
It's morning in America
and you can be your best
To have a valid credit card
and can pass a urine test.

It's midnight in El Salvador
their spending dollars in your name
'N' it's no bloody consulation
that Reagan cannot run again.

They'll trade with the Ayatollah
if they can't convince Congress
the only type of patriot
is an Anti-Communist.

And I shake my head an wonder
what would Joe McCarthy say
If he could walk through downtown
Washington D.C. today

The C.I.A. on campus
are taking down some names
Inviting folks to join them
in their Coke and dagger games.

And does it ever prick your conscious
as we are the world you see
And you know today we are so far away
from the tunes of Martin Luther King.

The brotherhood of the elephant
and the party of the ass
Are desparate for contestants
to take part in the fast.

I'm selling democracy down the tubes
with the admans expertise
The majority by their silence
are paid for days like these.

Peace bred work and freedom
are the best we can achieve
'N' wearing badges is not enough
In days like these.

IDEOLOGY

When one voice rules the nation
Just because they're top of the pile
Doesn't mean their vision is the clearest
The voices of the people
Are falling on deaf ears
Our politicians all become careerists
They must declare their interests
But not their company cars
Is there more to a seat in Parliament
Than sitting on your arse
And the best of all this bad bunch
Are shouting to be heard
Above the sound of ideologies clashing

Outside the patient millions
Who put them into power
Expect a little more back for their taxes
Like school books, beds in hospitals
And peace in our bloody time
All they get is old men grinding axes
Who've built their private fortunes
On the thing they can rely
The courts, the secret handshake
The Stock Exchange and the old school tie
For God and Queen and Country
All things they justify
Abovw the sound of ideologies clashing

God bless the Civil Service
The nations saving grace
While we expect democracy
They're laughing in our face
And although our cries get louder
Their laughter gets louder still
Above the sound of ideologies clashing

-Billy Bragg 1986

 
 
 


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