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Like an old western

"Like An Old Western"

C. Steven Blue performs "Like An Old Western"
at The Poetry Stage @ Festival of Eugene, 8/22/2015
(with Eve King Lehman on flute & Andrew Gonzalez on Djembe)
Like An Old Western

The pharmaceuticals,
The Insurance companies,
The Oil companies, The Energy companies,
The Banks & Wall Street,
The Government & The Fed...

They all say we’re better off
But they’d just as soon see us dead

They say things are better
But nothing has changed
They still get their profits
They’re just rearranged

While most just still suffer
From the inflation game
When everything rises... but wages
We’re not turning pages

No big change upon us
The bought and the paid for
Have thrown us under the bus

What’s the fuss?
Wanna cuss?
Won’t do you no good
‘Cause the do-gooders are gone
Long time... moved on

No Ground can be gained
It’s all the same
They’re the ones to blame
And it’s such a shame
We can’t pin it on their name
But compassion’s never been
Their claim to fame

But it’s nothing...
Disgusting...
No life here...
Ain’t no life nowhere
It’s like watching a western
That’s old and outdated
You thought it had substance
But it’s just overrated

‘Cause they pound you with everything
They say that you need
But watch out for the side effects
Filled up with their greed

The Corporate Greed...
Just sucks us dry
Can’t get away from it
No matter how ya try

If you send someone up
To fix it for you
It just doesn’t matter
‘Cause they’ll get sucked in too

Until REGULATION
Is re-diligently done
Forget about it !!!
COMPASSION
Is just on the run...

No help for your fellow man
No relief for the Workers’ stand
Children starving -
All over this land
In the U.S. of A. ... man
It’s the U.S. of A. !!!

All the brainwashed clones
Drinking their Starbucks
And eating scones

Spread the news...
Like there’s no tomorrow
Do anything to you...
Beg, steal or borrow

At a moment’s peep
Like sheep on the cheap
Just follow whatever they’re told...
Led fully blind
Like they’ve done all the time
And will til the day they grow old

Never wake up
To walk in the sunlight
Can’t get it together
They’re just not too bright

Rather shoot you...
Or accuse you...
And definitely abuse you

Til the day that you die
They’ll never look you in the eye
‘Cause they’re guilty... man
Eggs fried in a pan

Of promoted ad-libbing
Recycled fibbing

Can’t think for themselves
Too scary to change
Forever declaring
It’s home on the range

But it’s nothing...
Disgusting...
No life here...
Ain’t no life nowhere

Yeah, it’s like an old  western
It’s old and outdated
You thought it had substance
But it’s just overrated

They pound you with everything
They say that you need
Watch out for the side effects
Filled with their greed

A critical thinking person
Is music to my ears
For hoards of heartless people
Have been marching through the years

Like a vampire’s bite... they suck you dry
To drain your spiritual light

But every now and then you find
Someone whose light is bright

You fight to keep it shining
Can’t give in to the blind
The music still reminding you
To keep an open mind

‘Cause it just ain’t now
What it so was then

It ain’t bright enough
But you keep on wonderin’ when

Keep fighting for the light...
Keep breaking thru the night...
Helping others when you might...
So they too may wake up...
When it’s right

Investments are good right now
Jobs... well they’re bad
There’s many foreclosures
Around to be had

It’s an interesting situation
Out there for you...
Things are looking up

If you’re one of the few

But for those of us... most
Things are still looking toast
The ghost of prosperity
Seems a thing of the past...
And there’s no present signs
That these feelings won’t last

The problems and bills
Seem to compound so fast

You try - and try hard
To make ends meet
To keep things a-floating
To stay on your feet

But you’re tired and beaten
And ground to the core
And even when you’re feeling good
The wolf is at the door

When’s it gonna come your way
When’s it gonna pay...
To lead a hard-working honest life
And have some relief from the strife

Get up on top and not fall...
Get ahead, have a buffer...
That’s all  

But who’s really listening
And who’s gonna lead
To bring real prosperity
And not just feed the greed

Sometimes it seems useless... I know
And just hopeless, man

But somehow you always get up
And keep doin’ what you can

For yourself ...
And your fellow man

Well, I can see the light in you
I see it... yes I can
I don’t have words of wisdom
But I’m glad you make a stand
Because it’s the real Americans like you
Who will eventually save this land
The compassion in your hearts
The ones who still reach out their hand

The ones who make this country grand
Many grains of sand...
Not bland...

The true American Brand

And, yes...
It’s like an old western
It’s old and outdated
You thought it had substance
But it’s just overrated
They pound you with everything
They say that you need
Watch out for the side effects
Filled with their greed

It’s just nothing...
Disgusting...
No life here...
Ain’t no life nowhere...

 (with apologies to Jimi Hendrix)


 © C. Steven Blue 9/26/2009


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