the best that we can do

high on olympus through dark tinted panes

we hear the echo of shouted complaints

naïve utopians, those hippies and louts

we'll raise the barricades again and keep them out of our way

it may not look good, but it's the best that we can do

we advise you to stay home and keep quiet

if you want trouble we can lay on a riot

yes we'll sponsor each stone that is hurled

roll the cameras: we'll soon show the world who's in charge

we are not proud, but it's the best that we can do

for the world is a hostile place

and its rulers must be tough

and we promise to try to care

isn't that enough?

some win, some lose - that's just how it goes

it's all explained here in columns and rows

we're here to help; remember, we don't make the rules

we just serve the market, make the most of the tools that we have

and so you see this is the best that we can do

we planned for peace when we met in the snow

we thought united we'd prosper and grow

but it's been sixty long years since bretton woods

have those good intentions achieved as little good as you say?

well, we tried to do the best that we could do

for the world is a hostile place

and its rulers must be tough

and we promise to try to care

isn't that enough?

so nations buckle trying to service their debt

while their people struggle for water and bread

so epidemics are encouraged to spread

we'll nurse the profits, and as for the dead, bring 'em out

sometimes murder is the best that we can do

from alaska to the zambian planes

in driest desert and under tropical rains

from new york city to tokyo, please

up in the boardrooms and down in the streets, sing it loud:

can this really be the best that we can do?

written by tom yates 22 august 2002

tom yates – vocals, guitar, cellos, bass
steve parker – drums, percussion