Territories Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I see the Middle Kingdom between Heaven and Earth
Like the Chinese call the country of their birth

We all figure that our homes, our homes are set above
Other people than the ones, the ones we know and love
In every place with a name
They play the same territorial game
Hiding behind the lines
Sending up warning signs

[Chorus]
The whole wide world
An endless universe
Yet we keep looking through
The eyeglass in reverse

Don't feed the people
But we feed the machines

Can't really feel
What international means
In different circles, we keep holding our ground
Indifferent circles, we keep spinning round and round and round

[Verse 2]
We see so many tribes overrun and undermined
While their invaders dream of lands they've left behind
Better people, better food, and better beer
Why move around the world when Eden was so near?

The bosses get talking so tough
And if that wasn't evil enough
We get the drunken and passionate pride
Of the citizens along for the ride

[Chorus]
The whole wide world
An endless universe
Yet we keep looking through
The eyeglass in reverse
Don't feed the people
But we feed the machines

Can't really feel
What international means
In different circles, we keep holding our ground
Indifferent circles, we keep spinning round and round and...

[Verse 3]
They shoot without shame
In the name of a piece of dirt
For a change of accent
Or the color of your shirt
Better the pride that resides
In a citizen of the world

Than the pride that divides
When a colorful rag is unfurled

[Chorus]
The whole wide world
An endless universe
Yet we keep looking through
The eyeglass in reverse
Don't feed the people
But we feed the machines

Can't really feel
What international means
In different circles, we keep holding our ground
Indifferent circles, we keep spinning round and round and round

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About

Genius Annotation

An indictment against nationalism in all its forms and manifestations, this song calls for a world without borders, where people would be judged by their objective worth rather than separated into arbitrary groups based on borders drawn ages ago.

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Credits
Producers
Release Date
October 15, 1985
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