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Hard Line

from American Wake by The Elders

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about

a protest song about social injustice

lyrics

Donaghues closed up tight tonight as I wander the streets of town
Too late to get drunk too early to pray, too cold to lay back down
The union says we’re all for one but the boss man’s locked us out
And the Governor sent the goon squad, showing us what he’s all about

Well I used to work the factory but the lines have moved on
With hand to mouth so far between the golden times are gone
So I called in all my favors, turned over every stone
And ran down every number from my finger to the bone

Now a hard line’s been handed down
From Sligo jail to London town
If ever a time of need my boys, that time is now
After all they’ve taken there’s nothing left
But our lives to lay down
We can leave tonight or bloody well fight
A hard line’s been handed down

Now the loyal opposition is sharpening up their knifes
They got ‘em out to twist and shout and give us back our lives
There’re marching to Jerusalem, there’re fighting in the fields
‘Til the mother’s son comes home again and all will be revealed

Now if anyone has a problem with the noise that we have made
With truncheons and brass knuckles we can easily persuade
The leaders of all nations that grind their people down
With lies and spies and bayonets, we’ll put them in the ground

Now a hard line’s been handed down
From Sligo jail to London town
If ever a time of need my boys, that time is now
After all they’ve taken there’s nothing left
But our lives to lay down
We can leave tonight or bloody well fight
A hard line’s been handed down


This is a protest song about social injustice.
It’s about power from the bottom up, not from the top down
People power vs. corporate power.

credits

from American Wake, released November 1, 2004

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all rights reserved

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The Elders Kansas City, Missouri

The Elders were founded in 1998 by six musicians with a passion for music rooted in Irish jigs & reels & American folk rock. Their original songs offer delightful story lines, with vibrant narratives that explore history, legends, tall tales and true-life experiences ... more

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