How did we get into this mess?
The question is a hypothetical

The answers are written on the face of the oppressed

Sent to death at just 19
Forevermore to be unseen
His mother with tears in her eyes
Crying to God, she calls out, "Why?"

She'll find her answers on the face of the oppressed
I bow my head in respect of the dead

Because they're all bogged down
And there ain't no f___ing S.O.S
That's going to save our sinking ship

How did we get into this mess?
The question is a bonafide literal

The answers are written on the face of the oppressed

We all the know the answers, why?
They sold a lie to build Versailles
You can roll over and die or you can reign down hell tonight!

You'll find your answer on the face of the oppressed
I bow my head in respect of the dead

In the ash of your city lights burning down
In the ash of your city lights burning to the ground
This nation's burning, burning down
(This nation's burning, burning down)
This nation's burning to the ground

This is the modern Rome burning
Let it burn...

This is New York burning
This is Boston burning
This is Omaha burning

This is Washington burning
This is Pittsburgh burning
This is Birmingham burning

This is the modern Rome burning
Let it burn
Let it burn
(Burn, burn, burn)

See also:
JustSomeLyrics
109
109.1
Shotta Sangre Lyrics
Marco Van Bassken The Riddle Lyrics