Strings of Gold

You're told you're free, but it's all in your head Every step you take, the path's already led Through screens and wires, the deals unfold Smiling in daylight, but the truth's been sold You work for the dream, the one you were shown But the price is your life, and the strings are sewn Choices seem yours, but someone's pulling the thread Tied to the lies spinning inside your head The streets are paved with promises that turn into chains Chasing illusions, while others count their gains They hide in plain sight, controlling the light Masters of money, twisting what's right A ladder's offered, but it's missing the rungs Laughing as you fall, still thinking you've won Free in a prison, crafted so well Holding all the keys, and you can't tell Dancing for dollars on strings of gold In a world of lies where truth's never told Whispers of riches you're destined to find But the wealth stays locked in the vaults they designed You fight for a piece that's just out of reach Laboring a lifetime for what you can't breach You rise and think you've conquered the climb But the ladder's theirs, the timing's all timed Your choices are played, the victories planned By invisible hands that rule this land You climb to the top, but the ground's pulled away Each victory feels hollow, a game they've rigged to play They hide in plain sight, controlling the light Masters of money, twisting what's right A ladder's offered, but it's missing the rungs Laughing as you fall, still thinking you've won Free in a prison, crafted so well Holding all the keys, and you can't tell Dancing for dollars on strings of gold In a world of lies where truth's never told Behind every curtain, behind every door They keep you hungry, begging for more You reach out for freedom, but it's only a dream While their hands in the shadows run the machine They hide in plain sight, controlling the light Masters of money, twisting what's right A ladder's offered, but it's missing the rungs Laughing as you fall, still thinking you've won Free in a prison, crafted so well Holding all the keys, and you can't tell Dancing for dollars on strings of gold In a world of lies where truth's never told Dancing for dollars on strings of gold In a world where freedom is bought and sold.