[Verse 1]
They accused me of writing songs
I was sentenced to death
Twenty-four hours to live
So long, my love
They denied my last appeal
Offered me a final meal
Twenty-four hours to go
Twenty-four hours to the show

[Chorus]
Health to the tyrant
Health to the modern state

[Verse 2]
When they tie me to the stake
What a great event I'll make
All of the ratings will soar
High as the war
And they’ll pile on the sticks
All my books and manuscripts
All of my letters and I
Will darken the sky
But the Sisters of Charity
Committed them to memory
And all of the children
Will sing like seeds on the wind
[Chorus]
Health to the tyrant
Health to the modern state
Health to the tower
Health to the southern gate

[Verse 3]
When I bring my songs to hell
All the killers and infidels
Will be spinning around
In flammable gowns
If you take the tyrant's head
They put a tyrant in his stead
No more bloodshed, my friends
Seek no revenge
Don't bring flowers to my bed
I don’t need them when I'm dead
Twenty-four hours to go
Twenty-four hours to the show

[Chorus]
Health to the tyrant
Health to the modern state
Health to the Dollar
Health to the modern state
Health to the tyrant
Health to his enemies
Health to the tyrant
Health to the southern gate