"Grievance Merchants" lyrics - DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS

As long as there've been stories, lies and airwaves
What makes a man a man's been right up front
In visions boys are sold of what it could be
Grievance when it ain't like what they thought

When money and respect seemed to elude him
Being white alone don't make the ladies swoon
There's no shortage when it comes to hearing voices
Telling him it's him that's done it too

Say his trouble with the ladies can't be his fault
After all he's what it's natural they should want
There's just outside voices turning them against him
A conspiracy to water down his blood
Conspiracy to water down his blood
And it's the fault of it, or them, or they
Give a boy a target for his grievance
And he might get it in his head they need to pay

Yeah, giving boys targets for their grievance
And then mocking those who bear the pain they cause
It takes a certain special kind of someone
To cash the check it brings and sweep it off

The demonizing of the troubled mind
With all the usual suspects at the scene
Merchants selling young men reclamation
Merchants welling old men back their dreams

Oh, suspended disbelief and wishful thinking
Comes the vision of a special hell for conners (conners)
Who sell the marks the doubt it even happened (happened)
An eternity for every tear they've mocked (mocked)
An eternity for every tear they've mocked (mocked)
May the price of freedom finally be their own
May our thoughts and our prayers keep them company
As they wallow in their helplessness alone
May our thoughts and our prayers keep them company
As they wallow in their helplessness alone