Protest Songs

You can keep the good times righteousness
The best parting line
Rather then pretend we are A1 ultrafine
Shall I be the first then to say what we have found
There's something in our lifetime won't let us settle down

Darling it's a life of surprises
It's no help growing older or wiser
You don't have to pretend you're not crying
When it's even in the way that you're walking

Never let your conscience be harmful to your health
Let no neurotic impulse turn inward on itself
Just say that you were happy, as happy would allow
And tell yourself that that will have to do for now

Darling it's a life of surprises
It's no help growing older or wiser
You don't have to pretend you're not crying
When it's even in the way that you're walking - Baby talking

Never say you're bitter Jack
Bitter makes the worst things come back

Darling it's a life of surprises
It's no help growing older or wiser
You don't have to pretend you're not crying
When it's even in the way that you're walking - Baby talking

Never say you're bitter Jack
Bitter makes the worst things come back

Darling it's a life of surprises
It's no help growing older or wiser
You don't have to pretend you're not crying
When it's even in the way that you're walking

Aren't you a skinny kid - just like his poppa
Where's he working ? - he's not working
Thin as the smile I wear
Cold as the beaches you comb
Till the cows come home

Tell the truth again - tell the truth again
Near to the knuckle, near to the knuckle
Why're you laughing ? - you call that laughing ?


Wearing your death's head grin - even the fishes are thin
When the boat comes in

Things are better now - things are better now
We've education
I doff my cap to a life that lets you
Dream a poor man's dream
But he can't have his coffee with cream
Till the cows come home

Feel the sun upon your back
Someone somewhere wants to steal it
Pray each night you'll catch the thief
But while you sleep he comes and takes it

Does that make you think little girl ?
Doesn't it just little boy

There'll be no stampede on the Pearly Gates
I'll say "after you" you'll say "I don't mind the wait"
There'll be no stampede on those imposing doors
Naked and afraid, cowering we crawl on all fours

See the smile on her young face
Watch life casually erase it
Now I know she's all grown up
She wears a look I can't quite place yet

What makes you cry little girl ?
Maybe I'm scared little boy

There'll be no stampede on the Pearly Gates
I'll say "after you" you'll say "I don't mind the wait"
There'll be no stampede on those imposing doors
Naked and afraid, cowering we crawl on all fours
There'll be no stampede on the Pearly Gates
I'll say "after you" you'll say "I don't mind the wait"