Sixteen thousand people were screaming
Waving banners in front of their children
Maybe someday we can repay them
But not today
It don’t work that way

Sixteen missiles aimed in your head
Sixteen flowers for when your dead
Maybe someday we can repay them
But not today
It don’t work that way

Merit badge, a credit card
A lawn chair in your private yard
These things we give to you
With love and sweat

A silent prayer, a golden dream
A solid ground for everything
These things we hope
That you won’t forget

It don’t work that way

Sixteen thousand people were screaming
Waving banners in front of their children
Maybe someday we can repay them
But not today
It don’t work that way