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Picking Up The Pieces

by Robb Johnson

on Metro (2005)

We ride the train to work & read the news The news is bad again, what else is new?
The pensioner who's murdered on page 4
Page six has more bombs in a far-off war.
But then you see the skyline & the river in the sunlight
& every day, it takes your breath away,
& you look at all the faces with their stories and their secrets
Getting through another working day.
& our leaders making speeches,
They're very good at making speeches,
How our soldiers have to be there,
& how we will not surrender,
But you never see them riding on your train.
We ride the train back home & read the news,
There's not much on TV, what else is new?
The beggars hold out hands to catch the night,
The smart hotels and cafes shine so bright.
But then you see the skyline & the bridges with their lamplight,
& even now, it takes your breath away,
& you look at all the faces with their stories and their secrets
Winding down another working day.
& our leaders making speeches...
We ride the train to work & read the news,
You thank your lucky stars it wasn't you,
It wasn't you in Baghdad or Madrid,
Or on the train from King's Cross when the bombs came home.
Picking up the pieces, picking up the pieces,
Picking up the pieces, picking up the pieces,
& our leaders making speeches
How our soldiers have to be there
& how we will not surrender
& you're picking up the pieces
But you never see them riding on your train
When the bombs come home.