For John Henry (2008)

Once upon a time there was a robot
And once upon a time there was a guy
And the guy could never tolerate the robot
And of course the robot didn't even try
So the robot and the guy they had a fight
And from then on they've been at it day and night
And as far as I can see it's the same for you and me
We'll all be fighting robots by and by (my oh my)
We'll all be fighting robots till we die

Once upon time there was a woman
And once upon a time there was a man
Standing in the middle of a garden
From then on we've just done the best we can
I guess they call it God's Master Plan
But he never had to listen to that snake
There are mistakes I somehow always seem to make
But if I can't have a Spring without the Fall
I'm still not sure I'm down with that at all

Once upon a time there was a prophet
And once upon a time there was a land
And the King could never tolerate the prophet
And the people wouldn't try to understand
And the prophets and the kings can't get along
Because whoever questions power must be wrong
And the people won't give up their sports and feasts
They just settle down and listen to the priests

Once upon a time the corporations
Were made to do the bidding of the State
But now we're like the so-called third-world nations
And have to eat the leavings from their plate
And the robot and the guy are doing battle
Because the robot's trying to fit him for a saddle
I guess they call it God's Master Plan
But I'm still not sure I wanna understand
A man has to stand up like a man
Because a man has to stand up like man
Humanity was meant to be free
Or maybe all I know about is me