The Modern Rome Burning

Anti-Flag · The Bright Lights of America [2008]

How did we get into this mess?

The question is a hypothetical...



The answers are

Written on the face of the oppressed



Sent to death at just 19

Forevermore to be unseen

His mother with tears in her eyes

Crying to God

She calls out, "Why!?!?"



She'll find her answers

On the face of the oppressed



I bow my head in respect

Of the dead



Because we're all bogged down

And there ain't no fucking S.O.S

That's going to save our sinking ship

Because we're all bogged down

No there ain't no fucking S.O.S

That's gonna save our sinking ship (Our ship)



How did we get into this mess?

The question is a bona fide literal

The answers are written on the face of the oppressed



We all the know the answers why

They sold a lie to build Versailles!

You can roll over and die

Or you can rain down hell tonight!



You'll find your answer

On the face of the oppressed



I bow my head in respect

Of the dead



Because we're all bogged down

And there ain't no fucking S.O.S.

That's going to save our sinking ship

Because we're all bogged down

And no there ain't no fucking S.O.S.

That's going to save our sinking ship (Our ship)



In the ash of your city lies fertile ground

(In the ash of your city lies fertile ground)

In the ash of your city lies fertile ground

(In the ash of your city lies fertile ground)



This nation's burning, burning down

(This nation's burning, burning down)

This nation's burning to the ground



This is the modern Rome burning

Let it burn

This is the modern Rome burning

Let it burn

This is the modern Rome burning

Let it burn

Let it burn



This is New York burning

This is Boston burning

This is Omaha burning



This is Washington burning

This is Pittsburgh burning

This is Birmingham burning



This is the modern Rome burning

Let it burn

Let it burn

(Burn, burn, burn)