Kris Kristofferson wrote this song about a down-and-out musician, but what if we look at it as an analogy for America?
See America wasted on the sidewalk
wearing our camo and red hats.
We're wearing yesterday's misfortunes like a smile
Once we had a future full of money, love and dreams
Which we spent like they were going out of style
And we keep right on a-changing for the better or the worse
Searching for a shrine we'll never find
We've traded in tomorrow for today
And the World keeps on a'turning
For the Better or the Worse
And all we get is older and around
Never knowing if believing is a blessing or a curse
Or if the going up was worth the coming down
America's a poet
America's a liar
America's a prophet
America's a dreamer
America's a pilgrim and a preacher and a problem when we're stoned
America's a walking contradiction
Partly truth and partly fiction
Taking every wrong direction on our lonely way back home
(paraphrased from "The Pilgrim" by Kris Kristofferson)
Reference
Original Lyrics / The Pilgrim by Kris Kristofferson
See him wasted on the sidewalk, in his jacket and his jeans
Wearin' yesterday's misfortunes like a smile
Once he had a future full of money, love and dreams
Which he spent like they was goin' out of style
And he keeps right on a-changin' for the better or the worse
Searchin' for a shrine he's never found
Never knowin' if believin' is a blessin' or a curse
Or if the goin' up was worth the comin' down
He's a poet
He's a picker
He's a prophet
He's a pusher
He's a pilgrim and a preacher and a problem when he's stoned
He's a walkin' contradiction
Partly truth and partly fiction
Taking every wrong direction on his lonely way back home
He has tasted good and evil in your bedrooms and your bars
And he's traded in tomorrow for today
Runnin' from his devils, lord and reachin' for the stars
And losin' all he loves along the way
But if this world keeps right on turnin' for the better or the worse
And all he ever gets is older and around
From the rockin' of the cradle to the rollin' of the hearse
The goin' up was worth the comin' down
He's a poet
He's a liar
He's a prophet
He's a dreamer
He's a pilgrim and a preacher and a problem when he's stoned
He's a walkin' contradiction
Partly truth and partly fiction
Taking every wrong direction on his lonely way back home
