The Same Old Story (In a Troubled Land)

The wires they hum with the news of the day Another chapter in the same old play I've seen it written in the dust and the stone From the king's high castle to the beggar's thrown The names all change, but the tale is the same Of power and money, and fortune and fame So pour a drink, and lend me your earFor the story of now, from a long-ago year. Oh, the wheel of fortune, it spins and it grinds Leaving some folks winners, and some left behind From the courthouse steps to the southern sand It's the same old story in a troubled land Yeah, the same old story in a troubled land.

In a city of glass, a former king stood tall Then a jury of twelve made him stumble and fall Thirty-four counts, a paper trail read Of money paid out, and words better left unsaid For a silent star and a campaign's price They said he rolled a dangerous dice Now the nation's divided on what it all means Just another act in these political scenes. Oh, the wheel of fortune, it spins and it grinds Leaving some folks winners, and some left behind From the courthouse steps to the southern sand It's the same old story in a troubled land

Yeah, the same old story in a troubled land. Down on the border, the sun beats with might President Biden signed a paper last night He says the door is closed when the numbers get high For the hopeful souls 'neath a desperate sky Seeking asylum, a place to belong But the law is a river, not always a song And another promise turns to dust on the breeze Rustling the leaves on the tired old trees. And the sun keeps burning the western ground A President's son in a courtroom is bound The headlines flicker, a furious stream

Like a half-remembered, feverish dream Some call it justice, some call it a sham Some blame the lion, and some blame the lamb But I've sung this tune through the sun and the rain And I know I'll be singing this story again. Oh, the wheel of fortune, it spins and it grinds Leaving some folks winners, and some left behind From the courthouse steps to the southern sand It's the same old story in a troubled land Yeah, the same old story in this troubled land.