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Grazie Governo

by The Bar Stool Preachers

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1.
You can threaten, we ain’t scared. Laugh about it with your peers, It won’t make a single bit of difference, Dishing out your power, From your ivory towers, In Washington, Berlin or London. But there’s a place I know just outside Bow, Where there are children screaming. Mum and Dad are broke and beat, Trying to make ends meet, Just to give their lives a little bit of meaning. I’ve got a box of matches, let’s show them what we mean. We’ll march together, time to make a scene. Let’s chop down, all the lies they built, It’s fuel for our fire, let’s test our own free will. We’ll warm ourselves as they burn. We’ll laugh as they run. The times they’ve put us through can’t be undone, Everybody time to stand once more, This is the fight you were waiting for. This ain’t another sentimental love song, You’ve kept the working man down for far too long. The writing’s on the wall... Do you see what he meant, When he wrote, with a sneer; Thank you government. So come on now my friend, dance with me until the end, The world wants to stand between us. This time their empire dies, it’s in decline, And I can hear it crumble. They tread on me and you like we knew they’d do, But they tread on those that can’t fight back too. And I’ve got values that I can’t ignore. This is the fight I was born for. This ain’t another sentimental love song, You’ve kept the working man down for far too long. The writing’s on the wall… Do you see what he meant… When he wrote, with a sneer; Thank you government.
2.
He was a hell of a drinker, not much of a boyfriend. In between jobs, it was kind of a trend. She was easy on the eye, so hard on the heart. She had her bags packed; she’d been running from the start. There was something about her, he couldn’t let the chance pass. In a heartbeat that felt like an age, he gathered courage to ask. A million heartbeats later they’re sat inside some pub, She doesn’t know why she likes him, she says it must be love. He picks himself up off the mirror and dusts himself down again, Without a warning, he says, I don’t know what you ever saw in me darling. With all the broken hearts you’ll never be alone, These feelings that last for years aren’t yet done. With all the broken hearts you’ll never be alone, These feelings that last for years aren’t yet done. You’ve kinda gotta wonder, how he stays wasted every night, She says he makes her feel safe, so I guess that’s all alright? But safe didn’t cut it, when the past knocked at her door, With a tear and her packed bag, she was running some more. She caught a reflection of the pain as a bus passes by. She says to herself, not this time. She flies back home, takes his head in her hands and says to his face; I fucking love you. I don’t get it, coz I don’t know what you ever saw in me darling. Coz with all the broken hearts you’ll never be alone, These feelings that last for years, aren’t yet done. Coz with all the broken hearts you’ll never be alone, These feelings that last for years, aren’t yet done.
3.
Warchief 02:36
I’m a warchief not a politician, I’ll lead you into battle but can’t teach you how to run. I’m a warchief never been a teacher, So don’t look at me for what you should’ve done. The time for new promises has passed, You wont find no answers at the bottom of a glass. For one last time, Put your voice with mine… In the dark. I’m a warchief, I wish you didn’t need me, If you were stronger I wouldn’t need to be. Has your effort ever been enough? Or will we find you hiding when things get tough? I’d give you my hand but you’d squeeze too tight, I tried all I know so will you fight? I know that you find these things so hard to take, But I’ve tried my best to show you the way. The time for new promises has passed, You can’t waste your life at the bottom of a glass. So for one last time, Put your voice with mine, And we could see, Just how good this could be. We could see, We might finally be free, We can see, How good this all could be. I’m a warchief not a politician. I’d give you my hand but you’d squeeze too tight, I tried all I know, will you fight? I know that you find my dreams so hard to take, I’ve tried my best to show you the way.
4.
