Can you remember how it used to be
We were so proud and free, so free
Strong and mighty powerful and [bad word] 
Can you remember

Now all around us pestilence and greed
Famine, hate and war
It surrounds us like a black disease
Just take a look around us

In spite of every upright intention
We live and die by the sword
It's second nature, and so the question is
Can we learn or will we burn

The fall of the empire what have we done
The fall of the empire it's the dawn of the setting sun
The fall of the empire can this race be won
It's the fall of the empire or has the end begun

Will the mountains [bad word] to the ground
Will the earth stand still
Will we rise a mushroom cloud
Will the mountains [bad word] 

Can we heed a lesson from the past
And put aside our hate
Or will we blow ourselves to [bad word] 
Tell me is it too late

Inside of every aronination
There is hope that lies within
It's second nature, and the question is
Can we learn or will we burn

The fall of the empire what have we done
The fall of the empire it's the dawn of the setting sun
The fall of the empire can this race be won
It's the fall of the empire or has the end begun