Ballad Lyrics - New Model Army

When they look back at us and they write down their history 

What will they say about our generation? 

We're the ones who knew everything and still we did nothing 

Harvested everything, planted nothing. 

Well we live pretty well in the wake of the goldrush 

Floating in comfort on waves of our apathy 

Quietly gnawing away at Her body 

Until we mortgage the future, bury our children 

Storehouses full with the fruits we've been given 

We send off the scrag-ends to suckle the starving 

But still we can't feed this strange hunger inside 

Greedy, restless and unsatisfied. 

I was never much one for the great "Big Bang" theory 

Going out in a blaze of suicidal glory 

Not foolish and brave, these leaders of ours 

Just stupid and petty, unworthy of power; 

Just a little leak here and a small error there 

Another square mile poisoned forever 

A series of sad and pathetic little fizzles 

And out go the lights, never to return. 

The affair it is over, the passion is dead 

She stares at us now with ice in Her eyes 

But we turn away from these bitter reproaches 

And take up distractions to forget what we're doing 

I stand on these hills and I watch Her at night 

A thousands square miles, a million orange lights 

Wounded and scarred, She lies silent in pain 

Raped and betrayed in the cold acid rain 

And I wish and I wish 

We could start over again 

Yes I wish and I wish 

We could win back Her love once again