Lyrics:Books Are Burning

by XTC

Books are burning In the main square, and I saw there The fire eating the text Books are burning In the still air And you know where they burn books People are next I believe the printed word should be forgiven Doesn't matter what it said Wisdom hotline from the dead back to the living Key to the larder for your heart and your head Books are burning In our own town, watch us turn 'round And cast our glances elsewhere Books are burning In the playground Smell of burnt book is not unlike human hair I believe the printed word is more than sacred Beyond the gauge of good or bad The human right to let your soul fly free and naked Above the violence of the fearful and sad The church of matches Anoints in ignorance with gasoline The church of matches Grows fat by breathing in the smoke of dreams It's quite obscene Books are burning More each day now, and I pray now You boys will tire of these games Books are burning I hope somehow, this will allow A phoenix up from the flames