this whole damn circus running round. We're the hands, we're the hearts, we're the working crowd, We're the quiet voices getting loud. They can keep their towers, keep their ivory throne... We know damn well who built their home. [Final Outro] We pay the price, they take the gain, Promise us sunshine, deliver the rain. They dress it up and call it free, Then send the bill for liberty. They change the faces, change the names, But somehow we still play their games. Call it freedom. Call it choice. But when the people find their voice... You'd better listen. Because we're done paying... For a freedom... That was never freeeeee (Instrumental outro)
