Growing up in hard times on the wrong side of the tracks

Means you're often taking short cuts and you're always looking back

But though you're running barefoot chasing dreams down dead end streets

You remember what your Momma said about the way to make ends meet

Make it mend it wear it out

Make it do or do without

Repeat

Now when my old man learned his trade they made things that would last

They would temper future vision with a knowledge of the past

And if something broke or wore out, well, you know they'd feel no shame

For they took pride in using skills to make it good again

Now the watchword is disposable and plastics rule the day

And when something now gets broken, you can only throw it away

But when the well's all dried up and the mines are all worked out

You can see this house start falling - hear the poor and hungry shout

Now politicians tell you they're both green and left or right

They can see the problem clearly they can understand our plight

But if greed's the only motive a chance for all to fill their purse

You know things can't expand forever you know that bubble's got to burst