Lyrics of 'Beg Your Pardon' by Crass

Beg the question, bend the truth
Bail out the basement while there's holes in the roof

In the beginning they said there was light,
Well there ain't much left of it now.
We're lost in the darkness, searching sound and sight
Of an answer to the what, where or how.
We're talking 'bout freedom while we're locked in a cell,
Dreaming of a world without war,
Forced to live on the boundaries of hell
Like no-one's ever thought of peace before.
What's the point of preaching peace if it's something you don't feel?
What's the point of talking love if you think that love ain't real?
Where's the hope in hopelessness? Where's the truth in lies?
Don't try to hold my hand if you can't look me in the eyes.

Beg the question, bend the truth
Bail out the basement while there's holes in the roof

In the beginning they said there was light
But somebody's burnt out the fuse.
And now we're all lost in eternal night
Looking for a candle to use.
Lots of little candles, isolated hope,
Frail little flames in the gale,
Lost little people who just can't cope,
Just knocking their heads on the nail.
What's the point of talking freedom if you just protect yourself?
What's the point of preaching sharing as you accumulate your wealth?
It's so easy to be giving if the things you give ain't real.
It's so easy to lie if your ignore the things you feel.

Beg the question, bend the truth
Bail out the basement while there's holes in the roof

In the beginning they said there was light
But we never had the eyes to see.
But rather than struggling or putting up a fight
We ran like lemmings to the sea.
No-one really wants to get it all together,
It's easier to just grab what you can.
Everybody's going it, hell for leather,
Building little castles in the sand.
Hypocrisy, delusion, lies, pretence, deceit,
Think only of yourself and the world's at your feet
I don't believe the things you say, you make bullshit of the truth.
The game you play's offensive and you life's the living proof.

Beg the question, bend the truth
Bail out the basement while there's holes in the roof

Beg the question, bend the truth
Bail out the basement while there's holes in the roof

In the beginning they said there was light
But I'm tired of hearing their lies.
I'm tired of deceit, gonna put up a fight,
I'm going to use my own eyes.
Gonna make my decisions, live my own life,
They can keep their darkness and gloom.
Hypocrisy, trickery, I've had enough,
They can keep their destruction and doom.
I've only one life and I'll live it my way,
They can keep their restrictions and law.
And if they think different I'll have one thing to say...
"Fuck off cos I've heard it before."