She came from Providence,

the one in Rhode Island

Where the old world shadows hang

heavy in the air

She packed her hopes and dreams

like a refugee

Just as her father came across the sea

She heard about a place

people were smilin'

They spoke about the red man's way,

And how they loved the land

And they came from everywhere

to the Great Divide

Seeking a place to stand

or a place to hide

Down in the crowded bars,

out for a good time,

Can't wait to tell you all,

what it's like up there

And they called it paradise

I don't know why

Somebody laid the mountains low

while the town got high

Then the chilly winds blew down

Across the desert

through the canyons of the coast,

to the Malibu

Where the pretty people play,

hungry for power

to light their neon way

give them things to do

Some rich men came and raped the land,

Nobody caught 'em

Put up a bunch of ugly bo es,

and Jesus people bought 'em

and they called it paradise

The place to be

They watched the hazy sun,

sinking in the sea

You can leave it all behind

and sail to Lahaina

just like the missionaries did,

so many years ago

They even brought a neon sign said,

"Jesus is coming"

Brought the white man's burden down

Brought the white man's reign

Who will provide the grand design?

What is yours and what is mine?

'Cause there is no more new frontier

We have got to make it here

We satisfy our endless needs

and justify our bloody deeds,

in the name of destiny

and in the name of God

And you can see them there,

On Sunday morning

They stand up and sing about

what it's like up there

They call it paradise

I don't know why

You call some place paradise,

kiss it goodbye