They say in Europe they play clean and nobody ever starves
The countryside is green 'cause they don't buy extra cars
You can get anywhere by train from St. Petersburg to Spain
But the taxes are a pain and the prices are insane!
And I snuggle underneath my family quilt
It kindles my pride and subdues my guilt
Not a patch on it from before 1970
But the quilt is older than my grandmother's memory
In the land before time life was simple and healthy
You got punished for crime and nobody was wealthy
People worked so hard and well under Mother Nature's spell
And the Church's ringing bell helped them save their souls from Hell!
If Japan's your place of birth chances are you'll get a job
A safe, attractive girth and a spouse who's not a slob
The Japanese economy has won them their autonomy
No room for heteronomy or decadent gastronomy!
In the 22nd century we'll use plastic facial tissues
Our liberal democracy will have settled all the issues
We'll drive interstellar cars to the colonies on Mars
Hear computerised guitars in our alcohol-free bars!
So they say the grass is greener on the other side of the fence
And I wish I could be keener but my life just makes no sense
Social change takes far too long, so I take hits off my bong
And crank up my favourite song - 'cause the here and now is wrong!