Pict Song 2.0 words (c) 1994 c.e. by Isaac Bonewits (based on R. Kipling's poem, "Pict Song") music (c) 1965 c.e. by Leslie Fish (for R.K.'s poem) from "She Said" Key of A-minor Envoi (spoken): We are the little folk, we, Tapping away on our keys, Sailing the silicon sea, Weaving the Net as we please... 1: Eternally tyranny spreads, Always its heavy hoofs fall~~ On our paychecks, our votes, and our beds, And the strong never heed when we squall. Their power grows on and that's all; And they think themselves safe in their greed,~~ Behind each secure garden wall, Ignoring the rage of our breed. Chorus: We are the little folk, we, Too little to love or to hate.~~ Just the techno-peasantry, But watch as we drag down the great! We are the bug in the code. We are the gap in the text.~~ We are the data grown old. We are the program that's -- hexed! 2: They seem secure from all threat, Their power so vast and so vile.~~ But we have learned on the Net How to tap any government file Or corporate scheme, and we smile, As the bastards go mad in their quest~~ For the ones who've exposed all their guile, While logging on only as "Guest!" [Chorus] 3: No, maybe we are not strong, But we know hackers who are~~ And gladly we'll guide them along, With I-Ds to take them in far, And passwords to clear every bar To databanks musty and deep.~~ And we'll dump all the dirt star-dot-star, To the Net while our rulers still sleep! [Chorus, repeat Envoi (sung)] ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Notes: A tilde (~) is used to indicate ornamentation throughout, with double tildes indicating more of the same. Leslie Fish's tune can be heard on her album of Kipling songs, "Cold Iron," available from Random Factors <"http://sundry.hsc.usc.edu/random-factors/">. I've always loved the original poem, feeling that it expressed well the attitudes of the disempowered. I wrote my version of it as a way to remind my fellow technopeasants that we aren't as helpless as we might think we are. All song lyrics are (c) 1996 c.e., by Isaac Bonewits. This text file may be freely distributed on the Net, provided that no editing is done and this notice is included. If you have enjoyed reading this "Sharetext" song, and would like to encourage him to post more, send some $ to the author at: Box 1021, Nyack, NY USA 10960. If you would like to be on the author's personal mailing/phone list for upcoming publications, lectures, song albums, and appearances, send your snailmail data to him at the same address or your email address to him at . ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++