The Way It Is

My father told me: son, it's OK to have ideals
But beliefs against your government well that won't pay your bills
You can raise your fists and publicly resist
But in the end corruption still exists

And no protest song will ever change the world
When everybody does exactly as they're told
In the end every man works for what is his
You can fight the world, but that's just how it is

Your words are not meaningless to me
I feel their honesty but it's my life that I gotta figure out for me
It's what I've always done, not what I have become
And I know the consequences that will come

And if I never reach the world or speak to people's souls
It's a passion that will not die as I grow old
It's what I choose to do, it may not work for you
But to myself I know I must be true

And no protest song will ever change the world
When everybody does exactly as they're told
In the end every man works for what is his
You can fight the world, but that's just how it is

I am not ashamed to stand right where I've stood
My beliefs they are unchanged because I believe they should
And I'll measure my success one word at a time
If the truth is spoken will I stand the test of time