I adore a confrontation, and I should be ashamed

a carnival of complication, everyone's to blame

we can see the rocket's red glare

pipe bomb bursting in the air

as we proudly hail our taxis out of the fight



singing born of this nation of white bread foundation

we're taping a king, beaten of his crown

my country 'tis of thee, sweet land of irony

spoonful of sugar to wash it down



i have seen the hungry faces, and i have been removed

evidence in welfare cases, never being proved

we've written books on education

summoned federal regulation

skeleton hid deeply 'til its bones turn to dust



i know an old lady who swallowed a fly

i don't know why exactly, i guess she'll die

my country 'tis of thee, sweet land of irony

spoonful of sugar to wash it down



and god save the queen, oh, and pardon the king

and our ballots we'll stuff, then drink 'till we drown

my country 'tis of thee, sweet land of irony

spoonful of sugar to wash it down