How Free Are We

Freedom
or tolerance
five of them here for us
assembly, speech, press, religion
the right to petition the government
we really aren't totally free
simply tolerated
by what we call
freedom



The freedom to assemble
yes we can do this
with a permit of course
or at our own risk



Then there's that speech
we can say all as we want
long as we don't incite violence
or behind bars they may haunt



The freedom of press
what a joke that that is
as editors won't publish
if your opinion's not his



That freedom to worship
well that's guaranteed
only not by our society
if you ain't drinkin' what they feed



That thing called petition
redressing grievance we use
only puts it back in the hands
of the ones who abuse



So are we free or just tolerated
it's for each one of us to measure
I guess it comes down to
just what we do treasure



We'll always be subject
to the rules and laws of some others
trust me, it won't be so bad
if we would treat all like brothers