The Lyrics to Clampdown

Have you ever read the lyrics to The Clash song, Clampdown?

A song I've bopped along to hundreds of times, and I never read the lyrics. I had always assumed the song was about one thing, but it's actually about something else.

Later on, I'll tell the story about when and why the words gave me chills. But for now, here's Clampdown by The Clash:

The kingdom is ransacked, the jewels all taken back and the chopper descends They're hidden in the back, with a message on a half-baked tape with the spool going round Saying I'm back here in this place and I could cry and there's smoke you could click on

What are we going to do now?

Taking off his turban, they said, is this man a Jew? 'Cause working for the clampdown They put up a poster saying we earn more than you When we're working for the clampdown

We will teach our twisted speech To the young believers We will train our blue-eyed men To be young believers

The judge said five to ten but I say double that again I'm not working for the clampdown No man born with a living soul Can be working for the clampdown

Kick over the wall 'cause government's to fall How can you refuse it? Let fury have the hour, anger can be power Do you know that you can use it?

The voices in your head are calling Stop wasting your time, there's nothing coming Only a fool would think someone could save you

The men at the factory are old and cunning You don't owe nothing, so boy, get running It's the best years of your life they want to steal

But you grow up and you calm down And you're working for the clampdown You start wearing the blue and brown And you're working for the clampdown

So you got someone to boss around It makes you feel big now You drift until you brutalize Doesn't make you first kill now

In these days of evil presidentes Working for the clampdown But lately one or two has fully paid their due For working for the clampdown

Hah, get along, get along Working for the clampdown Hah, get along, get along Working for the clampdown

Yeah, I'm working hard in Harrisburg Working hard in Petersburg Working for the clampdown Working for the clampdown

Hah, get along, get along

Begging to be melted down Get along, get along Work Work Work And I give away no secrets Work Work More work More work Work Work Work Work