My troubles don’t come from my lover
She’s wise and kind and true
My troubles don’t come from working folks
doing all that we can do
My troubles don’t come from from past mistakes
or knowing history
My troubles come from liars
trying to trash democracy
My troubles don’t come from children
or from those who have the least
My troubles don’t come from old folks
who deserve a few years of peace
My troubles don’t come from nature
or lands left wild and free
My troubles come from tyrants
trying to bring back tyranny
My troubles don’t come from the country
knowing my neighbors and friends
My troubles don’t come from city life
where the music never ends
My troubles don’t come from the ups and downs
that fortune can bring each hour
My troubles come from the evil acts
of those who cling to power
My troubles don’t come from the bottle
My troubles don’t come from pills
My troubles don’t come from any aim to blame
the innocent for our ills
My troubles don’t come from you
even though you’re different from me
My troubles come from billionaires
who treat us like property
My troubles don’t come from heaven
The spirit is everywhere
My troubles don’t come from natural death
or the mysteries waiting there
My troubles don’t come from the stars above
or the devil or the deep blue sea
My troubles come from human greed
and human cruelty