Cockburn, Bruce - Call It Democracy Lyrics

PURE 100 PROOF TRUTH

I dedicate this to KKKalifornia/CCPalifornia and the demoKKKRATZI Party for which it stands.

Democracy is very violent and very bias by news media 1989 even and now 2019.

You don't ever fight with someone named Bruce Cockburn.... You'll lose everytime.

Hard to believe a video like this used to play on Much Music in prime time, compared to today's meaningless garbage anyways.

Great lyric, Bruce's rage at its most eloquent. But that hairstyle - what were you thinking???

An unheralded tribune of the people.

IMF. Dirty MF. Well put Bruce

Thank you! Bruce! your poems play in my universe every day!

That's some earring! And one his best songs.

Someone should do a punk cover of this song. I can imagine John Lydon screaming "IMF, dirty MFs".

What Happened to This Guy?????Did he fall off the earth? Or did they muzzle him? Where is he now when ordinary Canadians are getting Screwed?

And they still ... call it DEMOCRACY

I have a playlist on my channel called “The Truth” for anyone new to the stuff talked about in this video. It will definitely wake you up to the truth.

This song becomes more relevant with every passing day

If I had to listen to only one artist for the rest of my life, it would be Bruce Cockburn.

This anthemic song is Bruce at the height of his powers in his urban, new-wavy protest phase.

Nazi's spreading their contamination of hate and bigotry all over the earth. Say goodbye to life and humanity, here comes the beast. What evil can't do.

Padded with power here they come
International loan sharks backed by the guns
Of market hungry military profiteers
Whose word is a swamp and whose brow is smeared
With the blood of the poor

Who rob life of its quality
Who render rage a necessity
By turning countries into labour camps
Modern slavers in drag as champions of freedom

Sinister cynical instrument
Who makes the gun into a sacrament
The only response to the deification
Of tyranny by so called "developed" nations'
Idolatry of ideology

North, south, east, And it west
Kill the best and buy the rest
It's just spend a buck to make a buck
You don't really give a flying fuck
About the people in misery

I-M-F dirty M-F
Takes away everything it can get
Always making certain that there's one thing left
Keep them on the hook with insupportable debt

See the paid off local bottom feeders
Passing themselves off as leaders
Kiss the ladies, shake hands with the fellows
And it's open for business like a cheap bordello

And they call it democracy
And they call it democracy
And they call it democracy
And they call it democracy

See the loaded eyes of the children too
Trying to make the best of it the way kids do
One day you're going to rise from your habitual feast
To find yourself staring down the throat of the beast
They call the revolution

I-M-F dirty M-F
Takes away everything it can get
Always making certain that there's one thing left
Keep them on the hook with insupportable debt

And they call it democracy
And they call it democracy
And they call it democracy
And they call it democracy

"See the loaded eyes of the children too
Trying to make the best of it the way kids do
One day you're going to rise from your habitual feast
To find yourself staring down the throat of the beast
They call the revolution."

Bruce Cockburn speaks the truth. Children suffer, and then they grow up and suffer, and they will react one day. IMF, dirty MF indeed.

Another proud Canadian that got famous and moved to the US.

LOVE THIS SONG. THANK YOU BRUCE!

Bruce Cockburn is one of the best songwriters singers ever. He is a beautiful soul and his singing style began as a folkie and evolved over the years. This is one of my fave songs. Bruce is a very modest man we used to live in the same neighbourhood and I'd see him at the Y and at local cafes. He never acted special. A true blue musician. A proud Canadian.

I Can't imagine anyone saying what you just said any more beautifully than you did. I had the occasion to meet him once (And Sarah Mclachlachlan as well, WHAT A SPECIAL PAIR THESE TWO ARE!!!) and he is a modest, fun sweet and absolute national treasure for Canada and all Canadians who have a clue.

