Border Agents or Thought Police?
Are we a land of the free, or just a faded memory, Of a truth that’s lost in time?
[Verse 1]
There’s a plane from across the ocean
A writer lands with dreams in hand
But the steel-eyed men are waiting
With questions written in the sand
Why’d you write about the protests?
Why’d you question the mighty throne?
Now his voice is marked as danger
And they send him back alone
[Chorus]
Are they border agents or thought police?
When did words become the crime?
Are we a land of the free, or just a faded memory
Of a truth that’s lost in time?
Are they border agents or thought police?
Is your conscience contraband?
When the First Amendment’s buried deep
Who’ll take a final stand?
[Verse 2]
They held him under neon glare
Nine hours at LAX
His blog was read, his soul laid bare
For daring to second-guess
Deleted posts can’t save you now
They’ve got files on what you say
Once the land of liberty
Now a stage for fear’s dark play
[Chorus]
Are they border agents or thought police?
When did words become the crime?
Are we a land of the free, or just a faded memory
Of a truth that’s lost in time?
Are they border agents or thought police?
Is your conscience contraband?
When the First Amendment’s buried deep
Who’ll take a final stand?
[Bridge]
Lincoln said it, Reagan too
Let foolish speech meet speech that’s wise
But now the foolish rule the gate
And truth is smothered under lies
Every voice they silence now
Is one less light against the dark
And every book they choose to burn
Leaves a scar upon our heart
[Final Chorus]
Are they border agents or thought police?
When did freedom lose its name?
Are we a land of the brave, or just a silent, shivering grave
Of a dream that died in shame?
Are they border agents or thought police?
Are we shackled, are we free?
When they come for every voice but yours
Will you speak for you and me?