In less time than it takes to shake hands,
he rose up like a snake to take the land.
In less time than was needed to count the votes,
he rose up on the mount to sound the oath.
In less time than we needed to understand,
we were dropping bombs to stop the leader of a foreign land.
And now we'll make Iraq a democracy,
but who among us now can show how to walk free?

We don't know what to do about it, baby
we don't know what to do about it, baby
there's something we can do about it, baby
there's something we've got to do about it, baby

Chorus:
Shut the door, shut the door, don't let them back for more.
Shut the door, shut the door, let the balance be restored,
shut the door, shut the door, let the ballot be your sword,
shut the door, shut the door, in 2004.

I want to know whether the children who are being born today
will they grow up to be free and will they be able to have a say,
with the powers that be and the decisions that are being made,
will they grow up to be free or will they grow up to be afraid?

I love the dream of freedom this country gives me
and I understand the truth that this freedom isn't free:
the price we have to pay is responsibility,
we must remove the leaders who fail to act with accountability.

This radical right-wing administration
continues to ignore the United Nations,
but still counts on their participation
to bail us out of our miscalculations.

Chorus

There is no pride, nothing dignified in the lies that were told,
No cause for alarm, no nuclear arms but the ones we hold.
Not a single Iraqi among the hijackers of 9/11,
no war against terror can justify what the U.S. has done.

Democracy in a country that stands so tall
can become a mere theory in no time at all:
in less time than it takes to shake hands,
no matter how many have died for the freedom of this land.

So if the guest who sits down beside your fire
turns out to be a thief and a liar,
the next time that he should come a-knockin',
don't open up your door and let him walk in!

Chorus

Char - lead and backing vocals, accordion, trumpet, door
Robby - harmony vocal, drums, djembe, tamborine
Jon Gagan - bass, engineer
Elise and Eric Gent's African dance class - Mob vocals