Who pulls the dirty strings That wrap around the earth? Who's choking everything For its money's worth? Who grows the food I eat? Who sews the clothes I wear? Who murders for my meat? Who gets it here from there? From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away I'm looking through the ghost I've learned to hear his lies He makes a moving toast Then drinks the river dry I'm living in the mouth Of the big machine It sucks the spirit out It sells me shiny things From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away Who made this microphone? Who mined the metal ore? Who takes the profit home? Who stays poor? Who deals the mercy out? Who's made to beg for more? You know I have my doubts That I could pay my debt That I could settle my score From half a world away ♪ From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away From half a world away