Used To Be

Superman was killed in Dallas

There is no love left in the palace

Someone took the Beatles' lead guitar

Have another Chivas Regal

You're 12 years old and sex is legal

Your parents don't know where or who you are

Used to be the hero of the ball game

Took the time to shake the loser's hand

Used to be that failure only meant you didn't try

In a world where people gave a damn

Great, big wars in little places

Look at all those frightened faces

But don't come here, we just don't have the room

Love thy neighbor's wife and daughter

Cleanse your life with holy water

We don't need to bathe, we've got perfume

Used to be a knight in shining armor

Didn't have to own a shiny car

Dignity and courage were the measure of a man

Not the drugs he needs to hide the scar

Whoa-oh, whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh

Can your teacher read?

Does your preacher pray?

Does your president have soul?

Have you heard a real good ethnic tale today?

Mama took her speed and daddy ran away

But you mustn't lose control

Let's cut the class, I got some grass

The kids are wild, we just can't tame 'em

Do we have the right to blame 'em?

We fed 'em all our indecision

We raped their minds with television

But what the hell, they're too young to feel pain

Oh, but I believe that love can save tomorrow (ooh, oh-oh)

Believe the truth can make us free

Someone tried to say it, and we nailed Him to the cross

I guess it's still the way it used to be