Written in 1971 by Richard Thompson, in the days when there were still factories and forges in England. Prophetic stuff.
The time has come for action
Leave your satisfaction
Can’t you hear St. George’s tune
St. George’s tune is calling you on
Freedom was your mother
Fight for one another
Leave the factory, leave the forge
And dance to the new St. George
Don’t believe pretenders
Who say they would defend us
While they flash their teeth and wave
The other hand is being paid
They choke the air and bleed us
These noble men who lead us
Leave the factory, leave the forge
And dance to the new St. George
The fish and fowl are ailing
The farmer’s life is failing
Where are all the backroom boys
You backroom boys won’t save us now
We’re poisoned by the greedy
Who plunder off the needy
Leave the factory, leave the forge
And dance to the new St. George
Thompson was prophetic in his spiritual life, too. He had always been searching for meaning in life, and converted to Islam in 1974. He obviously wasn't inspired by the wishy-washy standards of contermporary Christianity. He's still a Muslim.
Talking of which, read Peter Hitchens views on Islam and many other topics in these two Conservative Home posts, here and here.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
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2 comments:
Happy St George's Day
Tom
Oh Thompson did a Cat Stevens about the same time? And his brother, Chris isn't it, used to play double bass on the Cat's albums (and everyone's, including a live date with Tim Buckley). Richard also played guitar on them if I recall.
The two 'reverting' to Islam at the same time not a coincidence I suspect. He's 'still a Muslim'? Well even if you aren't, is it safe to admit it?
He visited my town a few months ago for the Folkfest. Didn't go alas.
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