The State Lyrics

Derek Webb The State

i was free to live and love
and kill as i saw fit
i was at peace, there really was
no one i was at war with
the only common good
was that we understood
that laws unjust
were only good for breaking
that difference legalized instead of sameness
left nobody free

that was the day before
i married my conscience to the state

my taxes paid, these roads were laid
to places of my choosing
there were no eyes up in the skies
looking down into my bed
there was no government without our consent
keys were made for anyone who just claimed it
glass was all of every wall that framed it
from sea to shining sea

that was the day before
i married my conscience to the state

right and wrong were written on my heart
and not just in the laws that condemn me
now with caesar satisfied i can even do the things
that should offend me