She came from Providence
One in Rhode Island
Where the old world shadows hang
Heavy in the air
She packed her hopes and dreams
Like a refugee
Just as her father came across the sea
She heard about a place, people were smilin'
Spoke about the red man's ways
And how they loved the land
They came from everywhere
To the Great Divide
Seeking a place to stand, or a place to hide
Down in the crowded bars
Out for a good time
Can't wait to tell you all
What it's like up there
They called it paradise, I don't know why
Somebody laid the mountains low
While the town got high
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Then the chilly winds blew down across the desert
Through the canyons of the coast to the Malibu
Where the pretty people play, hungry for power
To light their neon way and give them things to do
Some rich men came and raped the land
Nobody caught 'em
Put up a bunch of ugly boxes
Jesus, people bought 'em
They called it paradise, the place to be
They watched the hazy sun sinking in the sea
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We can leave it all behind and sail to Lahaina
Just like the missionaries did so many years ago
They even brought a neon sign
Said, "Jesus is coming"
Brought the white man's burden down
Brought the white man's reign
Who will provide the grand design?
What is yours and what is mine?
'Cause there is no more new frontier
We have got to make it here
We satisfy our endless needs
And justify our bloody deeds
In the name of destiny
And in the name of God
And you can see them there on Sunday morning
Stand up and sing about what it's like up there
And they call it paradise, I don't know why
You call someplace paradise
Kiss it goodbye