[Intro]) [Verse 1] The factory's closing down again, The rent goes up, the wages bend. They tell us this is just the price Of keeping everything “efficient” and nice. The little shops are disappearing, The screens keep talking, everybody's fearing. A thousand cuts, a thousand rules, While somebody's counting up the fools. [Chorus] Why the world is running down, Why the world is running down, Someone keeps pulling the plug While they're smiling in the town. Why the world is running down, Why the world is running down, They say it's just the market— But who's been moving things around? [Verse 2] They say we need another sacrifice, Another emergency will make things right. “Just one more measure, just one more year, Just do as you're told and everything's clear.” The middle shrinks, the debts grow tall, And somehow we're responsible for all. You lose your home, you lose your say, Then they tell you that you've had a good day. [Chorus] Why the world is running down, Why the world is running down, Keep the people frightened, Keep them looking at the ground. Why the world is running down, Why the world is running down, Maybe it's incompetence— Maybe there's a plan. [Bridge] Maybe there is someone Writing every line. Maybe there is nobody— Just greed and bad design. Maybe all the theories Are a castle built on air. But when the same few people Keep ending up everywhere… [Verse 3] They'd like us small and manageable, Quiet, useful, interchangeable. A password, a number, a digital face, A little obedient cog in place. But people aren't machines to programme, And history doesn't follow anyone's plan. You can push a population down, But sooner or later they'll turn around. [Chorus] Why the world is running down, Why the world is running down, You can keep us frightened, But you can't keep us bound. Why the world is running down, Why the world is running down, You can own the system— But you don't own every mind. [Final Verse] So don't give them your anger, Don't give them your fear. Don't become the monster You've been told is hiding here. Think harder, check the evidence, Question every side. Build something they can't buy, And stand together wide. [Final Chorus] Why the world is running down, Why the world is running down, Maybe there's a hidden hand, Maybe we're just going round. Why the world is running down, Why the world is running down, Whatever lies behind it— We don't have to play along. [Outro] The world's running down… But we're still standing. The world's running down… And we're still thinking. You can close the factories, You can close the door— But you can't make people Believe forevermore. Why the world is running down? Maybe that's the question. Why the world is running down? And who's afraid we'll ask? (Outro:)
