"Sons Of The Second Sons" lyrics - JAMES MCMURTRY

In the old world when your race was run
It all went to the eldest son
What's the poor second son to do?
But join up with the common man
Set sail for the promised land
Across the mighty ocean blue
And they made us who we are
So let's wave those stripes and stars

[Chorus 1:]
For the sons of the second sons
Products of genocide
Polishin' up their guns
Righteous and justified
Sons of the peasantry
Thinkin' they're finally free
Sons of the faithful serfs
Salt of the blessed Earth
In search of a master

And for a while we did okay
Or lookin' back it seems that way
Tried to put our best foot down
We left tracks in the lunar dust
Did away with the meaner stuff
All could ride at the front of the bus now
Didn't need no Jim Crow car
And we thought we'd come so far

[Chorus 2:]
Sons of the second sons
Products of genocide
Polishin' up our guns
Eatin' that southern fried
Sons of the peasantry
Tellin' ourselves we're free
Sons of the faithful serfs
Salt of the blessed Earth
In search of a savior

Nowadays we're feelin' stressed
It's all for us and damn the rest
Tellin' each other have a blessed day
All camoed up and standin' tall
Buildin' bombs and border walls
As all collective conscience falls away
And they wave those stars and bars
Is that really who we are?

[Chorus 3:]
Sons of the second sons
Products of genocide
Polishin' up our guns
Payin' on double-wides
Sons of the peasantry
Tellin' ourselves we're free
Sons of the loyal serfs
Salt of the blessed Earth
In search of a savior

[Chorus 4:]
Sons of the second sons
Products of genocide
Polishin' up our guns
Livin' in double-wides
Sons of the peasantry
Tellin' ourselves we're free
Sons of the pagan serfs
Salt of the fuckin' Earth
In search of a Caesar