Larry Norman
Great American Novel
I was born and raised an orphan
In a land that once was free
In a land that poured its love out on the moon
And I grew up in the shadows
Of your silos filled with grain
But you never helped to fill my empty spoon

You kill a black man at midnight
Just for talking to your daughter
Then you make his wife your mistress
And you leave her without water
And the sheet you wear upon your face
Is the sheet your children sleep on
You say your prayer at every meal
You don't believe but still you keep on

And your money says 'In God We Trust'
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it

We are far across the ocean
In a war that's not our own
And while we're winning theirs
We're gonna lose the one at home
Do you really think the only way
To bring about the peace
Is to sacrifice your children
And kill all your enemies?
The politicians all make speeches
And the newsmen all take note
And they exaggerate the issues
As they shove them down our throats
Is it really up to them
Whether this country sinks or floats
Well, I wonder who would lead us
If none of us would vote

And your money says 'In God We Trust'
But it's against the law to pray in school
You say we beat the Russians to the moon
And I say you starved your children to do it
You say all men are equal, all men are brothers
Then why are the rich more equal than others
Don't ask me for the answer, I've only got one
That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the Son

When he follows the Son, yeah
Whoa-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-whoa
Oh-oh-oh...
Follow the Son
Follow the Son
Oh-whoa, oh-whoa
Gotta wake up for man
Gotta wake up and follow Jesus