[Verse 1] Marx wrote the theory, workers unite But Lenin took power in Russian night Theory said the state would fade away Practice built a system here to stay From abstract ideas to concrete rule Revolutionary fire became a tool [Chorus] Theory versus practice, dreams versus deed Soviet's iron curtain, Mao's peasant creed Cuba's revolution, Eastern Europe's chain Marx's vision twisted, power's lasting stain Theory versus practice, the gap runs deep Promises of freedom that none could keep [Verse 2] Stalin's five-year plans and gulags dark Collectivization left its mark Mao's Great Leap Forward, millions died Cultural Revolution swept the tide From each according to ability Became state control and misery [Chorus] Theory versus practice, dreams versus deed Soviet's iron curtain, Mao's peasant creed Cuba's revolution, Eastern Europe's chain Marx's vision twisted, power's lasting stain Theory versus practice, the gap runs deep Promises of freedom that none could keep [Verse 3] Castro's Cuba, healthcare and schools But dissent forbidden, strict party rules Eastern Europe under Moscow's thumb Prague Spring crushed before it could come Vanguard party meant to guide the way Became the rulers of the modern day [Bridge] Marx said the state would wither and die But every Marxist state reached for the sky Bureaucrats replaced the bourgeoisie New class system, new hierarchy Theory pure but practice flawed Human nature, power clawed [Chorus] Theory versus practice, dreams versus deed Soviet's iron curtain, Mao's peasant creed Cuba's revolution, Eastern Europe's chain Marx's vision twisted, power's lasting stain Theory versus practice, the gap runs deep Promises of freedom that none could keep [Outro] From Das Kapital to Berlin Wall The theory stumbled, the systems fall But still we study what went wrong In history's complicated song
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