[Verse 1] Back in nineteen forty-four at Bretton Woods they made a plan Fixed exchange rates for the world, adjustable by every land Capital controls were common then, to keep the money flows in check IMF would guide the way when economies were heading for a wreck [Chorus] Bretton Woods was built to last Fixed but flexible, holding fast Dollar gold convertibility That's how they kept stability OECD growing strong and bright Manufacturing took its flight Wages rising, productivity The golden age of prosperity [Verse 2] The US dollar ruled supreme as the reserve currency king Backed by gold at settlement price, it made the whole world sing If countries needed dollars bad, they'd trade their gold away Official rate was locked in tight at thirty-five per ounce they'd pay [Chorus] Bretton Woods was built to last Fixed but flexible, holding fast Dollar gold convertibility That's how they kept stability OECD growing strong and bright Manufacturing took its flight Wages rising, productivity The golden age of prosperity [Bridge] Capital controls keep money home Exchange rates set, not left to roam IMF steps in when things go wrong This system kept the world economy strong [Verse 3] In wealthy nations factories hummed with productivity gains so high Manufacturing jobs expanded while the living standards climbed the sky Workers saw their paychecks grow as output per hour increased each year The economic miracle was crystal clear [Chorus] Bretton Woods was built to last Fixed but flexible, holding fast Dollar gold convertibility That's how they kept stability OECD growing strong and bright Manufacturing took its flight Wages rising, productivity The golden age of prosperity [Outro] But nineteen seventy-three would come And change would beat like a drum This system that had served so well Would crack and break, but that's to tell
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