I made the world a place easier for me

Money in my pockets over centuries

I'm a celebrated sinner with statues in the park

This world I made is harder, the more your skin is dark

I covered all my tracks in books on history

Justified my actions through anthropology

I chose what to remember and what we should forget

I covered all my tracks in your blood and sweat

This machine runs on its own

(Cut the brakes, grab the wheel)

This machine runs on its own

Since 1865, everyone is free

But I still get my labour complimentary

Who is working in the prisons now?

Look and you will see

That in 1865, I disguised slavery

This machine runs on its own

(Cut the brakes, grab the wheel)

This machine runs on its own

(Trip the wire, melt the steel)

This machine runs on its own

But a crack has appeared, it keeps me up at night

There are whispers, there are shouts and I fear the wolf will bite

I've been a bully and a sinner, now I'm on the way out

For the world I made is harder, the more your skin is dark

This machine runs on its own

(Cut the brakes, grab the wheel)

This machine runs on its own

(Trip the wire, melt the steel)

This machine runs on its own

(Cut the brakes, grab the wheel)

This machine runs on its own