[Verse 1 - Weary and rhythmic, like hauling a heavy line] It's a long and a weary pull, me lads, upon this ghostly tide The Ship of State, she sails along, with nowhere left to hide Her gilded masts reach for the sky, a pleasing sight to see But down below, the timbers groan, for you and for me [Chorus - Strong, embittered unison, with a heavy beat] Oh, heave away, and watch her sway, this vessel old and grand She takes the pay, from every day, we sweat upon the land But shields us not from greedy hands, nor vultures from afar Just lines her hold with bought-off gold, and leaves a bleeding scar [Verse 2 - Cynical and pointed, like a bitter truth shared in hushed tones] The Cap'n's men, they walk the deck, but serve a different king The ones with coin who write the code, and make the coffers sing Their taxes waived, a gentle breeze, while ours are gales we fight They buy the laws that line their path, and steal the people's right [Chorus - Strong, embittered unison, with a heavy beat] Oh, heave away, and watch her sway, this vessel old and grand She takes the pay, from every day, we sweat upon the land But shields us not from greedy hands, nor vultures from afar Just lines her hold with bought-off gold, and leaves a bleeding scar [Verse 3 - Darker, more accusatory, focusing on the betrayal] They feast on high, these chosen few, while the common sailor starves Their fortunes swell from policies, that carve us into halves The foreign deals, the corporate schemes, all blessed by purchased seals While we who built this cursed old ship, are crushed beneath its wheels [Chorus - Stronger, angrier unison, a pounding rhythm] Oh, heave away, and watch her sway, this vessel old and grand She takes the pay, from every day, we sweat upon the land But shields us not from greedy hands, nor vultures from afar Just lines her hold with bought-off gold, and leaves a bleeding scar [Bridge - Slowing tempo, a heavy sigh of resignation and dawning fury] We swore an oath to keep her true, to guard her sacred name But those she serves don't pay their due, they rig the wicked game The politicians bought and sold, the people's trust betrayed This ain't the ship of common good, but a gilded, rich man's parade [Outro - Fading, mournful, with a final, defiant surge of bitter resolve] So haul the lines and let her drift, toward the rocks and spray She's failed her crew, she's failed the call, come judgment day Heave ho… they’ve sold us all… heave ho… and watch her fall.
