Tragedy of the Commons - The Human Project

To overlook a social problem

Can’t possibly be true to where we’re from

In the absence of a prophecy to call on

Don’t look out for number one

We all share common land

We think we understand

What is fair and what is right

But when we stand to gain

And share the loss throughout the chain

A tragedy will then be in our sight

We must appeal to the conscience

For a way of mutual temperance

We need to choose all the constants

To avoid a rough consequence

Freedom and all self-liberty

Are what we stand to lose

If we don’t choose the majority

This time we need to recognize

That history is now

There is no future

If we don’t compromise

In our hands it lies

Fouling our own nest so long as we behave as independents

Locked into a system in which we all lose

We all pollute, in a pursuit, we don’t dispute the values that are questioned

Keep the prize we reap, however steep the cost, there’s no need to abuse

A standoff that compels us to increase

Without limit or means for our release

Ruin is the destination to which it leads

A declaration that when there’s no seeds to sell

We’re left with ourselves

Chorus 1 and 2

Bridge

Who’s to blame for this tragedy?

It isn’t me or you which is true paradoxically

To accept responsibility for actions that we take will set examples

It comes as no surprise

In our hands it lies