We've learned to distinguish the hollow men from the rest
At spotting the phonies we have passed our test
Their objectivity's all a bluff
Their ethical standards' shoddy stuff
Their world's not good enough for us:
WE DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIKE THAT!
We've learned that we're free to learn and think and know
Providing we don't disturb the status quo
Serve the truth that serves the nation
Guarantee your graduation
Then you can fool the next generation
WE DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIKE THAT!
We've learned that a man in some things may be wise
And yet wear social blinkers on his eyes
Top man in a scientific team
And the sound of burning children screaming
Doesn't disturb his self-esteem
WE DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIKE THAT!
We've learned to beward of the smiler with the knife
Who offers to geld you, cut you off from life
He offers a world without collision
A cozy world of complete submission
Never a need for real decision
WE DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIKE THAT!
We've learned how to question everything we've been told
By learned men who have been bought and sold
Their detachments only a damned excuse
To sit back on their arse and be no use
While the neck of the worlds fitted for the noose
WE DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIKE THAT!
At spotting the phonies we have passed our test
Their objectivity's all a bluff
Their ethical standards' shoddy stuff
Their world's not good enough for us:
WE DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIKE THAT!
We've learned that we're free to learn and think and know
Providing we don't disturb the status quo
Serve the truth that serves the nation
Guarantee your graduation
Then you can fool the next generation
WE DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIKE THAT!
We've learned that a man in some things may be wise
And yet wear social blinkers on his eyes
Top man in a scientific team
And the sound of burning children screaming
Doesn't disturb his self-esteem
WE DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIKE THAT!
We've learned to beward of the smiler with the knife
Who offers to geld you, cut you off from life
He offers a world without collision
A cozy world of complete submission
Never a need for real decision
WE DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIKE THAT!
We've learned how to question everything we've been told
By learned men who have been bought and sold
Their detachments only a damned excuse
To sit back on their arse and be no use
While the neck of the worlds fitted for the noose
WE DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIKE THAT!
Contributed by Bernart Bartleby - 2017/6/13 - 20:04
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Parole e musica di Ewan MacColl
Nel disco “Folkways Record of Contemporary Songs”, con Peggy Seeger, Folkways Records
“For students of any age, includin' students of life”