They're Taking It Away

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THEY'RE TAKING IT AWAY, by Ian Robb (mp3 here) (slightly tweaked for use in USA)

Chorus: Oh, they're taking it away, yes they're taking it away They are taking all the good things you can hear the people say And they'll take it all tomorrow if they don't take it today From the poor and sick and helpless, they are taking it away.

Oh our government's elected in the democratic way A-whining at the cost of all the things they have to pay And the bully-boys on Wall Street, you can hear the bastards say, "To hell with paying taxes, pull the safety-net away!"

If you're down upon your luck and need to keep the wolf at bay Just don't rely on welfare or the dole to pay your way For the rich, they have decided not another cent to pay You can whistle for your supper for they've taken it away

If you're native, black, or Asian, if you're feminist or gay If you're just a little different from the most of us today If you want to make your point or if you want to have your way You can spit into the wind for they have taken it away

If you're battered by your husband and you need a place to stay You'd best get down upon your knees and quickly learn to pray For the women's centre's phone was disconnected yesterday And there's no-one left to talk to, now they've taken it away

If it's ever your misfortune in a hospital to stay You'd best not be impatient for a bed on which to lay For your health ain't worth the taxes that the healthy have to pay And the beds were too expensive, so they've taken them away

Oh there's those that have and those that don't and those that are okay And there's those who understand that fairness is the only way But there's those that are so comfortable they look the other way And they vote for all the villains who would take it all away