She came from Providence,
  the one in Rhode Island
  Where the old world shadows hang
  heavy in the air
  She packed her hopes and dreams
  like a refugee
  Just as her father came across the sea
    She heard about a place people were smilin'
  They spoke about the red man's way,
  and how they loved the land
  And they came from everywhere
  to the Great Divide
  Seeking a place to stand
  or a place to hide
    Down in the crowded bars,
  out for a good time,
  Can't wait to tell you all,
  what it's like up there
  And they called it paradise
  I don't know why
  Somebody laid the mountains low
  while the town got high
    Then the chilly winds blew down
  Across the desert
  through the canyons of the coast, to
  the Malibu
  Where the pretty people play,
  hungry for power
  to light their neon way
  and give them things to do
    Some rich men came and raped the land,
  Nobody caught 'em
  Put up a bunch of ugly boxes, and Jesus,
  people bought 'em
  And they called it paradise
  The place to be
  They watched the hazy sun, sinking in the sea
    You can leave it all behind
  and sail to Lahaina
  just like the missionaries did, so many years ago
  They even brought a neon sign: "Jesus is coming"
  Brought the white man's burden down
  Brought the white man's reign
    Who will provide the grand design?
  What is yours and what is mine?
  'Cause there is no more new frontier
  We have got to make it here
    We satisfy our endless needs and
  justify our bloody deeds,
  in the name of destiny and the name
  of God
    And you can see them there,
  On Sunday morning
  They stand up and sing about
  what it's like up there
  They call it paradise
  I don't know why
  You call someplace paradise,
  kiss it goodbye