Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer again
Riddle me who built the machine and washed your brain?
Like parents did before them, your parents did the same
They said, "Do your best, you must pass the test
You must learn to play the game"
They scrimped and saved and suffered to send you off to school
But if they'd had the cash they could've bought the class
And a different set of rules
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer again
Riddle me who built the machine and washed your brain?
They taught a simple system, why they had and you had not
They said, "Know your place, you can't win the race
Life's an auction, you're the lot"
If you'd ever thought to question, they would never answer why
When they buy your sweat, you're in their debt
And they own you till you die
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer again
Riddle me who built the machine and washed your brain?
Took hook, line and sinker, everything they fed
Worked day and night for most your life to earn their daily bread
Now you're old and weary and you lay you down to sleep
With body worn and spirit torn, what's left is yours to keep
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer me this
Who owns the chains that bind your wrists?
Riddle me who, riddle me why, answer again
Riddle me who built the machine and washed your brain?