Running Just to Stand Still

Guitar intro

Verse 1

Alarm screams,

Before the sun.

Black tea,

Keys,

And then you run.

Same four walls,

Same blue screen.

Trading daylight,

For a dead routine.

Chorus

Running, running over the hill,

Chasing down another bill.

Sell your hours,

Buy them back,

For a small house,

Near the railroad track.

Is this the same as free will?

We're running just to stand still.

Instrumental intermezzo

Verse 2

Paycheck hits,

Then disappears.

Groceries,

Rent,

And the hidden fees of fear.

Weekend’s gone,

Folding shirts,

Folding time.

Dreams on layaway,

Just waiting in a line.

Chorus

Running, running over the hill,

Chasing down another bill.

Sell your hours,

Buy them back,

For a small house,

Near the railroad track.

Is this living or a drill?

We're running,

Running just to stand still.

Bridge

Once I had a plan,

That became a dream.

Did I trade it for comfort,

Or part of the machine?

Every raise feels,

Like a longer chain,

Shining like a promise,

Then tightening again.

Guitar solo

Verse 3

Furnace roars,

Needs more coal.

Sign here,

Click buy,

Give another piece of soul.

Profits climb,

Wages freeze.

Begging for a single drop,

While they drain the seas.

Chorus

Ohh, we're running over the hill.

Chasing down another bill.

Sell your hours,

Buy them back,

In a small house,

Near the railroad track.

Is this really all?

A leaking cup to fill?

Running,

Guitar solo

Spoken word

We're all running to stand still (Hey! Hey! Hey!)

What are you waiting for (Hey! Hey! Hey!)

Get in line and get paid! (Hey! Hey! Hey!)

Now give it back again! (Hey! Hey! Hey!)

Yeah, you heard me (Hey! Hey! Hey!)

That's how it works, man! (Hey! Hey! Hey!)

I didn't write the rules (Hey! Hey! Hey!)

Just do what you are told

(Hey! Hey! Hey!)

(Hey! Hey! Hey!)

(Hey! Hey! Hey!)

(Hey! Hey! Hey!)