OPIUM FOR THE PEOPLE
daevid allen

note:
daevid's interjections changed most nights
(hence sometimes extemporaneously garbled)
(?) Express refers to NME - New Music Express
(other weekly music paper besides Melody Maker)

transcribed from the A side of the single


alpha, beta, gamma, hubba-dubba

ain't got no time left to seduce you
well either you listen to us now
or we're going to lose you
well floating anarchy
is going to save you
so beat your head against the wall
where's that going to get you?
let society fall
ain't nothing you can do
because it's opium for the people
(religion, ?)
opium for the people
(politicians, radio)
opium for the people
(rock and roll _)
opium for the people
well don't you know it's got you under control?
you know it's opium
opium
opium
opium

ain't got no time left to amuse you
well either you listen to us
or we're going to lose you
well floating anarchy
is going to save you
so beat your head against the wall
where's that going to get you?
and let the society fall
ain't nothing you can do
because it's opium for the people
(politicians, radio)
opium for the people
(? Express, Melody Maker)
opium for the people
(?)
opium for the people
well don't you know it's got you under control?
you know it's opium
opium
opium
opium

ain't got no time left to amuse you
well either you listen to me/us
or we're going to lose you
well floating anarchy
is going to (?) you (is gonna ? you?)
so beat your head against the wall
where's that going to get you?
and let the society fall
ain't nothing we can do
ain't nothing you can do
because it's opium for the people
(politicians, religion, education)
opium for the people
(television, Melody Express)
opium for the people
(????)
well don't you know it's got you under control?
you know it's opium
opium
opium
opium