undoing the lie

so all the world is empty of our hope
a moment more or less will never matter
we listen for the truth within the clatter
and cringe when all we see is hanging rope
we haven't got the time to wail or mope
nor listen to the old familiar patter
nothing we say will either chide or flatter
it's hard enough to struggle and to cope
light tells us nothing that we don't yet know
and morning is not free of pain or tears
while in the shadow is not one new sign
change comes and reaches us but far too slow
we add things up and come up with fresh fears
but lie and say that everything is fine

a distant prospect

 no matter what is on the drum
we aren't the ones to pay the bill
we let the others eat their fill
and praise the ones who chose to come

we aren't the only ones in sum
to sing and dance beneath the hill
while water bubbles down the rill
and praise the ones who chose to come

we listen for the insects' hum
around the juice that's for the still
we want to drink rather than kill
and praise the ones who chose to come

we will not leave the deaf or dumb
their best hope is to heed our will
we'll leave to others spiv and shill
and praise the ones who chose to come

we wait for you to bring the rum
with elbows on the windowsill
we watched you take the cane to mill
and praise the ones who chose to come

a newer better song

 for once they'll have a newer better song
to celebrate the turning of the tide
they'll do it loudly but they'll do it wrong

we think it good to leave behind the throng
and snuggle safe and warm right here inside
for once they'll have a newer better song

it won't be obvious and it won't be long
and there'll be nothing left for us to hide
they'll do it loudly but they'll do it wrong

the last one in will listen for the gong
and won't a single syllable elide
for once they'll have a newer better song

you'll pay your fare and then you'll go along
not one thing said will be inept or snide
they'll do it loudly but they'll do it wrong

who once were weak now claim to be the strong
you know quite well they'll take you for a ride
for once they have a newer better song
they'll do it loudly but they'll do it wrong