[Intro: Serj Tankian]
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
Ooh!

[Verse 1: Serj Tankian]
Following the rights movements
You clamped down with your iron fists
Drugs became conveniently
Available for all the kids
Following the rights movements
You clamped down with your iron fists
Drugs became conveniently
Available for all the kids

[Pre-Chorus: Serj Tankian & Daron Malakian]
I buy my crack, I smack my bitch
Right here in Hollywood
Nearly 2 million Americans are incarcerated
In the prison system
The prison system of the US

[Chorus: Serj Tankian & Daron Malakian]
THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD A PRISON!
They're trying to build a prison!
They're trying to build a prison!
They're trying to build a prison!
FOR YOU AND ME TO LIVE IN!
Another prison system!
Another prison system!
Another prison system!
FOR YOU AND ME!
[Verse 2: Serj Tankian]
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons
You don't even flinch
All our taxes paying for your wars
Against the new non-rich
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons
You don't even flinch
All our taxes paying for your wars
Against the new non-rich

[Pre-Chorus: Serj Tankian & Daron Malakian]
I buy my crack, I smack my bitch
Right here in Hollywood
The percentage of Americans
In the prison system, prison system
Has doubled since 1985

[Chorus: Serj Tankian & Daron Malakian]
THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD A PRISON!
They're trying to build a prison!
They're trying to build a prison!
They're trying to build a prison!
FOR YOU AND ME TO LIVE IN!
Another prison system!
Another prison system!
Another prison system!
FOR YOU AND ME!
For you and I, you and I, you and I
You and I!
They're trying to build a prison!
They're trying to build a prison!
They're trying to build a prison!
For you and me
Oh, baby, you and me
[Bridge: Serj Tankian]
All research and successful drug policy
Shows that treatment should be increased
And law enforcement decreased
While abolishing mandatory minimum sentences
All research and successful drug policy
Shows that treatment should be increased
And law enforcement decreased
While abolishing mandatory minimum sentences
Utilizing drugs to pay for secret wars around the world
Drugs are now your global policy
Now you police the globe

[Pre-Chorus: Serj Tankian & Daron Malakian]
I buy my crack, I smack my bitch
Right here in Hollywood
Drug money is used to rig elections
And train brutal corporate-sponsored dictators
Around the world

[Chorus: Serj Tankian & Daron Malakian]
THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD A PRISON!
They're trying to build a prison!
They're trying to build a prison!
They're trying to build a prison!
FOR YOU AND ME TO LIVE IN!
Another prison system!
Another prison system!
Another prison system!
FOR YOU AND ME!
For you and I, you and I, you and I
For you and me!
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
For you and me
Oh, baby, you and me