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It Couldn't Happen Here

from NO PASARAN! by Joe Solo

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With this one I wanted to show just what a colossal decision it was to leave these shores to go and fight on a principle in a far off land. This is the story of Harry Jones, an entirely fictional character, who has just told his best mate he has signed up for the International Brigade. The song is his friend's reaction to the news.

It's hard to gauge the magnitude of that choice unless you view it against the backdrop of an everyday life. Harry is a bus driver with a girlfriend called Annie and every reason to look the other way and carry on with his own life just as his friend is trying to convince him to do, yet his conscience has set him on a different path, one that could kill him.

From 1936 it was impossible to see the Second World War in all its horror, but many could see it coming and felt that fighting fascism in Spain might help stop the monster in its tracks.

There are hopefully modern echoes for all those who would sit and watch a country descend into fascism and, through apathy and self-interest, look the other way.

lyrics

It's easier to sit there
It's Friday we've been paid
And Town are home tomorrow
They won last time they played
So pass a man a fag here
Let's have another beer
That's someone else's problem
It couldn't happen here

I've seen it in the papers
Them Fascists on the rise
But Harry lad them papers
Make up a lot of lies
It's something and it's nothing
Be over in a year
It's someone else's problem
It couldn't happen here

Me I'm an engineer
And you, you drive a bus
What's Franco, or Hitler
To do with us

Does Annie know you're leaving?
You'll only break her heart
You know how much she loves you
You'll tear her world apart
But go off and fight your fascists
Me I'm going to have that beer
That's someone else's problem
It couldn't happen here

credits

from NO PASARAN!, released January 1, 2014
Joe Solo

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Joe Solo Scarborough, UK

Joe Solo is an award-winning musician, writer, poet, activist, broadcaster and washing machine engineer from Scarborough.

Live he has an ever growing reputation as both a performer and raconteur, being thought-provoking, comical and punch-the-air political often in the same breath.

He is not an artist you forget in a hurry.
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