Kill the Messenger - John Wesley Harding

The messenger came with bad news from the front

Said «The soldiers are starving and their swords are all blunt

They need a show of support or some futile sign

That’s what they told me to tell you, not even the words are mine…»

The messenger came with bad news from the war

Said «The fine young men forgot who they were fighting for

They don’t wanna be stars on your TV screen

That’s the general feeling, please don’t blame it on me»

And the people said «One and one is two

There’s nothing left for us to do

But since we can blame it all on you

We will kill the messenger»

The messenger came with bad news from the town

«The phone-lines are on strike and the doormen are all down

They’ve turned your den of thieves into a temple

They need someone of stature to set them an example»

And the people said «Two and two is four

Don’t tell us anymore

We all know the score

We should kill the messenger»

Someone brought the news to the messenger’s folks

He said «Your son’s been killed two times»

They said «Is that a joke?»

He said «No

He was the victim of ignorant minds

I hate to bring such bad news, please don’t think me unkind»

And the family said «One and one is two

There’s nothing left for us to do

But since you’re here and we can blame it on you

We will kill the messenger

So if you want to send a message…»