Plastic Ribbons (Variation 4)

Congratulations

Throw confetti in the dirt

You earned it

Pin the medal where it hurts

Plastic ribbons on a cheap wool

coat

Parade marches while they strangle my

note

Brass band playing while the tears

run cold

Sold my loyalty for tin and

lead They handed me a velvet

box instead

Open it up,

nothing inside Just a printed receipt

for friends who died

Itemized list of the debts you

owe Stolen lives in a circus

show

Keep your plastic,

pay your toll

You can't buy back a broken

soul

Stand at attention for a dead

man's trade Burn down the podium,

crash the parade

Good little soldier,

you owe me peace Good little

soldier, drag your medals in the

mud

Explosive payment, account overdue The whole

ceremony was a lie from you

Suit shaking hands with a dirty

grip Lip service on a sinking

ship

You give a paper badge for

a ruined spine

Walk the high line while I

crawl on mine

Hardcore payback, crew locked tight

No surrender in the dark tonight

Receipt in my fist,

black ink smeared

I am the reckoning you always

feared

Step in line

Take your prize

Stand at attention for a dead

man's trade Burn down the podium,

crash the parade Good little soldier,

you owe me peace Good little

soldier, drag your medals in the

mud

Explosive payment, account overdue The whole

ceremony was a lie from you

Keep the velvet

Keep the box

Change the keys on all your locks

Account closed

Invoice due

Account closed Coming for you