Ballade Of The Brave New World by McGrath of Harlow

McGrath's Comments: (The title of this thread, "The Brave New World You Ordered's Here,") . . . struck me as well suited for a ballade, a verse form associated with such exponents as Francois Villon and GK Chesterton. For some strange reason out of vogue these days. Ballades can be songs – Georges Brassens has shown how.

We'd seen Godzilla and the rest
And King Kong on his perch on high
And running crowds - but who'd have guessed?
It came out of a clear blue sky.
All on a bright September day
The Towers fell in the morning air
Our silver screen had shown the way -
That Brave New World we ordered's here.

The worst of days, and yet the best,
As thousands of her children die
The broken city stands the test
Our hearts went out to hear the cry.
And how could that be thrown away?
But politics is built on fear
By hollow men with feet of clay -
That Brave New World we ordered's here.

And Patriots are duly blessed
To do whatever they decide
No opportunity is missed
To make a killing on the sly.
For freedom has its price, they say
And freedom's friends are so sincere,
There's money in it anyway -
That Brave New World we ordered's here.

Prince Osman, in some shadowed cave
Your victory it seems is near,
Sweet Liberty steps to her grave -
That Brave New World you ordered's here

Copyright © Kevin McGrath 2003