Written as a challenge at last week's Gleanings Songwriting w'shop when my students gave me four random words to include in a song: Best, Thought, Stayed, Lives.

Angel Goes To Hell

An Angel goes to Hell

We saw them chase the immigrant; we thought it wasn't right,
But clearly anything we said would end up in a fight.
So the words were left unspoken, they stayed only in our minds.
We knew that it was for the best, and went on with our lives.
What use is freedom
If freedom's not for all?
For every persecuted man
A free one takes a fall.

We heard them chant the slogans; we saw them steal the flag,
We saw the raised arm salute, but didn't lose our rag.
So the words were left unspoken, they stayed only in our minds.
We knew that it was for the best, and went on with our lives.
What use is justice
If justice's just a name?
For every persecuted man
A just one dies of shame.

We read their manifestos proclaiming evil aims,
Saw petrol pour through letterbox but others felt the flames.
So the words were left unspoken, they stayed only in our minds.
We knew that it was for the best, and went on with our lives.
What use is courage
With cowards left to rule?
For every persecuted man
A brave one's made a fool.

But victims now are rising; the hunter's now the prey
And we, who kept our peace too long, may come to rue the day
For the words were left unspoken, they stayed only in our minds.
Like sheep we followed all the rest, to live our sheepish lives.
What use is Heaven
When devils ring the bell?
For every persecuted man
An Angel goes to Hell.
(George Papavgeris 19th June 2011)