Long Road Out of Eden

Moon shining down through the palms

shadows moving on the sand

somebody whispering the twenty-third psalm

dusty rifle in his trembling hands

somebody trying just to stay alive

he got promises to keep

over the ocean in america

far away and fast asleep

silent stars blinking in the blackness of an endless sky

cold silver satellites ghostly caravans passing by

galaxies unfolding new worlds being born

pilgrims and prodigals creeping toward the dawn

but it's a long road out of eden

music blasting from an suv

on a bright and sunny day

rolling down the interstate

in the good ol' usa

having lunch at the petroleum club

smokin' fine cigars and swappin' lives

he said: "gimme 'nother slice o' that barbecued brisket "

gimme other piece o' that pecan pie "

freeways flickering cell phones chiming a tune

we're riding to utopia road map says we'll be arriving soon

captains of the old order clinging to the reins

assuring us these aches inside are only growing pains

but it's a long road out of eden

back home i was so certain

the path was very clear

but now i have to wonder that are we doing here

I'm not counting on tomorrow

and i can't tell wrong from right

but i'd give anything to be there in your arms tonight

weaving down the american highway

through the litter and the wreckage and the cultural junk

bloated with entitlement loaded on propaganda

and now we're driving dazed and drunk

been down the road to damascus

the road to mandalay

met the ghost of caesar on the appian way

he said "it's hard to stop this bingeing once you get a taste "

"but the road to empire is a bloody stupid waste "

behold the bitten apple - the power of the tools

but all the knowledge in the world is of no use to fools

and it's a long road out of eden