I found my things, Exactly where they were always going to be. In neat piles of black bags on the street, I took this as a sign to move my feet. In my defence I said: You’re always telling me I should do what’s right, But I can‘t face the morning light, Coz I’ve got demons chasing me down. She said: Let’s do that old two-step, quick sharp. Where we break each other’s heart, On this same worn battleground. Rewind, Back to the bar, another night, Where we left in silent, silent fight. It’s like you’re worlds away from me. Fast forward, 6 weeks, 3 months, to half a year. I still got your voice in my ear. It’s keeping me on my knees. Have you ever? Have, have you ever? Have you ever, been done by love before. Have you ever? Have, have you ever? Have you ever, wanted to say? I choose my friends over you. I won’t cry. I’ve cried to empty bars too many times. I’ve been strung out, battered, alone and out of my mind. But with my mates here by my side, I reckon I’ll find me. Have you ever? Have, have you ever? Have you ever, been done by love before. Have you ever? Have, have you ever? Have you ever, wanted to say? I choose my friends over you.
5.
DLTDHYOTWO 04:08
You fight for power in the new world order; you’re living in the past. The modern world is too big for you; you won’t last. Take your hateful ideologies; we’ve heard it all before. When we cut you back, we can tell there’s only venom at your core. If you see gender, race or sexuality, as a threat, You should look inside, you’ve probably got something to hide, it’s the truth I bet. If colour’s your priority, you’re living in the dark. Screw your backwards agenda, this is coming from the heart. We won’t play your games. We won’t fight in your wars. The system isn’t working, It don’t stand for you and me, Not any more. We’ve never had a better chance to fight for real unity, This is your call to arms, to fight, to fight, to fight to stay free. Here comes the start of a new generation, we don’t back down. We champion equality. We stand behind this sound. We won’t play your games, We won’t fight in your wars, Your system is broken, It don’t stand for you and me, Not any more. The modern world’s in disarray. Right and left can’t seem to communicate. Here we are in the no mans land. With neither side able to understand. We won’t be forced to step in line. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, We’ve found our voice, and it’s time to shout. Unity is what we need. We’ll make it happen. We’ll scream until our lungs bleed. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
6.
2:22 04:56
I swam through the middle of this silence, To see if you were still stood at the shore, Well I struggle more and more. I fumbled in this darkness, To try and find a light, But I cant find you no matter how hard I try. In for a penny, don’t make me in for a pound, Stop looking at me like you got me all worked out. In for a penny, don’t make me in for pound, Stop looking at me like you got me all worked out. Once more into that darkness, My old friend… So long. Let’s see if we still belong. I’d rather try and fail to find you, Than just admit that we were wrong, We struggled far too long. In for a penny, don’t make me in for a pound, Stop looking at me like you got me all worked out. In for a penny, don’t make me in for pound, Stop looking at me like you got me all worked out. Sunk in pool, of this laptop light. The film still plays, it twists a knife. The moment hits the same, same time every day. 2:22. I thought you’d stay. I swam through the middle of this silence, To see if you were still stood at the shore, Well I struggle more and more. I fumbled in this darkness, To try and find my light, But I can’t find you no matter how hard I try. In for a penny, don’t make me in for a pound, So stop looking at me like you got me all worked out. In for a penny, don’t make me in for pound, So stop looking at me like you got me all worked out. Bask in the pool, of this laptop light. The film still plays, it twists a knife. The moment hits the same, same time every day. 2:22. I thought you’d stay.
7.
Drink 03:07
The atmosphere it changes, When you are in the room, There is no oxygen, No oxygen to breathe. And all my senses, Are going through the roof. Take a minute, pour yourself a drink, The more you have the more confidently you think. And you’ll play it cool and you will say the right thing, But the truth is you do not know where to begin. I know, that you’re beautiful, Too beautiful for the likes of me. Well I know, yes I know, that you’re beautiful, Too beautiful for the likes of me. Dutch courage left me, A coward and a fool. Is it the drink? My solution in a bottle. Back out on the street again, Was I invisible? Take a minute to pour yourself a drink, The more you have, the more confidently you think. And you’ll play it cool, say the right thing, But the truth is you do not know where to begin. I know, that you’re beautiful, Too beautiful for the likes of me. Well I know, I know, that you’re beautiful, Too beautiful for me.
