[Verse 1] Back in seventy-three the system broke apart Dollar claims were rising like a racing heart Gold reserves were limited, couldn't grow at all Fixed conversion price was heading for a fall [Chorus] Draw the flow, watch it go External claims keep rising so Gold stays flat, that's a fact Conversion runs will crack the pact Stock and flow, now you know How the old regime let go [Verse 2] Picture dollar claims flowing in each day From trade and investment coming America's way But gold reserves sitting still, a finite pool While promises to convert followed the old rule [Chorus] Draw the flow, watch it go External claims keep rising so Gold stays flat, that's a fact Conversion runs will crack the pact Stock and flow, now you know How the old regime let go [Bridge] When the gap gets too wide Confidence starts to slide Everyone wants their gold Before the window gets sold Run begins, system bends That's how Bretton Woods ends [Verse 3] Draw your diagram with arrows pointing up Dollar claims keep flowing, filling up the cup Gold box stays the same size, can't expand at all Thirty-five per ounce until the final call [Chorus] Draw the flow, watch it go External claims keep rising so Gold stays flat, that's a fact Conversion runs will crack the pact Stock and flow, now you know How the old regime let go [Outro] Stock and flow diagram shows the way Why August fifteen changed everything that day Nixon closed the window, couldn't pay in gold New regime was born when the old one fold
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