Enemy Of Empire

This is who I am, here is where I live.

Enemy Of Empire

I am sinner, I am saint, I am philosopher and thief

I’ve come to steal hearts and minds, by questioning belief

As sworn enemy of empire and poet till I die

I just speak the truth, sing my songs, and ask the question Why?

Can man be so blind as not to see the future that is his

When he sends our children off to war and teaches them to kill?

It’s insanity, it’s madness, or is it just God’s will gone wrong?

If I had the answers here my friend, I wouldn’t have a song

But the questions, they remain out there, hanging in the burning air

As the bullets fly and children die; and no one seems to care

I am sinner, I am saint, I am philosopher and thief

I’ve come to steal hearts and minds, by questioning belief

As sworn enemy of empire and poet till I die

I just speak the truth, sing my songs, and ask the question Why?

Must a starving child cry daily for the food they need to live

When we’ve plenty on our tables but we don’t know how to give?

So we throw our coins in buckets, write our cheques and dry our eyes

While bankers count the interest and discount remaining lives

For compassion has no place out here beneath the desert sky

Just the vultures and the victims and the look in one child’s eye

I am sinner, I am saint, I am philosopher and thief

I’ve come to steal hearts and minds, by questioning belief

As sworn enemy of empire and poet till I die

I just speak the truth, sing my songs, and ask the question Why?

© W. Burn 2006