[Verse 1]
I watched you laugh
while the rent got late
Count your gold
while they count the gate
You said "work hard"
with a full plate on
Then sold that line
to the broke all day long
Made your pile
on a bent-back street
Took the crumbs
then called it "leadership"
Now your grin
got teeth of smoke
You don't build nothing
you just sell the hope
[Pre-Chorus]
Hands up
for the ones you drain
Cash out
then you act ashamed
Say less
I can read that face
You take from the weak
then you call it grace
[Chorus]
Paper on parade
Paper on parade
You'd sell the whole block
for a better shade
Paper on parade
Paper on parade
Rich in the mirror
but your soul got flayed
[Verse 2]
I see the suits
with their polished lies
Talking "growth"
while the food runs dry
You move like sharks
in a borrowed suit
Smile in the front
then you squeeze the boot
Every deal got a hidden blade
Every promise got a price tag made
For the folks below
you don't feel a thing
You ring that bell
while the poor still swing
[Pre-Chorus]
Hands up
for the ones you drain
Cash out
then you act ashamed
Say less
I can read that face
You take from the weak
then you call it grace
[Chorus]
Paper on parade
Paper on parade
You'd sell the whole block
for a better shade
Paper on parade
Paper on parade
Rich in the mirror
but your soul got flayed
[Bridge]
[Half-time]
Tell me now
who fed the lie?
Was it always blood
under the tie?
I won't kneel
for your fake kings
I hear the cough
when the whole room sings
No peace
in a pocket full of grief
No sleep
for the thief with the feast
[Breakdown]
Your money don't save you
Your money don't save you
Hands on the throat
and the truth won't break through
[Final Chorus]
Paper on parade
Paper on parade
You'd sell the whole block
for a better shade
Paper on parade
Paper on parade
Rich in the mirror
but your soul got flayed
Paper on parade
Paper on parade
All that you hoard
turns rotten someday