Only Obeying Orders.

The right result, my client swore - he might have got ten years, or
more.
What did his clever lawyer think? We poured ourselves another
drink.
Here's to success! I'll take a nip. Oh, my impending partnership
Should now come through without delay - I beat the odds in court
today.

Mind you, he'll soon be back in court - these East End hard men aren't
the sort
To settle in an easy chair. (I'll make some easy money there.)
I'd seen the victim's widow's grief, but looked away: I'd got my
brief.
It wasn't personal, you see; I didn't get a fatter fee!
I was simply obeying orders.

I guarded doors and rattled tins, and planted packages in bins
Then set the fuse and made the call. Left-footer, prod, I've maimed
them all.
Not every family got away? They had ten minutes, didn't they?
I know that kid lost half his face - they should have cleared the ruddy
place!

On Belfast's streets, I get respect. Okay, not for my intellect,
But clever blokes make way for me. (Or get a bullet through their
knee.)
Now, don't brand me a terrorist - such nasty people don't exist.
No - "freedom fighter", that's my name: besuited, sober, free from
blame.
I was simply obeying orders.

I picked the target, briefed the crew. I checked my engines, revved and
flew
Through peaceful pink-tinged clouds to kill. I always have, I always
will.
Who fire-bombed Rotterdam? Yes, me. I also flattened Coventry,
And Dresden.. oh, and Hamburg too. I wasn't counting. Well, would
you?

I napalmed jungle far below; I watched the filthy spreading glow
And prayed the gooks would fry in hell. But had I hit one? Who could
tell?
I caused that swelling mushroom cloud, and homeward flew - relieved and
proud.
I'm just a cog, not paid to ask the nature of my deadly task.
I was simply obeying orders.

That armband? yes, I wore with pride that symbol of the winning
side.
It gave me strength, it made me feel a superman, a man of steel.
I supervised the firing squad, assumed the status of a god.
One final shot; one jerk, one twist: Another number off my list.

Far left, far right, I served them both - a simple change of coloured
cloth.
A uniform of brown or grey, the favoured colours of the day.
Without remorse, I've slit the throat of Serb oppressor, muslim,
Croat,
I'm never out of work, you see; as long as nations disagree:
I'll be simply obeying orders.