Clash

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CLASH

 

Give 'Em Enough Rope

 


Safe European Home
(Strummer/Jones)

 
WELL, I JUST GOT BACK AN' I WISH I NEVER LEAVE NOW
WHO DAT MARTIAN ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT?
HOW MANY LOCAL DOLLARS FOR A LOCAL ANAESTHETIC?
THE JOHNNY ON THE CORNER WAS A VERY SYMPATHETIC
 
I WENT TO THE PLACE WHERE EVERY WHITE FACE IS AN
INVITATION TO ROBBERY
AN' SITTING HERE IN MY SAFE EUROPEAN HOME
I DON'T WANNA GO BACK THERE AGAIN
 
WASN'T I LUCKY N' WOULDN'T IT BE LOVERLY?
SEND US ALL CARDS, AN' HAVE A LAYING IN ON A SUNDAY
I WAS THERE FOR TWO WEEKS, SO HOW COME I NEVER TELL
THAT NATTY DREAD DRINKS AT THE SHERATON HOTEL?
 
NOW THEY GOT THE SUN, AN' THEY GOT THE PALM TREES
THEY GOT THE WEED, AN' THEY GOT THE TAXIS
WHOA, THE HARDER THEY COME, N' THE HOME OF OL' BLUEBEAT
YES I'D STAY AN' BE A TOURIST BUT I CAN'T TAKE THE GUNPLAY
 

 
English Civil War
(Traditional; Arranged by Strummer/Jones)

 

WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME AGAIN
HE'S COMING BY BUS OR UNDERGROUND
A WOMAN'S EYE WILL SHED A TEAR
TO SEE HIS FACE SO BEATEN IN FEAR
AN' IT WAS JUST AROUND THE CORNER IN THE ENGLISH CIVIL WAR
 
IT WAS STILL AT THE STAGE OF CLUBS AND FISTS
WHEN THAT WELL-KNOWN FACE GOT BEATEN TO BITS
YOUR FACE WAS BLUE IN THE LIGHT OF THE SCREEN
AS WE WATCHED THE SPEECH OF AN ANIMAL SCREAM
THE NEW PARTY ARMY WAS MARCHING RIGHT OVER OUR HEADS
 
ALRIGHT
 
THERE YOU ARE, HA HA, I TOLD YOU SO
SAYS EVERYBODY THAT WE KNOW
BUT WHO HID A RADIO UNDER THE STAIRS
AN' WHO GOT CAUGHT OUT ON THEIR UNAWARES?
WHEN THAT NEW PARTY ARMY CAME MARCHING RIGHT UP THE STAIRS
 
WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME AGAIN
NOBODY UNDERSTANDS IT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN
THE SUN IS SHINING AN' THE KIDS ARE SHOUTING LOUD
BUT YOU GOTTA KNOW IT'S SHINING THROUGH A CRACK IN THE CLOUD
AND THE SHADOWS KEEP FALLING WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME
 

 
Tommy Gun
(Strummer/Jones)

 
TOMMY GUN
YOU AIN'T HAPPY LESS YOU GOT ONE
TOMMY GUN
AIN'T GONNA SHOOT THE PLACE UP
JUST FOR FUN
MAYBE HE WANTS TO DIE  FOR THE MONEY
MAYBE HE WANTS TO KILL FOR HIS COUNTRY
WHATEVER HE WANTS, HE'S GONNA GET IT!
 
TOMMY GUN
YOU BETTER STRIP IT DOWN FOR A CUSTOM RUN
TOMMY GUN
WAITING IN THE AIRPORT 'TILL KINGDOM COME
AN' WE CAN WATCH YOU MAKE IT
ON THE NINE O'CLOCK NEWS
STANDING THERE IN PALESTINE LIGHTING THE FUSE
WHATEVER YOU WANT, YOU'RE GONNA GET IT
 
TOMMY GUN
YOU'LL BE DEAD WHEN YOUR WAR IS WON
TOMMY GUN
BUT DID YOU HAVE TO GUN DOWN EVERYONE?
I CAN SEE IT'S KILL OR BE KILLED
A NATION OF DESTINY HAS GOT TO BE FULFILLED
WHATEVER YOU WANT, YOU'RE GONNA GET IT!
 
TOMMY GUN
YOU CAN BE A HERO IN AN AGE OF NONE
TOMMY GUN
I'M CUTTING OUT YOUR PICTURE FROM PAGE ONE
I'M GONNA GET A JACKET JUST LIKE YOURS
AN' GIVE MY FALSE SUPPORT TO YOUR CAUSE
WHATEVER YOU WANT, YOU'RE GONNA GET IT!
 
BOATS AN' TANKS AND PLANES, IT'S YOUR GAME
KINGS AN' QUEENS AN' GENERALS LEARN YOUR NAME
I SEE ALL THE INNOCENTS, THE HUMAN SACRIFICE
AND IF DEATH COMES SO CHEAP
THEN THE SAME GOES FOR LIFE!
 

 
Julie's in the Drug Squad
(Strummer/Jones)

 
IT'S LUCY IN THE SKY AND ALL KINDS OF APPLE PIE
SHE GIGGLES AT THE SCREEN 'COS IT LOOKS SO GREEN
THERE'S CARPETS ON THE PAVEMENTS
AND FEATHERS IN HER EYE
BUT SOONER OR LATER, HER NEW FRIENDS WILL REALISE
THAT JULIE'S BEEN WORKING FOR THE DRUG SQUAD
 
WELL IT SEEMED LIKE A DREAM, TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
STASH IT IN THE BANK WHILE THE TABLETS GROW HIGH
IN THEIR MILLIONS
 
AND EVERYBODY'S HIGH (HI, MAN...)
BUT THERE'S SOMEONE LOOKING DOWN
FROM THAT MOUNTAINSIDE
'COS JULIE'S BEEN WORKING FOR THE DRUG SQUAD
 
