The New American Laureate

Lyrics

I received me a letter Addressed to my full name And stamped with initials I noticed right away it was different A window of plastic Very official Said, "Dear My Dear, you've been chosen To carry the torch of the formerly frozen." So I went and bought me a musket And drove to the statehouse To offer my service I have never felt anger I've always been savory And kind to my neighbor I pay the little basket at church Every Sunday and pray for The blessing of favors And now I'm a citizen soldier I'm learning to kill as I grow older And the sounds of children crying Have crossed my lips and taste delicious What has become of me A power beyond me's no longer above me And now as I sit here and smile it's For visions of violence Vicious and silent Peace has washed up upon me Like the warmth of a blanket When I was a baby Speak me not a truth Tell me not a number Call me not lazy I am reciting the lines on the ticker in lockstep Nothing concerning What was once unmoving What once was sleeping I see it turning What has become of me A power beyond me's no longer above me And now as I sit here and smile it's For visions of violence Vicious and silent Vicious and silent