R.E.M. - Mr. Richards

Mr. Richards, your position
Is a messenger pigeon
Left behind you when the camp moved on

You thought that you had listened
But the words had never crystallized
Into a truth that you might own, hey hey

Mr. Richards, your decision
Pay attention, pay attention

Mr. Richards you're forgiven
For a narrow lack of vision
But the fires are still raging on

The public's got opinions
And these consequences border on
The compound that you razed where
"zealots" sang, hey hey

Mr. Richards, your decision
Pay attention, pay attention

So listen, your intention
Sign the paper, stamp the ribbon
You're mistaken if you think we'll just forget

You can thump your chest and rattle
Stand in front of your piano but
We know what's going on
Yes, we know what's going on
We're the children of the choir, hey
And we know what's going on

Mr. Richards, your conviction
Had us cheering in the kitchen
Now the jury's eating pigeon pie

So tell me how is prison?
Have they taught you how to listen?
We've begin to bridge the schism
Pay attention, pay attention

Mr. Richards, your decision
Pay attention, pay attention
You can thump your chest and rattle
Stand in front of your piano but
We know what's going on
Yes, we know what's going on
We're the children of the choir, hey
From the compound fire, hey
And we know what's going on
Yes, we know what's going on.