The hero in the big white house Shakes his head and moans about The misery of his fellow man Just as though he really cared While the hand he holds behind his back Conceals the truth from those he is deceivin' The camera rolls another reel While the robots on the hill Are dashing madly to and fro Smiling at the status quo While in the secret, smoke-filled rooms They sell the very air that you are breathing When it's payback time And you take that final ride When there is no place to run to And there ain't no place to hide The supreme court of the universe Where justice is not blind And no prisoners will be taken When it's payback time Another day, another knife Another precious unborn life Will never see the light of day Will never run or jump or play It's just another sacrifice To that greenback god of choice you are serving Their blood cries out to be avenged And someday you will cower and cringe Where the books don't lie and the judge don't deal No high-priced lawyers to appeal Where the verdict is eternal And you can't escape the verdict you're deserving When it's payback time and heaven rules supreme When your gold and silver's worthless And you stand before the King When your nightmares are reality And there is no exit sign And it's too late for repentance When it's payback time The sun comes up the pendulum swings And each new frightening morning brings The children's cries, the cannon roar More loudly than the day before The wax of time is drippin' down From both ends of that candle burning brightly A mighty shout, a trumpet blast When the last is first and the first is last The world is hushed and time stands still And the final chapter is fulfilled The sky will part each knee will bow To greet the awesome hour of His returning When it's payback time And the sheep are gathered in When the roll is called up yonder And eternity begins When the wedding supper's ready And the faithful called to dine Who'll be sitting at the table When it's payback time Payback time