They're trying to build a prison
00:08
00:11
They're trying to build a prison
00:16
00:19
Following the rights movement, you clamped on with your iron fists
00:45
Drugs became conveniently available for all the kids
00:47
Following the rights movement, you clamped on with your iron fists
00:50
Drugs became conveniently available for all the kids
00:52
I buy my crack, my smack, my bitch right here in Hollywood
00:55
(Nearly two million Americans are incarcerated in the prison system, prison system of the US)
00:59
(They're trying to build a prison)
01:03
They're trying to build a prison
01:04
They're trying to build a prison
01:06
They're trying to build a prison
01:07
(For you and me to live in)
01:08
Another prison system
01:09
Another prison system
01:11
Another prison system (for you and me)
01:11
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons, you don't even flinch
01:14
All our taxes paying for your wars against the new non-rich
01:16
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons, you don't even flinch
01:19
All our taxes paying for your wars against the new non-rich
01:21
I buy my crack, my smack, my bitch right here in Hollywood
01:23
(The percentage of Americans in the prison system, prison system, has doubled since 1985)
01:28
(They're trying to build a prison)
01:32
They're trying to build a prison
01:33
They're trying to build a prison
01:34
They're trying to build a prison
01:36
(For you and me to live in)
01:37
Another prison system
01:38
Another prison system
01:39
Another prison system (for you and me)
01:40
For you and I, you and I, you and I
01:43
You and I
01:46
They're trying to build a prison
01:47
They're trying to build a prison
01:49
They're trying to build a prison for you and me
01:50
Oh, baby, you and me
01:54
Oh
02:01
02:03
Oh
02:06
All research and successful drug policy show that treatment should be increased (oh)
02:07
And law enforcement decreased while abolishing mandatory minimum sentences (oh)
02:12
All research and successful drug policy show that treatment should be increased (oh)
02:17
And law enforcement decreased while abolishing mandatory minimum sentences
02:22
Utilising drugs to pay for secret wars around the world
02:27
Drugs are now your global policy, now you police the globe
02:32
I buy my crack, my smack, my bitch right here in Hollywood
02:37
Drug money is used to rig elections and train brutal corporate sponsored dictators around the world
02:42
(They're trying to build a prison)
02:46
They're trying to build a prison
02:47
They're trying to build a prison
02:48
They're trying to build a prison
02:49
(For you and me to live in)
02:50
Another prison system
02:52
Another prison system
02:53
Another prison system (for you and me)
02:54
For you and I, you and I, you and I
02:56
You and me
03:00
They're trying to build a prison
03:01
They're trying to build a prison
03:02
They're trying to build a prison for you and me
03:03
Oh, baby, you and me
03:08
03:17
Lyrics & Translation
Dive into System Of A Down's politically charged "Prison Song" and explore the language of social commentary. Learn how the band uses statistics and sharp lyrics to dissect the American prison system, offering a critical perspective on incarceration and drug policy. This song provides a potent example of how music can be a tool for raising awareness and sparking debate.
[English]
They're trying to build a prisonThey're trying to build a prison
Following the rights movement, you clamped on with your iron fists
Drugs became conveniently available for all the kids
Following the rights movement, you clamped on with your iron fists
Drugs became conveniently available for all the kids
I buy my crack, my smack, my bitch right here in Hollywood
(Nearly two million Americans are incarcerated in the prison system, prison system of the US)
(They're trying to build a prison)
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
(For you and me to live in)
Another prison system
Another prison system
Another prison system (for you and me)
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons, you don't even flinch
All our taxes paying for your wars against the new non-rich
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons, you don't even flinch
All our taxes paying for your wars against the new non-rich
I buy my crack, my smack, my bitch right here in Hollywood
(The percentage of Americans in the prison system, prison system, has doubled since 1985)
(They're trying to build a prison)
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
(For you and me to live in)
Another prison system
Another prison system
Another prison system (for you and me)
For you and I, you and I, you and I
You and I
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison for you and me
Oh, baby, you and me
Oh
Oh
All research and successful drug policy show that treatment should be increased (oh)
And law enforcement decreased while abolishing mandatory minimum sentences (oh)
All research and successful drug policy show that treatment should be increased (oh)
And law enforcement decreased while abolishing mandatory minimum sentences
Utilising drugs to pay for secret wars around the world
Drugs are now your global policy, now you police the globe
I buy my crack, my smack, my bitch right here in Hollywood
Drug money is used to rig elections and train brutal corporate sponsored dictators around the world
(They're trying to build a prison)
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
(For you and me to live in)
Another prison system
Another prison system
Another prison system (for you and me)
For you and I, you and I, you and I
You and me
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison for you and me
Oh, baby, you and me
Key Vocabulary
Coming Soon!
We're updating this section. Stay tuned!
Key Grammar Structures
Coming Soon!
We're updating this section. Stay tuned!
