"Smile" lyrics - PETER HAMMILL

The jokes are everywhere,
The secret deal's complete -
Money talks, some good advice,
The politicians run like clockwork mice,
All fits the masterplan.

A database on the telephone
And cable sunshine floods your home -
So, times are good?
Fat cats get fatter day by day,
Those who sit it out will make their way,
So things can't be that bad.

Ooh, a smile has set upon this land,
Ooh, a selfish grin of ignorance;
Ooh, you simply have to play the game.
The joke's on us:
This is more and more ridiculous.

Everything's great,
Objectivity taboo;
Self-satisfaction pumping up
Minor achievements to cover up
All the failures and mistakes
And if you don't smile along
You're a public enemy, you don't belong...
The black lists are in the mail.
There isn't any room for doubt,
We'll all be equal when we share it out
But outsiders will get nothing.

Ooh, a smile has set upon this land,
Ooh, a rictus grin of ignorance;
Ooh, you simply have to play the game.
The joke's on us:
This is more and more ridiculous.