8.
Drive 03:26
I’ve got these debts to pay, Leave the city in a stolen car, I’ve got blood on my hands, Warriors coming out to play. I can’t see anything now in my back mirror. I got away, I drove away so far, I lost my teens to the fashion queens, So I drive like Steve McQueen. What choice did I have? I was running on empty in the land of plenty. They seem to help everybody but me. So I saw an opportunity and I took it, Now I’m out the door like a speeding bullet. To a place, a place they’ll never see. I can’t see anything now in my back mirror. I drove away, I got away so far. I lost my teens to the fashion queens, So I drive like Steve McQueen. Looks like I got away, Packed all I need, head for the sun. No time for fond farewells, Start my life on the run. I can’t see anything now in my back mirror, I got away, I drove away so far, I lost my teens to the fashion queens, So now I drive like Steve McQueen.
9.
Cry Wolf 03:54
You know the type, who cheat their way out of bad situations, Abuse friends for favours, lie to relations. When the danger comes a-knocking, it comes knocking loud. You’ll look for help, and there’ll be no-one left about. You’re a product of a shit situation, Another soul in a broken nation. And either way, you look like burning it down. I believed you, first time I heard, That in this messed up 21st century world, We have no choice, but to burn it down. In the belly of the beast, in this whole damned society, Is where you’re stuck right now, forever you will be. You wanted our attention, you’ve got it in full force. Isolated from the help you need through being false. You’re a product of a shit situation, Another soul in a broken nation. Either way, you look like burning it down. So I believed you the first time I heard, That in this messed up 21st century world, We have no choice, but to burn it down. I heard you whine and you cried until nothing was left, Shouting and screaming you howled your last breath, Fate came to claim you, to settle your debts. The final conclusion that played out… was death. You cried wolf. I can see you now. In a run down pub poncing fags off the regulars. Shorting on your gifts, But got a 50 pound habit, haven’t you kid? Some twisted fairytale, I feel sorry for the mugs still listen to your siren song. Don’t get me wrong, It’s just I crashed before, and you carried on.
10.
I walked your city head in hands, don’t tell me that you understand. Here under this lamppost I’ll say goodbye and I’ll make my final stand. I’m seeing double, but I’m still not seeing a way to be a better man. Why do I feel so small, when I still don’t know where the fuck I stand? I raced through Berlin to see your face again. How this is going I can never tell. I raced through Berlin to see your face again. And in that moment I had tripped and fell. I’m back at our bar, with my head in my hands and my whisky on my lap. Not sure how I feel, but I’m pretty sure there’s no going back. So I walked real slow, hoping you might chase me down the road. Quick look over my shoulder had confirmed you’d disappeared back home. I took a Polaroid picture, but I left the fucking cap on. Wanted to remember you to try and make something happen. Now there’s a small black square I keep in my pocket. And I still see your smile whenever I, whenever I, take it out. I clung to you like a plastic bag, on a fence, in the wind. Like it could ever change a goddamn thing. I wrote you 15 love songs, baby, they’re songs that I can’t sing. Sat staring at my phone, willing it to ring. I raced through Berlin to see your face again. How this is going I can never tell. I raced through Berlin to see your face again. And in that moment I had tripped and fell.
11.