AND IT'S TEN YEARS FOR YOU
NINETEEN FOR YOU
AND YOU CAN GET OUT IN TWENTY-FIVE
THAT IS IF YOU'RE STILL ALIVE
 
AN' THEN THERE CAME THE NIGHT OF THE GREATEST EVER RAID
THEY ARRESTED EVERY DRUG THAT HAD EVER BEEN MADE
THEY TOOK EIGHTY-TWO LAWS
THROUGH EIGHTY-TWO DOORS
AND THEY DIDN'T HALT THE PULL
TILL THE CELLS WERE ALL FULL
'COS JULIE WAS WORKING FOB THE DRUG SQUAD
 
THEY PUT HIM IN A CELL, THEY SAID YOU WAIT HERE
YOU'VE GOT THE TIME TO COUNT ALL OF YOUR HAIR
YOU'VE GOT FIFTEEN YEARS
A MIGHTY LONG TIME
YOU COULD HAVE BEEN A PHYSICIST
BUT NOW YOUR NAME IS ON THE MAILBAG LIST
JULIE'S BEEN WORKING FOR THE DRUG SQUAD
 
GUMBO!
 

 
Last Gang in Town
(Strummer/Jones)

 
Everybody's looking for last gang in town
You better watch out for they're all comin' around
 
The sport of today is exciting
The in crowd are into infighting
When some punk sees some rock-olla
It's rock and roll all over
In every street and every station
Kids fight like different nations
And it's brawn against brain
And it's knife against chain
But it's all young blood
Flowing down the drain
 
The Crops hit the Stiffs
An' the Spikes whipped the Quiffs
They're all looking 'round
 
For the last gang in town
 
Meanwhile down in black town
Those old soul rebels are haingin' around
An' when some punk come alooking for sound
Rastaferi goes to ground
The white heart flipped his pocket dipped
'Cos a black sharp knife never slips
And they never say to one antoher
That tomorrow we might kill our brothers
 
Down from the edge of London
The rockabily rebels came
From another edge of London
Skinhead gangs call out their name
But not the Zydeco kids
From the high rise
Though they can't be recognized
When you hear a cajun fiddle
Then you're nearly in the middle
Of the last gang in town
 

 
Guns on the Roof
(The Clash)

 
I swear by Almighty God
To tell the whole truth
And nothing but the truth
 
Guns guns
They torture all the women and children
Then they've put the men to the gun
'Cos across the human frontier
Freedom's always on the run
 
Guns guns a-shaking in terror
Guns guns killing in error
Guns guns guilty hands
Guns guns shatter the lands
 
A system built by the sweat of the many
Creates assassins to kill off the few
Take any place and call it a court house
This is a place where no judge can stand
 
Sue the lawyers and burn all the papers
Unlock the key of the legal papers
A jury of a billion faces
Shouted out condemned out of hand
 
Guns guns, and nobody's kidding
Guns guns, or foolin' around
Guns guns, the violence is singing
Guns guns, a silence the sound
 
'N I Iike to be in Aferica
A-beatin' on the final drum
'N I like to be in U.S.S.R.
Makin' sure these things will come
'N I like to be in U.S.A.
Pretending that the wars are done
'N I like to be in Europa
Saying goodbye to everyone
 
Guns guns there's guns on the roof
Guns guns they're made to shoot
 

 
Drug Stabbing Time
(Strummer/Jones)

 
Drug stabbing time
Well I got working on the Ford line
A paying off the big fine
Drug stabbin' time
 
Drug stabbin' time
Is from nine to nine
Nobody wantsa user
Nobody needs a loser
So kick him out that door
An' don't answer it no more
 
Drug stabbin' time
It's a Greenwich Mean Time
Your friends all hate each other you think
You've got another
But who's at the door?
Don't answer it no more
 
Drug stabbin time
In a bedroom crime
There's a tape recording on a telephone line
An' it's ringin from the floor
So don't answer it no more
 
Now I was lying in my room
It was raining drugs all afternoon.
I hear this car pull up outside
Comes to a stop like, skreeee
 
Someone's in a hurry
'N someone better worry
'Cos these four guys all had on their feet
A pair of black shoes shining and neat
I thinks
 
Blackshoes on
No that's bad news
Here they come charging up the stairs alright
Sonny just tell us where
 
Drug stabbin time
Don't ask me mate
Working on the Ford line
Paying off the big fine
Drug stabbin' time
 

 
Stay Free
(Strummer/Jones)

 
WE MET WHEN WE WERE IN SCHOOL
NEVER TOOK NO SHIT FROM NO ONE, WE WEREN'T FOOLS
THE TEACHER SAYS WE'RE DUMB
WE'RE ONLY HAVING FUN
WE PISS ON EVERYONE
IN THE CLASSROOM
 
WHEN WE GOT THROWN OUT I LEFT WITHOUT MUCH FUSS
AN' WEEKENDS WE'D GO DANCING
DOWN STREATHAM ON THE BUS
YOU ALWAYS MADE ME LAUGH
 
GOT ME IN BAD FIGHTS
PLAY ME POOL ALL NIGHT
SMOKIN' MENTHOL
 
I PRACTISED DAILY IN MY ROOM
YOU WERE DOWN THE CROWN PLANNING YOUR NEXT MOVE
GO ON A NICKING SPREE
HIT THE WRONG GUY
EACH OF YOU GET THREE
YEARS IN BRIXTON
 
I DID MY VERY BEST TO WRITE
HOW WAS BUTLINS?
WERE THE SCREWS TOO TIGHT?
WHEN YOU LOT GET OUT
WERE GONNA HIT THE TOWN
WE'LL BURN IT FUCKIN' DOWN
TO A CINDER
 
