SONGS:
-- It's Going Down Slow --
released 1971 / re-written & re-recorded 2003


Lyrics: 1971

Go tell the sergeant-major
To get that thing repaired
They're losing their pawns in Asia
There's slaughter in every square
Oh --
It's going down slow
It's going down slow

Go get the fire department
To bring that hose along
And them and the schoolboy bandits
Can water each other's lawn
Oh --
It's going down slow
It's going down slow

Everybody seems to be leaving
Better say your travelling prayers
It don't matter how you get it
It's where do you go from there
Oh --
It's going down slow
It's going down slow
It's going down slow
It's going down slow

God, damn the hands of glory
That hold the bloody firebrand high
Close the book and end the story
Of how so many men have died
Let the world retain in memory
That mighty tongues tell mighty lies
And if mankind must have an enemy
Let it be his warlike pride
Let it be his warlike pride
Lyrics: 2003

Go tell the sergeant-major
To get that thing repaired
The lunatics rule in the asylum
Chaos is in the air
Oh oh oh
It's going down slow
It's going down slow

They're grinding the marrow of history
The ground underneath us quakes
The board of directors is looting
What's left of the ship of state
Oh oh oh
It's going down slow
It's going down slow

Everybody seems to be leaving
Better say your travelling prayers
It don't matter how you get it
It's where do you go from there
Oh oh oh
It's going down slow
It's going down slow
It's going down slow
It's going down slow

God, damn the hands of glory
That hold the bloody firebrand high
Close the book and end the story
Of how so many men have died
Let the world retain in memory
That mighty tongues tell mighty lies
And if mankind must have an enemy
Let it be his warlike pride
Let it be his warlike pride
Found on:

Sunwheel Dance (1971)

Mummy Dust (1981) [compilation album]

Waiting For A Miracle, Singles 1970-1987 (1987) [compilation album]

War Child Peace (2003) [compilation album]




Editor's note: - The 2003 version of this song was re-written and re-recorded for the War Child Peace album, www.warchild.org, which will be available 15 April 2003, and also includes music from Avril Lavigne, Celine Dion, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, and Moby.


Known comments by Bruce Cockburn about this song, by date:


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