Books Are Burning

by XTC

From the album: Nonsuch

Track 17 of 17 on Nonsuch (1992).

Duration: 4:54

Nonsuch cover art

Lyrics for Books Are Burning

Books are burning In the main square, and I saw there The first 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 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

Listen On

More from Nonsuch

  1. Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead
  2. My Bird Performs
  3. Dear Madam Barnum
  4. Humble Daisy
  5. The Smartest Monkeys
  6. The Disappointed
  7. Holly Up On Poppy
  8. Crocodile
  9. Rook
  10. Omnibus
  11. That Wave
  12. Then She Appeared
  13. War Dance
  14. Wrapped In Grey
  15. The Ugly Underneath
  16. Bungalow
  17. Books Are Burning