01.06.2016 07:54 AM

Working for the Clampdown

Listening to the CBC news on the way in with Son Three this morning – and with the world seeming palpably (more) dangerous, here and here and here – we switched to Sirius XM and this came on.

Told my son to listen to the words. Still a tonic for the times.

What are we gonna do now?

Taking off his turban, they said, is this man a Jew?
‘Cause they’re working for the clampdown
They put up a poster saying we earn more than you!
When we’re working for the clampdown
We will teach our twisted speech
To the young believers
We will train our blue-eyed men
To be young believers

The judge said five to ten – but I say double that again
I’m not working for the clampdown
No man born with a living soul
Can be working for the clampdown
Kick over the wall, ’cause government’s to fall
How can you refuse it?
Let fury have the hour, anger can be power
D’you know that you can use it?

The voices in your head are calling
Stop wasting your time, there’s nothing coming
Only a fool would think someone could save you
The men at the factory are old and cunning
You don’t owe nothing, so boy get runnin’
It’s the best years of your life they want to steal

You grow up and you calm down
You’re working for the clampdown
You start wearing the blue and brown
You’re working for the clampdown
So you got someone to boss around
It makes you feel big now
You drift until you brutalize
Make your first kill now

In these days of evil Presidentes
Working for the clampdown
But lately one or two has fully paid their due
For working for the clampdown
Ha! Gitalong! Gitalong! (working for the clampdown)
Ha! Gitalong! Gitalong! (working for the clampdown)

Yeah I’m working hard in Harrisburg
Working hard in Petersburg (working for the clampdown, working for the clampdown)
Ha! Gitalong! Gitalong!
Beggin’ to be melted down

And I’ll give away no secrets

4 Comments

  1. RichardDennis says:

    Clampdown – one of the most important songs to come out of England in the 1970s. Showcase song for The Clash – Strummer and Jones sing and they define the state of the world in 1979

  2. patrick says:

    Fuck they were good.

    As I was tied down to the couch politely watching “The Voice” with my better half and contemplating that there are appropriate times for an AK-47, I figured that the Clash wouldn’t have made it past round one of these insipid contests. Yet, if I was on a island with any of the winners music I’d just listen to the waves on the beach until rescued. If I had the Clash and the Mescaleroes they’d find me dancing in the waves.

    Of course, then the rescuers would just turn around and leave me there.

    Worth it!

  3. John says:

    So that’s where your book title came from.

    I should have picked up on that a long time ago.

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