COS YEARS HAVE PASSED AND THINGS HAVE CHANGED
AND I MOVE ANYWAY I WANNA GO
I'LL NEVER FORGET THE FEELING I GOT
WHEN I HEARD THAT YOU'D GOT HOME
AN' I'LL NEVER FORGET THE SMILE ON MY FACE
'COS I KNEW WHERE YOU WOULD BE
AN' IF YOU'RE IN THE CROWN TONIGHT
HAVE A DRINK ON ME
BUT GO EASY...STEP LIGHTLY...STAY FREE
 

 
Cheapskates
(Strummer/Jones)

 
I have been a washer up
An' he has been a scrubber up
An' I seen him a picking up
Dog ends in the rain
An' he has never read a book
Though I told him to take a look
He lifted his poolhall cue
For another game
But it ain't no modern miracle
That we found the golden rule
What you can't buy you gotta steal
An' what you say can't steal you better leave
 
I don't like to hang about
In this lonely room
'Cos london is for going out
And trying to hear a tune
But people come pouncing up to me
And say what are you doing here
You're supposed to be a star
Not a cheapskate bleeding queer
 
Like a load of rats from a sinking ship
You slag us down to save your hip
But you don't give me the benfit
Of your doubt
'Cos I'll bite it off and spit it out
 
We're cheapskates anything'll do
We're cheapskates what are we supposed to do?
An' we can rock
Hey hey let's roll
An' we can walk
An' do the stroll
 
Just because we're in a group
You think we're stinking rich
'N we all got model girls
Shedding every stitch
'N You think the cocaine's flowing
Like a river up our noses
'N every sea will part for us
Like the red one did for Moses
 
Well I hope you make it one day
Just like you always said you would some day
And I'll get out my money and make a bet
That I'll be seein' you down the launderette
 

 
All the Young Punks (New Boots and Contracts)
(Strummer/Jones)

 
Hanging about down the market street
 
I spent a lot of time on my feet
When I saw some passing yabbos
We did chance to speak
 
I knew how to sing
y' know an
They knew how to pose
An' one of them had a Les Paul
Heart attack machine
 
All the young punks
Laugh your life
Cos there ain't much to cry for
All the young cunts
Live it now
Cos there ain't much to die for
 
Everybody wants to bum
A ride on the rock 'n' roller coaster
And we went out
Got our name in small print on the poster
Of course we got a manger
Though he ain't the mafia
A contract is a contract
When they get 'em out on yer
 
You gotta drag yourself to work
Drag yourself to sleep
You're dead from the neck up
By the middle of the week
 
Face front you got the future shining
Like a piece of gold
But I swear as we get closer
It look more like a lump of coal
But it's better than some factory
Now that's no place to waste your youth
I worked there for a week once
I luckily got the boot
 



 


The Clash - London Calling
 


London Calling
(Strummer/Jones)

London calling to the faraway towns
Now that war is declared-and battle come down
London calling to the underworld
Come out of the cupboard, all you boys and girls
London calling, now don't look at us
All that phoney Beatlemania has bitten the dust
London calling, see we ain't got no swing
'Cept for the ring of that truncheon thing
 
CHORUS
The ice age is coming, the sun is zooming in
Engines stop running and the wheat is growing thin
A nuclear error, but I have no fear
London is drowning-and I live by the river
 
London calling to the imitation zone
Forget it, brother, an' go it alone
London calling upon the zombies of death
Quit holding out-and draw another breath
London calling-and I don't wanna shout
But when we were talking-I saw you nodding out
London calling, see we ain't got no highs
Except for that one with the yellowy eyes
 
CHORUS
 
Now get this
London calling, yeah, I was there, too
An' you know what they said? Well, some of it was true!
London calling at the top of the dial
After all this, won't you give me a smile?
 
I never felt so much a' like
 

Brand New Cadillac
(Vince Taylor)

Driiiiiiiive!!!
Driiiiiiiive!!!
 
My baby drove up in a brand new Cadillac
Yes she did!
My baby drove up in a brand new Cadillac
She said, "Hey, come here, Daddy!"
"I ain't never comin' back!"
 
Baby, baby, won't you hear my plea?
C'mon, sugar, just come on back to me
She said, "Balls to you, Big Daddy."
She ain't never coming back!
 
Baby, baby, won't you hear my plea?
Oh c'mon, just hear my plea
She said, "Balls to you, Daddy."
She ain't coming back to me
 
Baby, baby drove up in a Cadillac
I said, "Jesus Christ! Where'd you get that cadillac?"
She said, "Balls to you, Daddy."
She ain't never coming back!
 

Jimmy Jazz
(Strummer/Jones)

The police walked in for Jimmy Jazz
I said, he ain't here, but he sure went past
Oh, you're looking for Jimmy Jazz
 
Sattamassagana for Jimmy Dread
Cut off his ears and chop off his head
Police came looking for Jimmy Jazz
 
So if you're gonna take a message 'cross this town
Maybe put it down somewhere over the other side
See it gets to Jimmy Jazz
 
Don't you bother me, not anymore
I can't take this tale, oh, no more
It's all around, Jimmy Jazz
 
J-a-zee zee J-a-zed zed
J-a-zed zed Jimmy Jazz
And then it sucks, he said, suck that!
So go look all around, you can try your luck, brother
ANd see what you found
But I guarantee that it ain't your day
Chop! Chop!
 