He really hits the nail on the head in this song . It's all about the psychopathic wealthy and corporations addicted to greed and unending profits by keeping the poor and workers in misery . if the people rise up our corporate run "democratic" developed nation governments makes lies and backs right wing greedy fascists in those countries to keep their impoverished in line . If the grassroots rises the the world wided corporatocracy will use any means to keep the status quo . If you don't believe that you don't know the facts of history old, and modern history

Bruce nailed it. So long before I woke up.

Good track - hadn't followed his work in years.

pretty awesome song

Fucking cowards who edit FUCK in this video.

This fantastic Bruce Cockburn song is more relevant today than ever. And of course so few people even know it exists as it goes completely against he mainstream narrative .
Now we have Mr Trump leader of the free democratic world [my ass], more like front man for the Mega industrial/Big Business corporation monster. The system is the beast .Lots of love from the Tripzville Godz check out our track "System is the beast" here on youtube.

He was definitely upset at what the communists and Democrats were doing in the world. Still happening.

Hate to break it to you buddy, but these crimes are also committed by Republicans. Clean the bias from your ears. The song is about corrupt politicians, not just one party.

If you think it's just "communists and democrats", you missed the point.

Why did they cover the "f" word with silence?? Youtube has that word all over the place. It belongs in the song.

This is probably the radio version which was edited back in the day.

We got Cockburn...and Springsteen...and Petty...and Dylan...and yet we still vote for a fucking Orange Shitgibbon. Amazing.

Bruce...still telling the truth after all of these years.

Bruce tells it like it is...brilliant!

I saw him in concert ....he's really good.

Love you Bruce. God Bless xoxo

ended up here from bare naked ladies.... never heard of this guy before, great artist! greetings from the USA...

boy howdy are you in for a treat!

This world is fucked and we are all in a fog

The Mc society wants simple people as they are easy to control. People
that can think might have dangerous ideas and will become a threat to
them > NWO.

I just stumbled across this song. This is GREAT!! I've finally found the song that speaks our president Donald Trumps message. This song should've been played at the inauguration.

wish I could play this on the floor of Congress, video and all with their wives and kids.

They wouldnt get it. Or they'd say the magic words, "its Socialism" and everybody'd shit their pants.

@franknberry 63 Ironically, when this song was written, Congress was much more moderate, and Republican at that.

yeah. Canada salutes you, Bruce.

I cant believe anybody with the disdain for peace and people the likes of him can be elected to such high office.
"He'll be good for the economy"
So is war. God help us all. Any room in your homeland, Mr. Cockburn? You folks better build a wall!

no u dont wanna come here, we got a prime minister who got elected simply because of his last name, and he is even worse than trump

Inauguration day 2017. I was reminded of this song. God help us.

Brian Kammers we're screwed

We must resist his tyranny at every turn!

David Wright

Maybe we're NOT screwed, if we fight back. And maybe it's
better with the Repugnants' OVERT attacks on us than with the Demagogs' COVERT
attacks on us. Remember, O'Bomber took us from 2 wars to 7,
stood by while his "security" agencies and corporate cops attacked
the Occupy movement and the heroes and heroines of Standing Rock. And it was the Oh, Bummer administration that brought us NDAA/Indefinite Detention without Trial, shredding our Bill of Rights' 4th Amendment.
And it was Obama's White House that quietly, slickly, tried to
CUT SOCIAL SECURITY
with "Chained CPI".
I saw peace movement
"leaders" refuse to support the impeachment of Bush and Cheney, and vote for Obama, because that's what the "Democratic"
party wanted.
The overtly Repugnant party comes at us, screaming and waving a
hatchet. That wakes us up, and motivates us to organize and fight.
The corporate "Democratic" party sprays us with anesthesia, so they too,
can get away with mass murders.
So now, at least people know something's wrong.
We also are learning that protesting is not enough when dealing with a sociopathic system.
We need to take power.
And with Sanders selling out and supporting Hillary, (the WalMart, Wall St. warmonger), and going on a "Unity Tour" with a corporate DNC honcho, it's obvious to anyone with half a brain
that we need to build a
new party that's NON-corporate, like the Greens.
Building the Greens will take some work, but we
can do it. We have built
mass movements for Civil Rights, Peace, Women's and LGBT Rights...
Now we know we need a PARTY that won't stab our movements in the back.
And this is a good time to do it- BOTH corporate
parties' popularity is rightfully in the toilet.
And we BETTER do it- time is running out for our planet, and going
back to the 2-party zig-zag just means more of the same, and worse.
Please, contact your local Green Party and do
whatever you can to help. You don't have to be a super-hero or know
everything. Pace yourself, be ready to help and learn, and you will. www.gp.org
Good luck to you.
Good luck to us ALL!

