New Left Review #2

In this dispute
You've got justice on your side
They've got the law
But we'll be fighting by the rules

Maybe we'll lose
But we can our heads high
For if we lose
We'll know that our cause was true

Let's get away
From the idea that in industry
There are two sides at war
It's not like that at all

Play by the rules
And public opinion might stay with us
Play by their rules
We'll obey all the laws they make

Against you
Let's hope to god that the company
Will negotiate
Militancy is no answer

Let's get away
From the idea that in industry
There are two sides at war
It's not like that at all

So strong's the right
We'll have to knuckle down
Try not to fright
Public opinion

That's to be found
Inside the Daily Mail
So strong's the right
We'll have to knuckle down

They took our funds
They put hundreds of blacks in jail
The company put thousands more
On the dole

At my desk I sit back and I wonder why
Did we speak too strong?
We'll speak much softer
Next time

Let's get away
From the idea that in industry
There are two sides at war
It's not like that at all

notes:

Malcolm:

I can't find much to say about this one. It's not too bad, I suppose. The end's quite good, with its sampled flute and Tim's guitar - plus Gary's drums are quite appropriate.

A labor dispute depicted as a contest between "justice" and "the law", between "the law" and "the rules."  The state is on the side of business, and has over time instituted a large body of statutes favoring business and hindering the labor movement.  As was typical of such conflicts throughout this period and through the early 90's, with only a few exceptions, the workers here are cowed into submission, and "obey all the laws made against them."

"Militancy is no answer" is ironic, seeing as how it was militancy that afforded the labor movement--at least in the US--its most significant victories in the 90s, not to mention in its golden years.  But the speaker here is very myopic, leaning back at his desk complacently and wondering, "did we speak too strong?  We'll speak much softer next time."  As with many of these things, were it not reality, it'd make for great comedy.

"Let's get away from the idea..."  One of the employers' tactics in pacifying the labor movement was this idea of everyone being in it together as a team.  "Employees" have become "associates," but they're still under the same level of control, if not more so.

Soft, minimalist percussion on this one--perhaps to parallel labor's softness?

"Knuckle down" can be defined as "to work earnestly at a task" but also as "to work very hard, like a slave" (dictionary.com).

The Daily Mail is a British newspaper, or tabloid, depending on who you ask.  From these lyrics we can infer that, at least according to the speaker, the Mail is representative of British public opinion.

"Funds" presumably refers to pension funds, often a sticking point in employer / employee contract negotiations.

"Dole" is a British expression for being unemployed or "on the dole."

New Left Review is itself a left-wing publication.  The #2 here is probably just a distinction between versions of this track, as there is said to be a New Left Review #1 floating around somewhere out there as well.  The title may be a jab at the specific publication, or the direction of the left in general.

found on: The Enraged Will Inherit the Earth, At War EP

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