Hey walking through the city man I can't believe my eyes
They're reflecting back the history of our nations cries
'Cause the politicians turn around and capitalize
On the poor mans labor and the rich mans lies
We built this city but not with rock and roll
It was with our blood and our sweat and our dreams
And now they've all been bought and sold
And they're still dangling the carrot, promising us the gold,
But in a trickle down economy all we get is a lump of coal

And you know the cost of living will keep rising
While the chance of finding work is going down
Dark clouds now block what once were clear horizons
And it's my broken hands that built this filthy town

I saw the sign of the times on a freight elevator door
Contractors not allowed to exit at the loby floor
A hard day just don't pay no more,
Went from a working class hero to an eyesore
Rent-a-cop wanna check my building pass
I gotta stifle the urge to tell him he can kiss my ass
He grants me access once the signs been flashed
Then loads be out through the dock like the rest of the trash

And still the cost of living will keep rising
While the chance of finding work is going down
Dark clouds now block what once were clear horizons
And it's my broken hands that built this filthy town

Something in the air in the wind say we gotta make a change Hey hey hey hey
Can't you feel it spreading like a sickness through your veins? Hey hey hey hey
Working man stand for it's time for you to wear the crown Hey hey hey hey
We built it up and we can tear it down We built it up and we can tear it down

This goes out to Sacco and Vanzetti
And every other motherfucker who was ever armed and ready
Yeah to strike back loud like my rocksteady
And find serenity in the beauty of a homemade bom

Or else the cost of living will keep rising
And the chance of finding work will drop on down
I say stand your ground and fuck their bleak horizons!
We built it up and we can tear it down

Something in the air in the wind say we gotta make a change Hey hey hey hey
Can't you feel it spreading like a sickness through your veins? Hey hey hey hey
Working man stand for it's time for you to wear the crown Hey hey hey hey
We built it up and we can tear it down Tear it down
We built it up and we can tear it down Tear it down
We built it up and we will tear it down