First-born of this American Republic
Son of this American Dream
I hope it's not the first time you've heard this
But Country isn't what it seems
This land is yours, this land is my land
We've all inherited the past
I hope it's not the first time you've heard this
The way it is ain't built to last
I take my American music cosmic
God knows these American sins run deep
I just want some truth and reconciliation
For this blood-stained bounty we've got but we can't keep
All you need to write a great county song
Three chords and a little honesty
I think that they were trying to write a great country
On a violence they didn't want to see
I take my American music cosmic
Can't wish these American sins away
I just want some truth and reconciliation
For this land and labor my ancestors stole
And handed along to me
We're funded by injustice still today
The thing I want from country music
Is what I want from my country
We've gotta find a way to talk through
The fear of our complicity
It's why we fetishize forgiveness
Because we've got a lot to bear
Just want some truth and reconciliation
For this land of hope and violence and despair
Just want some truth and reconciliation
For this land of hope and violence and despair