Hateful
(Strummer/Jones)

Well, I got a friend who's a man
What man?
 The man who keeps me from the lovely
He gives me what I need
What you need? What you got?
I need it all so badly
 
CHORUS
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
It's hateful
And it's paid for and I'm so grateful to be nowhere
 
This year I've lost some friends
Some friends? What friends?
I dunno, I ain't even noticed
 
You see, I gotta go out again
Again? My friend
I gotta see that mainman
 
I killed all my nerves
My nerves? What swerves?
And I can't drive so steady
 
I've lost my memory
My mind? Behind!
I can't see so clearly
 
CHORUS
 

Rudie Can't Fail
(Strummer/Jones)

Sing, Michael, sing-on the route of the 19 Bus
Hear them sayin'
How you get a rude and a reckless?
Don't you be so crude and a feckless
You been drinking brew for breakfast
Rudie can't fail
 
So we reply
I know that my life make you nervous
But I tell you that I can't live in service
Like the doctor who was born for a purpose***
Rudie can't fail
 
I WENT TO THE MARKET TO REALISE MY SOUL
'CAUSE WHAT I NEED I JUST DON'T HAVE
FIRST THEY CURSE, THEN THEY PRESS ME TILL I HURT
WE SAY RUDIE CAN'T FAIL
 
We hear them sayin'
Now first you must cure your temper
Then you find a job in the paper
You need someone for a saviour
Oh, Rudie can't fail
 
We reply
Now we get a rude and a reckless
We been seen lookin' cool an' a speckless
We been drinking brew for breakfast
So Rudie can't fail
 
Okay!
So where you wanna go today?
Hey boss man!
You're looking pretty smart
In your chicken skin suit
 
You think you're pretty hot
In your pork pie hat
But...Rudie can't fail
Look out, look out...
Sky juice!...10 cents a bottle!
 
*DOCTOR ALIMANTADO
 

Spanish Bombs
(Strummer/Jones)

Spanish songs in Andalucia
The shooting sites in the days of '39
Oh, please, leave the vendanna open
Fredrico Lorca is dead and gone
Bullet holes in the cemetery walls
The black cars of the Guardia Civil
Spanish bombs on the Costa Rica
I'm flying in a DC 10 tonight
 
CHORUS
Spanish bombs, yo tequierro y finito
Yote querda, oh mi corazon
Spanish bombs, yo te quierro y finito
Yo te querda, oh mi corazon
 
Spanish weeks in my disco casino
The freedom fighters died upon the hill
They sang the red flag
They wore the black one
But after they died it was Mockingbird Hill
Back home the buses went up in flashes
The Irish tomb was drenched in blood
Spanish bombs shatter the hotels
My senorita's rose was nipped in the bud
 
CHORUS
 
The hillsides ring with "Free the people"
Or can I hear the echo from the days of '39?
With trenches full of poets
The ragged army, fixin' bayonets to fight the other line
Spanish bombs rock the province
I'm hearing music from another time
Spanish bombs on the Costa Brava
I'm flying in on a DC 10 tonight
Spanish songs in Andalucia, Mandolina, oh mi corazon
Spanish songs in Granada, oh mi corazon
 

Right Profile
(Strummer/Jones)

Say, where did I see this guy?
In Red River?
Or a place in the sun?
Maybe the Misfits?
Or From Here to Eternity?
 
Everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
Everybody say, "He sure look funny."
That's...Montgomery Clift, honey!
 
New York, New York, New York, 42nd Street
Hustlers rustle and pimps pimp the beat
Monty Clift is recognized at dawn
He ain't got no shoes and his clothes are torn
 
I see a car smashed at night
Cut the applause and dim the light
Monty's face is broken on a wheel
Is he alive? Can he still feel?
 
Nembutol numbs it all
But I prefer alcohol
 
He said go out and get me my old movie stills
Go out and get me another roll of pills
There I go again shaking, but I ain't got the chills
 
ARRRGHHHGORRA BUH BHUH DO ARRRRGGGGHHHHNNNN!!!!
 

Lost in the Supermarket
(Strummer/Jones)

CHORUS
I'm all lost in the supermarket
I can no longer shop happily
I came in her for that special offer
A guaranteed personality
 
I wasn't born so much as I fell out
Nobody seemed to notice me
We had a hedge back home in the suburbs
Over which I never could see
 
I heard the people who lived on the ceiling
Scream and fight most scarily
Hearing that noise was my first ever feeling
That's how it's been all around me
 
CHORUS
 
I'm all tuned in, I see all the programmes
I save coupons from packets of tea
I've got my giant hit discoteque album
I empty a bottle and I feel a bit free
 
The kids in the halls and the pipes in the walls
Make me noises for company
Long distance callers make long distance calls
And the silence makes me lonely
 
CHORUS
 
And it's not hear
It disappear
I'm all lost
 

Clampdown
(Strummer/Jones)

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
You made 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
But ha! Gitalong! Gitalong!
 
And I've given away no secrets
Who's barmy now?
 

Guns of Brixton
(Paul Simonon)

When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun
 
When the law break in
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
Or waiting on death row
 
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
 
The money feels good
And your life you like it well
But surely your time will come
As in heaven, as in hell
 
You see, he feels like Ivan
Born under the Brixton sun
His game is called survivin'
At the end of the harder they come
 
You know it means no mercy
They caught him with a gun
No need for the Black Maria
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
 
You can crush us
You can bruise us
Yes, even shoot us
But oh-the guns of Brixton
 
When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun
 
You can crush us
You can bruise us
Yes, even shoot us
But oh-the guns of Brixton
 
Shot down on the pavement
Waiting in death row
His game is called survivin'
As in heaven as in hell
 
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
 

Wrong 'Em Boyo
(C. Alphanso)

Stagger Lee met Billy and they go down to gambling
Stagger Lee throwed seven
Billy said that he throwed eight
So Billy said, hey Stagger! I'm gonna make my big attack
I'm gonna have to leave my knife in your back
 
Why do you try to cheat?
And trample people under your feet
Don't you know it is wrong?
To cheat the trying man
So you better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo
 
You lie, steal, cheat and deceit
In such a small, small game
Don't you know it is wrong
 
Billy Boy has been shot
And Stagger Lee's come out on top
Don't you know it is wrong
To cheat the trying man
To cheat Stagger man
You'd better stop
So you must start all over again-all over again
You got to play it, Billy, play, you got to play it, Billy, play
And you will find it is the right 'em boyo
 
But if you must lie and deceit
And trample people under your feet
Don't you know it is wrong
It is the wrong 'em boyo
 

Death or Glory
(Strummer/Jones)

