(Robert Lamm)
I was talking 'bout the state of the union
How there's no one now in power thinking of me

I was saying how we ought to try to fix it
Find a leader who is not afraid to be
Then a voice came out of the darkness

Saying "Tear the system down"
Tear it down
I was thinking 'bout how that was very crazy

And I tried to find a way to tell him so
But when I did I used a word that was quite nasty
How the policeman heard me now I'll never know

Then a voice came out of the darkness
Saying "Tear the system down"
Tear it down - down to the ground

I was wrestled of to one side of the theatre
And they said I'd have to go right to jail
They don't permit coarse language in their city

But they did accept a large amount of bail
Then a voice came out of the darkness
Saying "Tear the system down"

Tear it down - down to the ground