Oh, people downcast in despair   See the disillusion everywhere   Hoping their bad luck will change   Gets a little harder everyday      People struggle, people fight   For the simple pleasures in their life   The trouble comes from everywhere   It's a little more than you can bear      I know that it will hurt   I know that it will break your heart   The way things are and the way they've been   And the way they've always been      People shallow, self absorbed   See the push and shove for their rewards   With nothing nice on their minds   You can read about it in their eyes      People ruthless, people cruel   The damage that some people do   Full of hatred, full of pride   It's enough to make you lose your mind      I know that it will hurt   I know that it will break your heart   The way things are   And the way they've been      Yeah, I know that it will hurt   I know that it will hurt   I know that it will break your heart   The way things are   And the way they've been      Don't spread the discontent   Don't spread the lies   Don't make the same mistakes   With your own life   You know a little love survives      Yeah, I know that it will hurt   I know that it will hurt   I know that it will break your heart   The way things are   And the way they've been      Don't spread the discontent   Don't spread the lies   Don't make the same mistakes   With your own life      And don't disrespect yourself   Don't lose your pride   And don't think everybody's   Gonna choose your side      Oh no, oh no   Oh no, oh no   Oh no, no, no   Oh no