"Shock and awe"? You got it right there
that's exactly how I feel, sat here
beneath a behemoth with no fear
nor sense of responsibility

To my surprise and contempt
the rule of international law has not been kept
and ranging over our collective heads
flies the law of missiles and the gun

You'd think someone would stop and think
you can take the world to the brink
but then, don't expect the knowing winks
of others who would make common cause

people who want to be your friend
will keep well out of the way when you defend
your contempt for anyone
who tries to hold you back

for without the world, you stand alone
you may have hordes of arsenals or precision swords
but
I'm shocked and awed by what I've seen
just sat in front of the TV screen
let alone how the people's will, it seems
is flaunted for this expediency

More amazing than all of this
is the thought that if its very quick
the entire world's discontent with this
will be forgotten 

No, it realises now there's something deeply rotten
and at its heart some misbegotten
bully boys play out this turf war 
on the international stage

I'm shocked that they can straight faced say
this is to save the world for generations away
in a future where anyone can bray
"I dont like you, you are guilty, 
and come what may
I unleash WMD's upon you"

I'm expected to support our troops
sent in with confounding loop de loops
of spoken lies and hidden truths 
broadcast as televised diplomacy

But no, the doubt's I have about this news
is that shock and awe are techniques now used 
to bring the rule of international law 
into dispute 

In diplomatic terms its safe to say
the world's no longer a better place to stay
Now that we're held ransom
to this juggernaut of destructive anger
which is for us all 
a clear and present danger
to the cause of peace

20/3/03