Britain 1984 (Two Nations)

Trains roll into London Bridge,
Britain goes to work.
Commuters with their Daily Mail
and no sense of guilt.
Oxford Street is bustling,
school children are on holiday,
squandering their parents' savings.
But the pits stand idle.
The newcomer at the office
said he saw it on ITV.
Violence on the picket line
"they want bloody shooting".
And he's doing plenty of overtime,
to help pay the mortgage
and buy the kids a computer.
Whilst the pits stand idle.
The wine bar is overflowing.
It's lunchtime in the City
affluence is in abundance.
The telephonist books her holiday,
she's heading for the Algarve,
"simply everyone goes to Spain".
She did. Last year!
Still the pits stand idle.
The weatherman said "rain clouds"
across Scotland and Northern Ireland,
in the north; mainly cloudy.
But the south should enjoy some sun.
And another health centre opens,
spa, jaccuzi, sun beds,
for anyone who can afford it.
Whilst the pits remain idle.
Meanwhile in the colliery town
youngsters are baffled,
their pet rabbit escaped.
And tonight it's 'chicken' for dinner.
Mum bites her bottom lip,
or, is it her stiff British upper lip,
Dad's away picketing.
And the pits stand idle.


Capability Red         1984