PLAGUE AND THE CENSOR

Lyrics: Harry Robertson

London city long ago
reeled and festered ‘neath the blow
of black plague.
Hatched in sewer tunnels dank
refuse tip and river bank,
born to live in the rodent’s blood
that breed by millions in the mud
‘neath civilized man’s abode.
Parasitic flea on disease ridden rat
life feeds on life
the plague filled rat in death won’t bleed
so man must meet the plagued flea’s need
death feeds on life.
Blind stupid foolish man we say
smug in our knowledge of today,
idiot designer of the cause, ignorant of hygiene,
but that was long ago.
Enlightened now in every land — we fear no plague,
and yet, what do I hear? one small report,
midst the roaring headlines of news
of war’s redundant righteous views.
Black plague in South Vietnam.
Incubate black horror.
Bred in the war torn slums of Saigon,
battle-ground of politicians’ dreams,
mirror of man’s inhumanities,
multiply your victims tenfold,
add terror to what we have already sown,
Cholera, Syphilis, and Gonorrhea,
Napalm bombs the people fear.
Rest easy Australia.
The censor’s pen prevents alarm,
protects us all from outside harm,
it softens news of our defeats,
and clothes our intents with deceits,
but should one ship with one plagued rat
touch our shore.
What then censor man — what then?
No need to censor, guard our views.
Black plague will trumpet forth the news.
Here in Australia.

© Harry Robertson,
and subsequently ©1995 Mrs Rita Robertson, Brisbane, AUSTRALIA
Registered with APRA/AMCOS www.apra-amcos.com.au