"The Last Resort" lyrics

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 smiling
They spoke about the red man's way
And how they loved the land
They came from everywhere to the Great Divide
Seeking a place to stay or a place to hide

Down in the crowded bars
Out for the good time
Can't wait to tell you all what it's like up there
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 ways and give them things to do

Some rich men came and raped the land
Nobody caught 'em
Put up a bunch of ugly boxes and—Jesus—people bought 'em
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 "Jesus is coming"
They brought the white mans burden down
They brought the white mans 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
Stand up and sing about what it's like up there
They call it paradise
I don't know why
Call some place paradise
Kiss it goodbye