Still relevant.

More relevant?

international loan sharks backed by the guns of market-hungry military profiteers

seriously VEVO? censoring the song?

this video would have been made for TV back at a time where you had to censor to get on the air

In the 1980's, Canadian Bruce Cockburn was once the darling of the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) scene in the USA, until his songs started showing political slants that the politically Conservative Christians took offence to. His records quickly disappeared from Christian bookstores, and he became "persona non grata" in the CCM scene. He responded with the song "Gospel of Bondage".

Well, when I was in seminary, we bought every song and album he put out. Of course, that was before Jesus became a commodity to be bought and sold for say...30 pieces of silver?

...of course, now the 30 pieces of silver have turned into an AMG Mercedes and a Gulfstream 650ER.

I adore bruce cockburn. he wouldn't like that, but maybe I should rephrase. I adore what he stands for.

Screw the Christians

I am a Christian and I love Bruce Cockburn so...

This is so true today.

don't give a flying Fuck*

43256, that's all?

This song is even more relevant today than it was thirty years ago.

In June 2016 the IMF has finally admitted that "neoloberalism" - better known as *disaster capitalism* and *the shock doctrine* - has been a failure. The question is, will the IMF assholes take responsibility and act to undo their actions? Probably not. The only thing that will make them act is the threat of a firing squad or a guillotine.

duchess656 crazy conservative trying to deflect the truth...

T Orrent
I oppose the Death Penalty, but we need to take power and give these people fair trials,
which, I think will put them in jail for life.
Time to build the Green Party. Pass the word!
www.gp.org

This song especially about the IMF isn't exactly nuanced, but Robert McNamara (former President of the related World Bank) was one sick fuck.

He went from being a disaster with Vietnam to being a disaster with the World Bank, and the saddest thing is that he genuinely thought he meant well.

Flying fuck. Goddam censorship.

Call It Democracy By Bruce Cockburn Padded with power here they come
International loan sharks backed by the guns
Of market hungry military profiteers
Whose word is a swamp and whose brow is smeared
With the blood of the poor Who rob life of its quality
Who render rage a necessity
By turning countries into labour camps
Modern slavers in drag as champions of freedomSinister cynical instrument
Who makes the gun into a sacrament
The only response to the deification
Of tyranny by so called "developed" nations'
Idolatry of ideologyNorth, south, east, west
Kill the best and buy the rest
It's just spend a buck to make a buck
You don't really give a flying fuck
About the people in miseryI-M-F dirty M-F
Takes away everything it can get
Always making certain that there's one thing left
Keep them on the hook with insupportable debt See the paid off local bottom feeders
Passing themselves off as leaders
Kiss the ladies, shake hands with the fellows
And it's open for business like a cheap bordelloAnd they call it democracy
And they call it democracy
And they call it democracy
And they call it democracySee the loaded eyes of the children too
Trying to make the best of it the way kids do
One day you're going to rise from your habitual feast
To find yourself staring down the throat of the beast
They call the revolutionI-M-F dirty M-F
Takes away everything it can get
Always making certain that there's one thing left
Keep them on the run with insupportable debtAnd they call it democracy
And they call it democracy
And they call it democracy
And they call it democracySongwriters: BRUCE COCKBURN© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.For non-commercial use only.

Thank you! Peace!

Thank you Nita, though the line is "...keep them on the hook with insupportable debt". cheers

I love Columbia and peace. Fuck war let's make some love

Right on!

