Do you know what would make this small town look great

Is a thousand new spec homes that all look the same

And we'll build them a golf course and put in a lake

For the folks from the west coast just tryin' to escape

And we'll widen the roads and cut down the trees

While the local officials applaud us

We'll make it shiny and new and we'll call it progress

Well he's the fifth generation on 600 acres

He's held out through the hard times and he's held off the bankers

But the state wants a toll road and he's in the way

So they'll take all he's got and claim eminent domain

And they'll build that damn highway on top of his land

If it takes an act of Congress

I call it a crime and they'll call it progress

Oh and they'll come for it all and they'll take what they can

And they'll change everything cause they don't give a damn

About the way that things are or the ways of this land

Cause the folks that are from here don't fit in their plans

This westward expansion has been coming for years

And I fear that it's finally upon us

They'll say it was a matter of time

And they'll call it progress

I'm standing on Main Street and nothings the same

It seems all that they saw fit to keep was the name

They bulldozed the diner and built a cafe

For the housewives and hipsters to sit at all day

And I hear about new jobs and tax revenue

Like a blessing that's been heaped upon us

I'm wondering why they'll call it progress

Oh and they'll come for it all and they'll take what they can

And they'll change everything cause they don't give a damn

About the way that things are or the ways of this land

Cause the folks that are from here don't fit in their plans

And this westward expansion has been comin for years

And I fear that there's no way to stop it

They'll say it was a matter of time

They'll push us all aside

Oh it brings a tear to my eye

And they'll call it progress

It brings a tear to my eye

And they'll call it progress