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The Flutes

from "A Public Thing" (2022) by Jay Gavan

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lyrics

We’re headin’ down to the Attic, weapons in tow
Headin’ down to the Attic, it’s time for the show
Drainin’ outta one swamp, gonna fill another
War is bloody business, it ain’t for your mother
But that ain’t you, get on out here and fight us
I’m talking to you, Athens...come on out here and fight

We’ve been training for this since the 8th century
Our schools and summer camps are extra gory
And when we advance the flutes sweeten our ears
Crimson horse hair ‘neath the points of our spears
We’re lookin’ good, so get on out here and fight us
We’re lookin’ at you, Athens...come on out here and fight

You ask us why we need to terrorize
The Wine Dark Sea that you’ve colonized
Keep using those sarcastic parables
Of “sail-around-city-states” and “deplorables”

You ask us why we need to terrorize
The Hellenistic world you’ve imperialized
All your talents come from gold
It’s time to share that stranglehold

Comin’ down to the Attic, left our slaves back home
To your peninsula to right some wrongs
What they are is not our concern
We’re no Republic! We’re told which way to turn
By the flutes, so come on out...by the flutes…get on out…
By the flutes...come on out here and fight...us.

I don’t want to fight, no I don’t want to fight
I thought war was over! You know....diplomacy? and hindsight?
I don’t want to go, no I don’t want to go
I remember Marathon, Hiroshima, Overlord
I don’t want to run, no I don’t want to run
‘Cause I remember Agincourt, Thermopylae, Verdun
I don’t want to fight

You peace lovers, you tree huggers
Get your sandals in gear
March on up from the rear
Raise your spear and shield up high
To protect you neighbor’s thigh
Your phalanx needs your guts
Ares needs your blood lust
Aim for a similar looking kids
Full of youthful vim and vig
Don’t let them grow up like planted trees
Instead of dying at your knees
It’s time to kill for your polis
Drink some wine for the guilt and for solace
The playwrights romanticize
Neither pacifists nor compromise

I don’t want to fight, no I don’t want to fight
I thought war was over, you know... diplomacy.

credits

from "A Public Thing" (2022), track released February 15, 2022

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Jay Gavan Kalamazoo, Michigan

Jay Gavan is a musician, songwriter and history teacher who occasionally combines all three, as he does on his latest self-produced album, "A Public Thing" (2022)

Release Date:
Feb 15, 2022

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