The Wasteland Lyrics - Chumbawamba

Said the party to the ad-man 

We'll conjure up a gimmick 

The way to lead an ass 

Is with a carrot and a stick 

Dig down for minorities 

Promise them concessions 

Ride in on their backs 

And then teach them all a lesson 

Unemployment means depression 

You're just victims of the recession 

We can count on their support 

If we can channel their emotions 

Populate the wasteland 

Between leisure and the grave 

Work and pray and place your vote 

And some day you'll be saved 

All these myths come tailor-made 

To suit the company director 

Myths that praise the dignity 

Of cheap, disposable labor 

Two different routes 

To an industrial heaven 

Work for boss and parliament 

And all will be forgiven 

It's the fear of being sacked 

That lets the boss step up the pace 

Because the minute you step out of line 

There's someone took your place 

Populate the wasteland 

Between leisure and the grave 

Work and pray and place your vote 

And some day you'll be saved 

Said the MP to the media 

Can't we juggle this around 

Sprinkle sugar on the dog shit 

And we'll keep the figures down 

Never let the left hand 

See what's in the right 

No-one's any wiser 

And the problem's out of sight 

Take your democratic choice 

Take a scheme or starve 

Job clubs, restart, YTS, CPs, EAS 

Company profits doubled 

Wages chopped in half 

Said the MP to the media 

Can't we juggle this around 

Sprinkle sugar on the dog shit 

And we'll keep the figures down 

Never let the left hand 

See what's in the right 

No-one's any wiser 

And the problem's out of sight 

Take your democratic choice 

Take a scheme or starve 

Job clubs, restart, YTS, CPs, EAS 

Company profits doubled 

Wages chopped in half 

Populate the wasteland 

Between leisure and the grave 

Work and pray and place your vote 

And some day you'll be saved 

Populate the wasteland 

Between leisure and the grave 

Work and pray and place your vote 

And some day you'll be saved 

Offer your life to the one true church 

In the name of the conservative party 

The labor party and the liberal alliance 

The promised land where banks outnumber churches 

And your cars shall be martyrs to the cause 

Capitalism in crisis 

But on the third day it shall rise again 

But on the third day it shall rise