Every cheap hood strikes a bargain with the world
And ends up making payments on a sofa or a girl
Love 'n' hate tattooed across the knuckles of his hands
The hands that slap his kids around 'cause they don't understand
 
How death or glory becomes just another story
How death or glory becomes just another story
'N' every gimmick hungry yob digging gold from rock 'n' roll
Grabs the mike to tell us he'll die before he's sold
But i believe in this-and it's been tested by research
That he who fucks nun will later join the church
 
From every dingy basement on every dingy street
I hear every dragging handclap over every dragging beat
That's just the beat of time-the beat that must go on
If you been trying for years-then we already heard your song
 

Koka Kola
(Strummer/Jones)

Elevator! Going up!
In the gleaming corridors of the 51st floor
The money can be made if you really want some more
Executive decision-a clinical precision
Jumping from the windows-filled with indecision
 
I get good advice from the advertising world
Treat me nice says the party girl
Koke adds life where there isn't any
So freeze, man, freeze
 
It's the pause that refreshes in the corridors of power
When top men need a top up long before the happy hour
Your snakeskin suit and your alligator boot
You won't need a launderette, you can send them to the vet!
 
I get my advice from the advertising world
Treat me nice says the party girl
Koke adds life where there isn't any
So freeze, man, freeze
 
Koka Kola advertising and kokaine
Strolling down the Broadway in the rain
Neon light sign says it
I read it in the paper-they're crazy!
Suit your life, maybe so
In the White House-I know
All Over Berlin (they've been doing it for years)
And in Manhattan!
 
Coming through the door is a snub nose 44
What the barrel can't snort it can spatter on the floor
Your eyeballs feel like pinballs
And your tongue feels like a fish
You're leaping from the windows-saying don't
Ayaiiiiirrrghhh!!
Don't give me none of this!
 
I get good advice from the advertising world
Treat me nice says the party girl
Koke adds life where there isn't any
So freeze, man, freeze
Hit the deck!
 

Card Cheat
(Strummer/Jones)

There's a solitary man crying, "Hold me."
It's only because he's a-lonely
If the keeper of time runs slowly
He won't be alive for long!
 
If he only had time to tell of all of the things he planned
With a card up his sleeve, what would he achieve?
It means nothing!
 
To the opium den and the barroom gin
In the Belmont chair playing violins
The gambler's face cracks into a grin
As he lays down the king of spades
 
But the dealer just stares
There's something wrong here, he thinks
The gambler is seized and forced to his knees
And shot dead
 
He only wanted more time
Away from the darkest door
But his luck it gave in
As the dawn light crept in
And he lay on the floor
 
From the Hundred Year War to the Crimea
With a lance and a musket and a Roman spear
To all of the men who have stood with no fear
In the service of the King
 
Before you met your fate be sure you
Did not forsake your lover
May not be around anymore
 

Lover's Rock
(Strummer/Jones)

Yeh, you must treat your lover girl right
If you wanna make lover's rock
You must know a place you can kiss to make lovers rock
'Cause everybody knows it's a crying shame
But nobody knows the poor babie's name
When she forgot that thing that she had to swallow
 
You Western man, you're free with your seed
When you make lovers rock
But woops! there goes the strength that you need
To make real cool lovers rock
'Cause a genuine lover takes off his clothes
And he can make a lover in a thousand go's
An' she don't need that thing that she had to swallow
 

Four Horsemen
(Strummer/Jones)

Well they were given the grapes that go ripe in the sun
That loosen the screws at the back of the tongue
But they told no one where they had begun-four horsemen
 
They were given al lthe foods of vanity
And all the instant promises of immortality
Buyt they bit the dust screamin' insanity!-four horsemen
 
One was over the edge, one was over the cliff
One was lickin' em dry with a bloody great spliff
When they picked up the hiker he didn't want the lift
From the horsemen
 
But you!
You're not searching, are you now?
You're not looking anyhow
You're never gonna ride that lonely mile
Or put yourself up on trial
Oh, you told me how your life was so bad
An' I agree that it does seem sad
But that's the price that you gotta pay
If you're lazing all around all day
Four horsement coming right through
Four horsemen and they're pissing by you
They make you look like you're wearing a truss
Four hosemen and it's gonna be us
 
Well they gave useverything for bending the mind
ANd we cleaned out their pockets and we drank 'em blind
IT's a long way to the finish so don't get left behind
By those horsemen
 
And they gave us the grapes that went ripe in the sun
That loosen the scews at the back of the tongue
But we still told nothing 'bout what was to come
Four horsemen
 

I'm Not Down
(Strummer/Jones)

If it's true that a rich man leads a sad life
N' that's what they from day to day
Then what do all the poor do with their lives?
Have nothing to say on judgment day?
 
I've been beat up, I've been thrown
Out but I'm not down, I'm not down
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
And I'm not down, I'm not down
 
On my own I faced a gang of jeering in strange streets
When my nerves were pumping and I
Fought my fear in, I did not run
I was not done
 
And I have lived that kind of day
When one of your sorrows will go away
It goes down and down and hit the floor
Down and down and down some more
Depression
But I now there'll be some way
When I can swing everything back my way
Like skyscrapers rising up
Floor by floor, I'm not giving up
 
So you rock around and think that
You're the toughest
In the world, the whole wide world
But you're streets away from where
It gets the roughest
You ain't been there
 

Revolution Rock
(J. Edwards/D. Ray)

Revolution rock, it is a brand new rock
A bad, bad rock, this here revolution rock
 
Careful how you move, Mac, you dig me in me back
An' I'm so pilled up that I rattle
I have got the sharpeest knife, so I cut the biggest slice
But I have no time to do battle
 
Everybody smash up your seats and rock to this
Brand new beat
This here music mash up the nation
This here music cause a sensation
Tell your ma, tell your pa everything's gonna be all right
Can't you feel it? DOn't ignore it
Gonna be Arl-right
 
