The price of oil

When Billy Bragg released this song before the first bomb was dropped on Baghdad, the scoffing was loud and lusty.




The Price of Oil

Voices on the radio
tell us that we’re going to war
those brave men and women in uniform
they want to know what they’re fighting for.

The generals want to hear the end game
the allies won’t approve the plan
but the oil men in the white house
they just don’t give a damn.

It’s all about the price of oil
it’s all about the price of oil
don’t give me no shit
about blood, sweat, tears and toil
it’s all about the price of oil

Now I ain’t no fan of Saddam Hussein
oh, please don’t get me wrong
if it’s freeing the Iraqi people you’re after
then why have we waited so long.

Why didn’t we sort this out last time
was he less evil than he is now
the stock market holds the answer
to why him, why here, why now.

Saddam killed his own people
just like general Pinochet
and once upon a time both these evil men
were supported by the U.S.A.

And whisper it, even Bin Laden
once drank from America’s cup
just like that election down in Florida
this shit doesn’t all add up.

It’s all about the price of oil
‘cause it’s all about the price of oil
don’t give me no shit
about blood, sweat, tears and toil
it’s all about the price of oil.

(Music and lyrics by Billy Bragg, 2002.)

Now even the skeptics are mentioning US imperialism.