Are You Going To Stop Me?

one man's fight
Liner notesI got introduced to Amnesty International as a teenager and bought into the 'this -- writing letters -- is a thing you can do to help someone' idea. I fell out of the habit eventually, but I still believe that torture is bad. I like the callbacks in this.

Gather round, will you come and listen, I fought in the Viet Cong
Now I work in the local prison, I'm in charge of the shock baton
I can torture, I can kill and if you don't stop me, no-one will
Are you going to stop me?

I was a colonel in the British Army, since I retired, life's easier
The arms embargo doesn't bar me from training troops in Indonesia
Train them to torture, train them to kill and if you don't stop me, no-one will
Are you going to stop me?

I'm in the Sao Paulo police, I'm in charge of homelessness
Sweep the vermin from the streets, protect the public from distress
I can murder, I can kill and if you don't stop me, no-one will
Are you going to stop me?

Gather round, will you come and listen, I fought in Vietnam
Now I work in the local prison killing killers for Uncle Sam
I've got a switch that I flick to kill and if you don't stop me, no-one will
Are you going to stop me?

I'm a lieutenant in the Burmese army, I am brave and I am bold
Looking forward to a week on Tuesday, then I'll be 13 years old
I can murder, I can kill and if you don't stop me, no-one will
Are you going to stop me? I hope you will.