Revolution rock, I am in a state of shock
So bad, bad rock, this here revolution rock
 
Careful how you slide, Clyde, all you did was glide
And you poured your beer in me hat
With my good eye on the beat, living on fixation strete
And I ai't got no time for that
 

Train in Vain
(Strummer/Jones)

Say you stand by your man
Tell me something I don't understand
You said you love me and that's a fact
Then you left me, said you felt trapped
 
Well some things you can explain away
But my heartache's in me till this day
 
CHORUS
Did you stand by me
No, not at all
Did you stand by me
No way
 
All the times
When we were close
I'll remember these things the most
I see all my dreams come tumbling down
I won't be happy without you around
 
So all alone I keep the wolves at bay
There is only one thing that I can say
 
CHORUS
 
You must explain why this must be
Did you lie when you spoke to me
 
Did you stand by me
No, not at all
 
Now I got a job
But it don't pay
I need new clothes
I need somewhere to stay
But without all these things I can do
But without your love I won't make it through
 
But you don't understand my point of view
I suppose there's nothing I can do
 
CHORUS
 
You must explain why this must be
Did you lie when you spoke to me?
 
Did you stand by me
Did you stand by me
No, not at all
Did you stand by me
No way
Did you stand by me
No, not at all
Did you stand by me
No way
 





The Clash - dto
 

Clash City Rockers
 

An' I wanna move the town to the clash city rockers

You need a little jump of electrical shockers

You better leave town if you only wanna knock us

Nothing stands the pressure of the clash city rockers

 

You see the rate they come down the escalator

Now listen to the tube train accelerator

Then you realise that you got to have a purpose

Or this place is gonna knock you out sooner or later

 

So don't complain about your useless employment

Jack it in forever tonight

Or shut your mouth and pretend you enjoy it

Think of all the money you've got

 

An' I wanna liquefy everybody gone dry

Or plug into the aerials that poke up in the sky

Or burn down the suburbs with the half-closed eyes

You won't succeed unless you try

 

You owe me a move say the bells of St. Groove

Come on and show me say the bells of Old Bowie

When I am fitter say the bells of Gary Glitter

No one but you and I say the bells of Prince Far-I

No one but you and I say the bells of Prince Far-I

 

An' I wanna move the town to the clash city rockers

You need a little jump of electrical shockers

You better leave town if you only wanna knock us

Nothing stands the pressure of the clash city rockers

Rock rock Clash city rockers

 

 

I'm So Bored With the U.S.A.

 

Yankee soldier

He wanna shoot some skag

He met it in Cambodia

But now he can't afford a bag

 

Yankee dollar talk

To the dictators of the world

In fact it's giving orders

An' they can't afford to miss a word

 

I'm so bored with the U...S...A...

But what can I do?

 

Yankee detectives

Are always on the TV

'Cos killers in America

Work seven days a week

 

Never mind the stars and stripes

Let's print the Watergate Tapes

I'll salute the New Wave

And I hope nobody escapes

 

I'm so bored with the U...S...A...

But what can I do?

 

Move up Starsky

For the C.I.A.

Suck on Kojak

For the USA

 

 

Remote Control
 

Who needs remote control

From the Civic Hall

Push a button

Activate

You gotta work an' you're late

 

It's so grey in London town

With a panda car crawling around

Here it comes

Eleven o'clock

Where can we go now?

 

Can't make a noise

Can't get no gear

Can't make no money

Can't get outta here

 

Big business it don't like you

It don't like the things you do

You got no money

So you got no power

They think you're useless

An' so you are - punk!

 

They had a meeting in Mayfair

They got you down an'

They wanna keep you there

It makes them worried

Their bank accounts

That's all that matters

And you don't count

 

Can't make no progress

Can't get ahead

Can't stop the regress

Don't wanna be dead

 

Look out' those rules and regulations

 

Who needs the Parliament

Sitting making laws all day

They're all fat and old

Queuing for the House of Lords

 

Repression - gonna start on Tuesday

Repression - gonna be a Dalek

Repression - I am a robot

Repression - I obey

 

 

Complete Control
 

They said release 'Remote Control'

But we didn't want it on the label

 

They said, "Fly to Amsterdam"

The people laughed but the press went mad

 

Ooh ooh ooh someone's really smart

Ooh ooh ooh complete control, that's a laugh

 

On the last tour my mates couldn't get in

I'd open up the back door but they'd get run out again

At every hotel we was met by the Law

Come for the party - come to make sure!

 

Ooh ooh ooh have we done something wrong?

Ooh ooh ooh complete control, even over this song

 

They said we'd be artistically free

When we signed that bit of paper

They meant let's make a lotsa mon-ee

An' worry about it later

 

Ooh ooh ooh I'll never understand

Ooh ooh ooh complete control - lemme see your other hand!

 

All over the news spread fast

They're dirty, they're filthy

 

They ain't gonna last!

 

This is Joe Public speaking

I'm controlled in the body, controlled in the mind

 

Total

Control - that means you!

 

 

White Riot
 

White riot - I wanna riot

White riot - a riot of my own

White riot - I wanna riot

White riot - a riot of my own

 

Black people gotta lot a problems

But they don't mind throwing a brick

White people go to school

Where they teach you how to be thick

 

An' everybody's doing

Just what they're told to

An' nobody wants

To go to jail!

 

All the power's in the hands

Of people rich enough to buy it

While we walk the street

Too chicken to even try it

 

Everybody's doing

Just what they're told to

Nobody wants

To go to jail!

 

Are you taking over

or are you taking orders?

Are you going backwards

Or are you going forwards?

