Song Lyrics

The messenger came with bad news from the front
Said "the soldiers are starving and their swords are all blunt
They need a show of support or some futile sign
That's what they told me to tell you, not even the words are mine..."

The messenger came with bad news from the war
Said "the fine young men forgot who they were fighting for
They don't wanna be stars on your tv screen
That's the general feeling, please don't blame it on me"

And the people said "one and one is two
There's nothing left for us to do
But since we can blame it all on you
We will kill the messenger"

The messenger came with bad news from the town
Said "the phone-lines are on strike and the doormen are all down
They've turned your den of thieves into a temple
They need someone of stature to set them an example"

And the people said "two and two is four
Don't tell us anymore
We all know the score
We must kill the messenger"

Someone brought the news to the messenger's folks
He said "your son's been killed two times"
They said "is that a joke? "
He said "no
He was he victim of ignorant minds
I hate to bring such bad news, please don't think me unkind"

And the family said "one and one is two
There's nothing left for us to do
But since you're here and we can blame it on you
We will kill the messenger
So if you want to send a message...

John Wesley Harding