The Cost of Living

Every morning the ledger arrives on the desk
A quiet little war where we lose and forget
The price of a gallon, the price of a dream
We’re buying our shadows to fit in the scheme

The milk and the bread, and the soul on the side
Just sign on the dotted line, swallow your pride

Oh-oh-oh, what’s the cost of living today?
When the pieces of freedom are pawned all away?

(We pay) With the years that we don't get to keep
(We pay) While the promises put us to sleep

They talk on the screen about percentages down
While a quiet despair settles over the town
We trade in our Sundays for a chance at the rent
Wondering where all the tomorrow went

Oh, the pocket is empty, but the spirit is thin

They sold us a cage and they let us right in

Oh-oh-oh, what’s the cost of living today?
When the pieces of freedom are pawned all away?

(We pay) With the years that we don't get to keep
(We pay) While the promises put us to sleep

They say that you make your own bed in this life...
But they never tell you the cost of the knife.

No, they never tell you...
(Yeah... just breathing it in...)

Oh-oh-oh, what’s the cost of living today?
When the pieces of freedom are pawned all away?

(We pay) With the years that we don't get to keep
(We pay) While the promises put us to sleep
(We pay) With the years that we don't get to keep
(We pay) While the promises put us to sleep

Just to live... just to breathe...
(Oh-oh-oh...)
The cost of living...