Pedagogy of the Oppressed [Lyrics]

These are the lyrics to "Pedagogy of the Oppressed", the seventh song on my album The Work.

Listen on Spotify here.

Give me a face
And give me a name
Give me a pathway
To fortune and fame
Send me to school
And I'll ace all the tests
Give me a job
I’ll take care of the rest

Give me a country
A room with a view
Give me a world
That owes me what I’m due
Give me the moon
And I'll force in my flag
But give space to think
And I'll give it right back

Oh please
I need it
I need to feel great
I need to make profit
From somebody’s pain
‘Cause if love ain’t the horse
That will bear me away
Then let ‘em cower
With the power
That’s holding the reins

I need you to be less
So that I can be more
For you to drown in the ocean
So I can savor the shore
‘Cause if you ain’t the target
For all of my fear
l’ll have to admit
I don’t know what I’m doing here

Give me a church
And I'll pray for the lost
Get me elected
No matter the cost
Give me cocaine
And I'll sing like a bird
Give me a medal
And I'll show you my worth

Give me a badge
And give me a gun
Give me a slave
Or give me a son
Give me a stage
And watch me play the part
Give me a love
And watch me break his heart

Oh please
I need it
I need to feel great
I need to make profit
From somebody’s pain
‘Cause if love ain’t the horse
That will bear me away
Then let ‘em cower
With the power
That’s holding the reins

​I need you to be less
So that I can be more
For you to drown in the ocean
So I can savor the shore
‘Cause if you ain’t the target
For all of my fear
l’ll have to admit
I don’t know what I’m doing here