When you are at school you are never taught the real thing Teachers leave their class and quietly they sing Alas experience and all the pain is real All men hate their fellow man and here they come Over Westminster Bridge they’re running In the rooms of the crown when they have discussion In the White House the telephone line is humming All the oil that they need isn’t forthcoming Wise men asleep in their ivory tower Yes this fantasy called liberty When in reality we’re never free That’s the irony of liberty When in reality we’re never free
Back in the school yard they are fighting for their ball What started out in fun has ended in a brawl The biggest brute begins to put his big boot in When they start the fight begins And by the left are the troops of St Ivor’s Barracks By the right all the barmen are centre targets While the men with the gold are forever smiling Pretty girls unaware carry on the fighting Secret remorse on the dissident mob
Oh this fantasy called liberty When in reality we’re never free That’s the irony of liberty When in reality you lied to me
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust If the bomb doesn’t get you Then the government must They lock away their secrets And tell you what they like If you say you don’t believe them They’re very quick to strike They say you’re giving bullets For the army side to use So don’t say a word no other excuse
This fantasy called liberty When in reality we’re never free That’s the irony of liberty When in reality you lied to me You lied to me This fantasy of liberty When in reality You lied to me