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I wrote this song in the style of the typical sixties protest song so popular when I first started attending Ayr folk club around 1967. Like all other protest songs the people who take the time to listen to its message will probably already be converts. You will see from the lyrics that I am not too enamoured with Tony Blair’s “New Labour”.
You say you’ll see us alright, you’ll look after one and all
You’ll always help us to our feet, you’ll protect us when we fall
Yes all will have the right to work, you’ll always heed our call
Oh I know, yes I know, yes I know
You’ll give money to the hospital, give money to the school
We’ll be given back our self respect, not spoken to like fools
You’ll be open with the people, you’ll abide the people’s rules
Oh I know, yes I know, yes I know
No need to sleep in doorways, no need for begging bowls
No dejected lonely rejects hanging round amusement halls
Care for those with voices in their heads, who often talk to walls
Oh I know, yes I know, yes I know
And all of the politicians will be clean as clean can be
There’ll be no room for corruption, there’ll be no place left for sleaze
No need for youths to joy ride, for our streets will be crime free
Oh I know, yes I know, yes I know
You’ll make sure the single mither, has the right tae earn a wage
You’ll review the Welfare state, you’ll help the country come of age
As we approach the year 2000, we can turn a clean fresh page
Oh I know, yes I know, yes I know
But now you hold the reins of power, I find it rather strange
There’s little said about the Unions, and most everything seems the same
Yes you promised all a fair wage, yes you promised things would change
Oh I know, yes I know, yes I know
You say it’s not your fault that things were left in disarray
You inherited the problems, and they’re someone elses blame
So you carry on with their policies, and everything stays the same
Oh I know, yes I know, yes I know