 

 

White Man In Hammersmith Palais
 

Midnight to six man

For the first time from Jamaica

Dillinger and Leroy Smart

Delroy Wilson, your cool operator

 

Ken Boothe for UK pop reggae

With backing bands sound systems

And if they've got anything to say

There's many black ears here to listen

 

But it was Four Tops all night with encores from stage right

Charging from the bass knives to the treble

But onstage they ain't got no roots rock rebel

Onstage they ain't got no...roots rock rebel

Dress back jump back this is a bluebeat attack

'Cos it won't get you anywhere

Fooling with your guns

The British Army is waiting out there

An' it weighs fifteen hundred tons

 

White youth, black youth

Better find another solution

Why not phone up Robin Hood

And ask him for some wealth distribution

 

Punk rockers in the UK

They won't notice anyway

They're all too busy fighting

For a good place under the lighting

 

The new groups are not concerned

With what there is to be learned

They got Burton suits, ha you think it's funny

Turning rebellion into money

 

All over people changing their votes

Along with their overcoats

If Adolf Hitler flew in today

They'd send a limousine anyway

 

I'm the all night drug-prowling wolf

Who looks so sick in the sun

I'm the white man in the Palais

Just lookin' for fun

 

I'm only

Looking for fun

 

 

London's Burning
 

London's burning! London's burning!

 

All across the town, all across the night

Everybody's driving with full headlights

Black or white turn it on, face the new religion

Everybody's sitting 'round watching television!

 

London's burning with boredom now

London's burning dial 99999

 

I'm up and down the Westway, in an' out the lights

What a great traffic system - it's so bright

I can't think of a better way to spend the night

Then speeding around underneath the yellow lights

 

London's burning with boredom now

London's burning dial 99999

 

Now I'm in the subway and I'm looking for the flat

This one leads to this block, this one leads to that

The wind howls through the empty blocks looking for a home

I run through the empty stone because I'm all alone

 

London's burning with boredom now...

London's burning dial 99999

 

 

I Fought the Law
 

Breakin' rocks in the hot sun

I fought the law and the law won (twice)

I needed money 'cause I had none

I fought the law and the law won (twice)

 

I left my baby and it feels so bad

Guess my race is run

She's the best girl that I ever had

I fought the law and the law won

I fought the law and the

 

Robbin' people with a six-gun

I fought the law and the law won (twice)

I lost my girl and I lost my fun

I fought the law and the law won (twice)

 

I left my baby and it feels so bad

Guess my race is run

She's the best girl that I ever had

I fought the law and the law won

I fought the law and the

 

I fought the law and the law won (7 times)

I fought the law and the

 

 

Janie Jones
 

He's in love with rock'n'roll woaahh

He's in love with gettin' stoned woaahh

He's in love with Janie Jones

But he don't like his boring job, no...

 

An' he knows what he's got to do

So he knows he's gonna have fun with you

You lucky lady!

An' he knows when the evening comes

When his job is done he'll be over in his car for you

 

An' in the in-tray lots of work

But the boss at the firm always thinks he shirks

But he's just like everyone, he's got a Ford Cortina

That just won't run without fuel

Fill her up, Jacko!

 

An' the invoice it don't quite fit,

There's no payola in his alphabetical file

This time he's gonna really tell the boss

Gonna really let him know exactly how he feels

It's pretty bad!

 

Let them know - how you feel

 

 

Career Opportunities
 

The offered me the office, offered me the shop

They said I'd better take anything they'd got

Do you wanna make tea at the BBC?

Do you wanna be, do you really wanna be a cop?

 

Career opportunities are the ones that never knock

Every job they offer you is to keep you out the dock

Career opportunity, the ones that never knock

 

I hate the army an' I hate the R.A.F.

I don't wanna go fighting in the tropical heat

I hate the civil service rules

And I won't open letter bombs for you

 

Bus driver....ambulance man....ticket inspector

 

They're gonna have to introduce conscription

They're gonna have to take away my prescription

If they wanna get me making toys

If they wanna get me, well, I got no choice

 

Careers

Careers

Careers

 

Ain't never gonna knock

 

 

What's My Name
 

What the hell is wrong with me? I'm not

who I want to be

I tired spot cream an' I tried it all I'm crawling up the wall!

 

What's my name naaaame...naaaame....naaaame....

 

I tried to join a ping-pong club, sign on the door said all full up!

I got nicked, fighting in the road an' the judge didn't even know

 

What's my name

 

Dad go pissed so I got clocked

Couldn't hear the Tannoy so he lost the lot

Offers Mum a bribe through the letter box

Drives you fucking mad

 

What's my name

 

Now I'm round the back of your house at night

Peeping in the window - are you sleeping tight?

I laugh at your locks with my celloid strip

An' you won't know who came

 

What's my name

 

 

Hate and War
 

Hate and war - the only things we got today

 

An' if I close my eyes

They will not go away

You have to deal with it

It is the currency

 

Hate...hate...hate...

 

The hate of a nation

A million miles from home

An' get war from the junkies

Who don't like my form

 

I'm gonna stay in the city

Even when the house fall down

I don't dream of a holiday

When hate an' war come around

 

Hate and war...

 

I have the will to survive

I cheat if I can't win

If someone locks me out

I kick my back in

 

An' if I get aggression

I give it to them two time back

Every day it's just the same

With hate an' war on my back

 

Hate and war - I hate all the English

Hate and war - they're just as bad as wops

Hate and war - I hate all the politeness

Hate and war - I hate all the cops

 

I wanna walk down any street

Looking like a creep

I don't care if I get beat up

By any Kebab Greek

 

 

Police And Thieves
 

Police and thieves in the streets

 

Oh yeah!

Scaring the nation with their guns and ammunition

Police and thieves in the street

Oh yeah!

