Song of a millionaire

Einar Schlereth

SONG OF A MILLIONAIRE

Did you ever hear of a millionaire who lost his job?
Oh, I never did
He continues eating a la carte when all around
people are going to make the file
to get some work
or a piece of rotten bread.

Did you ever hear of a millionaire
who went to jail?
Oh I never did.
Do you know why?
Because he never does the slightest wrong
he always has the right ideas
he always votes for the strongest man
he always chooses the mightiest god
and always thinks of his safety first.

Did you ever hear of a millionaire
who went to war?
Oh I never did.
He is sitting on a secure place
when all around
people are starting to cry
going to die
they don't know why
well it is no lie
that a millionaire
never fails
while you are a flop
out of the mob.

Did you ever hear of a millionaire
who broke his heart?
Oh, I never did
when all around
people are bound
by famine, torture and terror.
And if you run
to claim your rights from the millionaire
he will spit you in your sweaty face
all his disgust with a lot of grace.

But never mind
he is a kind
of a slippery leech
who can't get aware
and can not share
the pains and torments  
of all his victims.

Einar Schlereth
Stockholm 1967

This song was written for black-american Ernest Parham and 1967
performed by him at a famous jazz club in downtown Stockholm.