Great song about how fine words with little action can trick most of us most of the time.

Thanks Bruce for always tellin the truth in this 'demockery'              
 http://ipolitics.ca/2015/06/28/the-misadventures-of-harper-and-his-jailbirds/

@Leandro D Creature
You've never heard this song...

@lesterclaypool1 Bro 
*High fives him right back* :)

@Gordon Coombes
I think my favorite Cockburn song is "Peggy's Kitchen Wall".
You can't get much better than a call and answer sing along about small town police corruption.

lesterclaypool1 That's a great one, very poignant depiction of people not caring about one another - They're drinking gin and joking.

+Nozboy Hux
"It's a 38 for sure"
I still laugh my ass off at that line.

+Leandro Milagroso/D Creature
How you doing, man?

This is my 2nd favorite Cockburn song, my favorite is "Dust and Diesel", love the color in it.

please don't edit...duh

This video only gets 19,600 views while the latest Katy Perry video gets close to 200,000,000 views. (ಥ_ಥ)

The Mc society wants simple people as they are easy to control. People that can think might have dangerous ideas and will become a threat to them > NWO.

this one is way more important... and always will be.

Perfect, you got it!

Engagé, mais indispensable. Les enjeux politiques sont devenus si importants, qu'il n'y bientôt plus personne, à part Bruce Cockburn, pour nous éclairer un tant soit peu....

Just open the unedited version of the song in another tab, start both roughly, don't have to be synced perfectly. This edited version of the song was probably done by Much Music or something. Poor Mulroney couldn't handle his sensitive ears hearing such stuff, aww, lol
; ) : ) 

I love you Bruce thank s for being such a great writer and real example .....you are awesome !!!!

Currently listening to... obviously, but today will be the start of a SAM with Mr. Cockburn, Canadian giant.

CALL IT DEMOCRACY,,,

Y'ALL BETTER LISTEN UP IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON TODAY..STILL!! ALWAYS... LIVE YOUR LIVES LIKE YOU KNOW IS RIGHT AND GOOD. WE ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT AND IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT LOOKED AROUND LATELY, IT'S GETTING LATE.

EXCELLENT!  Thank you!

Keep the Faith Bruce, do not forget your ideals, we should NOT be in Afghanistan or Iraq, or ????

like minds need to come together to make a change...

I have an idea, let's censor one of the most important uses of the word "fuck" probably ever recorded...2 days ago I heard some bs song on MTV 2 (or one of those useless channels)..this chick said the word "bitch" closes to 45 times in the span of 4 minutes..I believe it was Lenny Bruce that said that it was not just the idea of saying "fuck" that was important, it was why I needed to be said..language is power. Oh..and this is most likely one of the BEST songs I have ever heard..

I must be asleep and having a nightmare WTF is it with this fixation of censoring "they don't really give a flying fuck about people in misery" is used in full context not as gangster rap shock value grow up censor get a life and be real

This is one of my favourite Cockburn song's & the clip supports it well.Some truths are painful.

Took me awhile to find this, but it was well worth it. Just another reason to have CC require 35% of everything on the radio from Canada.

@99Wayne01 Yes I noticed they edited out the "F" word...I think Muchmusic and Many Radio Stations do the same as well...kind of like edited out Alanis Morisette's 2 songs with both the "F" and the "S" word!!! If I had my way of singing it I'd probably used the word Funk then the other word!!!

This has always been one of my all time favourite of Bruce Cockburn's Song...This, Tokyo, Coldest Night of the Year, Lovers in the Dangerous Time, If I Had a Rocket launcher and If a Tree Falls!!!

exactly like HVYMETL tells it. Why are PPL sheep that way

Timeless. Its sad how pertinent this still is after all these years.

I couldn't watch the scenes anymore, too painful. The video reminds me of relatives and co-workers who hate the poor and love the rich.

Do you have Bruce Cockburns permission to do this? I think not, when you 'edit' his lyrics. SCUM POS!