Fighting the nation with their guns and ammunition

 

From Genesis to Revelation

The next generation will be hear me

From Genesis to Revelation

The next generation will be hear me

 

And all the crowd comes in day by day

No one stop it in anyway

And all the peacemaker turn war officer

Hear what I say

 

Vocal ad lib

 

Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah

Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah

From Genesis oh yeah

Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah

 

Scaring, fighting the nation

Shooting, shooting their guns and ammunition

 

Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah

Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah

Here come, here come, here come

The station is bombed

Get out get out get out you people

If you don't wanna get blown up

 

Vocal ad lib

 

 

Jail Guitar Doors
 

Let me tell you 'bout Wayne and his deals of cocaine

A little more every day

Holding for a friend till the band do well

Then the D.E.A. locked him away

 

Clang clang, go the jail guitar doors

Bang bang, go the boots on the floor

Cry cry, for your lonely mother's son

Clang clang, go the jail guitar doors

 

An' I'll tell you 'bout Pete, didn't want no fame

Gave all his money away

"Well there's something wrong, it'll be good for you, son"

And so they certified him insane

 

And then there's Keith, waiting for trial

Twenty-five thousand bail

If he goes down you won't hear his sound

But his friends carry on anyway

Fuck 'em!

Jail guitar doors

54/46 was my number

Jail guitar doors

Right now someone else has that number

 

 

Garageland
 

Back in the garage with my bullshit detector

Carbon monoxide making sure it's effective

People ringing up making offers for my life

But I just wanna stay in the garage all night

 

We're a garage band

We come from garageland

 

Meanwhile things are hotting up in the West End alright

Contracts in the offices, groups in the night

My bummin' slummin' friends have all got new boots

An' someone just asked me if the group would wear suits

 

I don't wanna hear about what the rich are doing

I don't wanna go to where the rich are going

They think they're so clever, they think they're so right

But the truth is only known by guttersnipes

 

There's twenty-two singers! But one microphone

Back in the garage

There's five guitar players! But one guitar

Back in the garage

Complaints! Complaints! Wot an old bag

Back in the garage

All night

 

 

Cheat
 

I GET VIOLENT WHEN I'M FUCKED UP

I GET SILENT WHEN I'M DRUGGED UP

WANT EXCITEMENT, DON'T GET NONE, I GO WILD

 

I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT

IF YOU PLAY THE GAME YOU GET NOTHING OUT OF IT

FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF TRY BEIN' A GOODY GOODY

 

YOU BETTER CHEAT CHEAT

NO REASON TO PLAY FAIR

CHEAT CHEAT OR DON'T GET ANYWHERE

CHEAT CHEAT IF YOU CAN'T WIN

 

NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING

IT'S BEYOND YOUR CONTROL, AN' FRIDAY NIGHT'S A RUIN

IF YOU WANNA SURVIVE YOU BETTER LEARN HOW TO LIE

 

DON'T USE THE RULES

THEY'RE NOT FOR YOU, THEY'RE FOR THE FOOLS

AND YOU'RE A FOOL IF YOU DON'T KNOW THAT

SO USE THE RULE YOU STUPID FOOL

 

 

Deny
 

DENY

YOU'RE SUCH A LIAR

YOU WON'T KNOW THE TRUTH IF IT HITS YOU IN THE EYE

DENY

YOU'RE SUCH A LIAR

YOU'RE SELLING YOUR NO-NO ALL THE TIME

 

AN' YOU SAID WE WERE GOING OUT

TO THE 100 CLUB

THEN YOU SAID IT AIN'T MY SCENE

BUT THEN YOU TURNED UP ALONE

THEN YOU TURNED UP ALONE

 

THEN YOU SAID YOU'D GIVEN IT UP

GONE AN' KICKED IT IN THE HEAD

YOU SAID YOU AIN'T HAD NONE FOR WEEKS

BUT BABY I SEEN YOUR ARMS

BABY I SEEN YOUR ARMS

 

DO YOU THINK I'M A RAVING IDIOT?

JUST GOT OFF THE BOAT

STEP IN LINE, SIGN THIS FORM - YOU AIN'T GOT A HOPE

BABY AIN'T GOT A HOPE - YOU AIN'T GOT A HOPE

 

WHAT A LIAR - DENY

WHAT A LIAR

 

 

48 Hours
 

FRIDAY OR SATURDAY, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN

SHORT SPACE OF TIME NEEDS A HEAVY SCENE

MONDAY IS COMING LIKE A JAIL ON WHEELS

 

48 HOURS NEEDS 48

48 HOURS NEEDS 48

48 HOURS NEEDS 48

THRILLS

48 THRILLS

 

SO TELL ME AN' I'LL TAKE THE TUBE

YOU KNOW A GIRL, YEAH WELL SHE'S BOUND TO BE RUDE

CAN'T GET NOTHING AT THE PLACES I'VE BEEN

 

I'VE COMBED THIS TOWN FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

I TRY TO GET AROUND BUT MY LEGS ARE BROKEN

EVERY TIME I MISS IT 'COS I AIN'T GOT A TICKET

 

48 HOURS NEEDS 48 THRILLS

KICKING FOR KICKS

 

 

Protex Blue
 

STANDING IN THE BOG OF A WEST END BAR

GUY ON THE RIGHT LEANING OVER TOO FAR

MONEY IN MY POCKET GONNA PUT IT IN THE SLOT

OPEN UP THE PACK SEE WHAT TYPE I GOT

 

I DIDN'T WANT TO HOLD YOU

I DIDN'T WANT TO USE YOU

PROTEX, PROTEX BLUE

ALL WANNA DO

 

IT'S A FAB PROTECTIVE FOR THAT TYPE OF A GIRL

BUT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT SHE USES IT WELL

IT'S THE THERAPEUTIC STRUCTURE I CAN USE AT WILL

BUT I DON'T THINK IT FITS MY B.D. DRILL

 

SITTING IN A CARRIAGE OF A BAKERLOO

EROTICA MY POCKET GOT A PACKET FOR YOU

ADVERT ON THE ESCALATOR ON MY WAY HOME

I DON'T NEED NO SKIN FLICKS, I WANNA BE ALONE

 

I DIDN'T WANT TO HOLD YOU

I DIDN'T WANT TO USE YOU

PROTEX, PROTEX BLUE

ALL I WANNA DO

 

JOHNNY, JOHNNY