Lay for the Day 14th January

The modern age of mass production could be said to date from 14th January 1914, the first day of non-stop work on the assembly line for Henry Ford’s Model T cars (which had appeared on the market in 1908).

This song is on The Children’s second album, Come Aboard.

Thank You, Henry

Bumper to bumper, temper meets temper
Permanent fault, ground to a halt
Red light on your mind
Motorway, underpass
Keep building
Thank you Henry

For every two babies there’s a new motor
History’s bunk, let’s put a trunk
Road through your village
Flyover, orbital
Get me some wheels

Care for a lift, lad? Here’s a free gift, dad
Step on the juice, see what she’ll do
Ninety, one hundred
Indicate, overdrive
Such handy transportation

I’ll beg buy or steal for that automobile, sir
Do me a deal, who’s at the wheel?
Not me, not you, sir
Born to run, fun fun fun
You can’t catch me

Where do all roads lead? Straight to the scrap heap
Any old iron – song of the siren
Blue light on your tail
Ambulance, first offence
That’s one less pedestrian

Stuff global warming, where’s the free parking?
Car paradise, lethal device
Our lives in your hands
Toxic air, acid rain
Let’s take a spin

Bumper to bumper, temper mets temper
Permanent fault, ground to a halt
Red light on your mind
Motorway, underpass
Keep building
Thank you Henry

Words and music by The Children

The Lay Reader: an archive of the poetic calendar