My generation was brought up in a land
\nWhere the growing influence of the States
\nCame crowding into a static strand
\nWith Hollywood battering at the gates.<\/p>\n
Those institutionalised, sombre days
\nDevised by the English ruling classes
\nHad started to crumble in many ways
\nAs a fault line led to the power that passes.<\/p>\n
Dixieland and Hollywood both led
\nAfter the prohibition laws on booze
\nHad passed, as the mafia forged ahead
\nWith the refugee European Jews.<\/p>\n
Our reactive, recessively ruled land
\nWas more than ready for schmaltz and jazz,
\nThe vanguard playing a Disneyland band
\nComplete with drum majorette’s razz-ma-tazz.<\/p>\n
Some changes were good and long overdue;
\nNo longer leading with Empire in tow,
\nThe many wanting what once had the few
\nWere looking elsewhere to see where to go.<\/p>\n
With once the idea of change in the air
\nThen\u00a0 nothing could stop the forward play,
\nThe ruling classes who never despair,
\nChanged from resisting to leading the way.<\/p>\n
The situation got quite out of hand
\nWith the masses beginning to believe
\nThat the poorest was equal to the grand
\nSo needed to be taught to undeceive.<\/p>\n
And biding their time as they always do
\nThe rulers set out to destroy the good
\nAnd take only the bad, always on view
\nFrom the image makers of Hollywood.<\/p>\n
Give them enough rope and they’ll hang themselves
\nThe reactionary strategists plan;
\nAs a clock face is divided into twelfths
\nSo divide they said, and rule, as only we can.<\/p>\n
Business is business and morals know none,
\nThe joy of the sixties would have to go,
\nReplacing a time of freedom and fun
\nTo where all knew their place in the status quo.<\/p>\n
And this is the way of the human lot
\nYou are saved and betrayed by the leaders you choose;
\nYou think you are free, but really you’re not
\nYou’ll always be minding your P’s and Q’s.<\/p>\n
Society is what keeps us alive,
\nIndividuals change when they’re in it;
\nWithout it you haven’t a hope to survive.
\nStill, you yearn to be free for one minute.<\/p>\n
Although individuals cannot be made
\nResponsible for Society’s excesses,
\nEach one of us has a part to be played
\nOur best actions promote its successes.<\/p>\n
August 1993<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
My generation was brought up in a land Where the growing influence of the States Came crowding into a static strand With Hollywood battering at the gates. Those institutionalised, sombre days Devised by the English ruling classes Had started to … Continue reading