Work, Work, Work But That’s The Way It Is….

A bit late to wish you all a good holiday since MayDay is now relegated to yesterday, but hey, a happy holiday anyway! Two things I need to share with you:

1. MayDay used to be a day of protest for workers all around the world. A day when they put their work tools down and go on a march, a strike, grinding the “system” to a halt, at least for one day, a day of action, where grievances highlighted, injustices challenged and workers rights and pride celebrated.

But what we see nowadays is a MayDay hijacked, de-fanged and neutralised. It’s now a holiday. where the workers pacified, enjoying a day off at the malls, buying up what they don’t really need or get stupefied with the latest Hollywood blockbusters and fattened popcorns.

I don’t expect that info will change anything for any of us, but the next time MayDay comes, I hope you’ll feel be as miserable as I did.

2. Now, here’s a song I’ve enjoyed for most parts of this decade, a rare punk rock ditty which rings so true, day in and day out, as we negotiate the bends trying keep our heads above the noxious fumes and dirt.

THE WAY IT IS
written & sung by Jim Cherry with Zero Down

My father told me “Son, it’s OK to have ideals,
but beliefs against your government well that won’t pay your bills.
You can raise your fists and publicly resist
but in the end corruption still exists

And no protest song will ever change the world
When everybody does exactly as they’re told
In the end every man works for what is his
You can fight the world, but that’s just how it is”

Your words are not meaningless to me,
And I feel their honesty but it’s my life I gotta figure out for me
It’s what I’ve always done not what I have become
and I know the consequences that’ll come

And if I never reach the world or speak to people’s souls
it’s a passion that won’t die as I grow old.
It’s what I choose to do
it may not work for you but to myself I know I must be true

“And no protest song will ever change the world
When everybody does exactly as they’re told
In the end every man works for what is his
You can fight the world, but that’s just how it is”

And I am not ashamed to stand right where I’ve stood.
My beliefs they are unchanged because I believe they should.
And I’ll measure my success one word at a time.
If the truth is spoken will I stand the test of time.

note: I wish Jim Cherry is still around to serenade us his wisdom, but the good die young as always. If you’re so inclined, do hunt down ZERO DOWN’s one and only album, With a Lifetime to Pay (2001, Fat Wreck).

Jim Cherry | Zero Down