Since You 04:55
I sat there listened to the beeps become one note; it was time for me to go. You were like my life support, now I’m on my own. So pass the gaffer tape, I’ll patch up my ripped-up heart. I’ve run out of excuses, and I’m bleeding out. These ain’t the streets I used to know, Love don’t come here no more. Where’s my innocence gone? It’s been replaced by a new set of scars. This ain’t the girl I used to know, She don’t come here no more, Where’s my innocence gone? It’s been replaced by a new set of scars. This cold turkey’s giving me dry mouth, It’s not working, and I want out. I’ve not slept a night through… Since you. The only thing worse than saying I love you, Is if you say it and she doesn’t care. She’ll watch your name appear on her screen, And pretend that it ain’t there. These ain’t the streets I used to know, Love don’t come here no more. Where’s my innocence gone? It’s been replaced by a new set of scars. This ain’t the girl I used to know, She don’t come here no more, Where’s my innocence gone? It’s been replaced by a new set of scars. So if this is love, every time, It never gets easier, it messes with my mind. And if this is love, then kid I’m in too deep. When I can’t tell up from down, the top from the bottom, or my head from my feet. If this is love, should it hurt this much? Should it feel like I’m losing you all the time, Or like we’re constantly out of touch? And if this is love, should it be this tough? Would you like a quick game of two-hand touch… Or would you like it a little bit rough? The hardest thing I ever did was not send you your song, I knew you’d love it, but it would be wrong. Coz we grow old so fast, we reckon we’re wise so young. Lessons learned, bridges burned, the situation has changed, we still haven’t grown. It’s time for me to go. These ain’t the streets I used to know, Love don’t come here no more. Where’s my innocence gone? It’s been replaced by a new set of scars and, This ain’t the girl I used to know, She don’t come here no more, Where’s my innocence gone? It’s been replaced by a new set of scars.
12.
Force Fed 02:31
Treacherous waters make you gamble with life, And your judgment waits there. Patterns emerge, from beneath the surface, Something’s coming up for air. So many people can’t be wrong, Read the signs, take notice. Right now it feels like the dark before the dawn, But a new order arises. There’ll be nowhere to run, There’ll be nowhere to hide, No place to call your home, There’ll be nowhere to run, There’ll be nowhere to hide, We’ll catch up with you before this is done. It’s one step forwards, two steps back, For the people in charge today. They threaten you with a barrel of a gun, I say take your aim. Now’s the time, to change the track, To change what’s being said. Coz I don’t wanna live in a world no more, Being force fed. Hear the sounds of lives being broken, As they shatter just like glass. The prophecies they told you and me, Were just a farce. Law and order can’t stand, When the rules don’t apply to all. Watch the lies spill out, Revealing criminals. It’s one step forwards, two steps back, For the people in charge today. The threaten you with a barrel of a gun, I say take your aim. It’s the false representation, of your fellow man, They’ll take away your liberty, sell it on to other hands, They’ll strip away your dignity, strip you of your rights, And leave you feeling empty, with fear behind your eyes. And it’s one step forwards, two steps back, For the people in charge today. The threaten you with a barrel of a gun, But I say take your aim. Coz now’s the time, to change the track, To change what’s being said, Coz I don’t wanna live in a world no more, I don’t wanna live in a world no more, No, I don’t wanna live in a world no more, Being force fed.
13.
Here upon my high horse, Well I try to understand, Here on top my pedestal, Where you stood me here I stand. Up on top of cloud 9, Well I reach out for you, Former discretions and mistakes, I’ve paid my dues. Sometimes it feels, like your head is going to burst. Sometimes you can’t get your mind off the worst. Pale horses, ain’t no surprise to my eyes. Bad signs, I’ve seen the dark wings fly, Here upon my high horse, I try to understand, Here atop my pedestal, Where you stood me I’m still standing. Sometimes it feels like your head is going to burst. Sometimes you need a helping hand to get your mind off the worst. Paradise ain’t lost, Paradise ain’t ruined, It ain’t fallen to ruins. Paradise ain’t lost, Paradise ain’t ruined, Paradise ain’t fallen to ruins. Here upon my high horse, Well I try to understand.

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released August 3, 2018

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The Bar Stool Preachers Brighton, UK

The Bar Stool Preachers' experiences have allowed them to create an album that is the perfect blend of intelligent punk anthems and poignant, unsentimental love songs, both combined with the most infectious music you’ll hear this decade. “Grazie Governo” (Italian for “Thank You Government”) exemplifies this, as the tongue-in-cheek title is the first indication that they're wise beyond their years. ... more

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