I Almost Played Piano For The Army Band

I almost played piano for the army band
In my height of desperation, holding by a hand
The pay was just about the best that I could get
My undergrad could finally get me somewhere it hadn’t yet

Just another twentysomething living in a run-down slum
Graduation, no occupation, scraping by on twigs and crumbs
Holdin’ hope that life could hold something more than this
I took the call from Uncle Sam, got ready to enlist

chorus
But to justify the G-men
Who sent my friends to pointless wars
And play for those who only know how to hide
Woah, woah
The tension when the worlds collide
I’ll starve before I take their side
And the band is playing the songs of the fascist tide

I almost ended up an enlisted man
Playing ceremonies for old war hawks I couldn’t stand
Lookin’ like a Nutcracker cosplay with my dress blues on
Yeah I know I clean up well, but I just don't belong

Just another twentysomething with a buzz cut and a fade
Hoping if I get through boot camp, maybe then I’ll have it made
I’ll try and get poached by the Air Force, they might let me fly a plane
Or maybe fuck this shit, because I think I’ve gone insane

But to justify the g-men
Who sent my friends to die for oil
And play for those who sent them into the night
Woah, woah
I can’t support their genocide
I’ll starve before I take their side
And the band is playing the sound of the fascist tide

I could have wound up as a broken man
Who couldn’t play piano anymore with his shaking hands
Or wound up hating music when he’s finally gone
Wondering if he could have been in comp sci all along

Just another grizzled vet who can’t adjust to normal life
Saddled with four Army brats and got no lovin' for his wife
Always thinking that he could have been much more than this
And thinkin all about the opportunities he missed

So he justified the g-men
Who sent his friends to colonize
And he played for those who don’t care for human lives
But I can’t support their genocide
I’ll starve before I take their side
And the band is playing the revolution tonight