Don't wave that flag in my face
You don't have energy to waste
Your arms will break your legs will crack
From marching back and forth and back
You hear a scream and take the bait
We all need a reason to hate
The theater of war is sold out
"give us an encore!" the audience shouts

The general died at dawn he wanted to live but not too long
Some things have more power when they're no longer here
Ideas to believe in that are not clear

A slogan makes the logic stop
Until you're ready to join the mob
But who's gonna buy 'bloodshed'
When you can sell 'pride' instead
Nothin' wrong with national pride
Except when it eats you up inside
And all you can see is red
And the only good foreigner is dead

The general died at dawn he wanted to live but not too long
Some things have more power when they're no longer here
Ideas to believe in that are not clear