You were the razor edge poet From a punk lost generation Shaking off praise, so humble man Shattering expectation You're relevant right now More so than you were yesterday Seventy seven broke Your voice came charging through Was that changing of the guard Bearer of the new flame Begging what's my name Who's to blame We're under complete control You taught us all when we were young To be true to ourselves You lit the fire in us And we play on in your trust A reluctant, poetic guttersnipe Beyond images and songs More than your memory carries on As the general's boombox still plays on As the general's boombox still plays on You evolve with each new year You always push for change When you got called out You stood your ground and kept it tight Let the ragga drop Act like a cop When Bernie got in your head You sacked St. Mick Went on a walkabout and stayed true to yourself You lit the fire in us
And we play on in your trust A reluctant, poetic guttersnipe Beyond images and songs More than your memory carries on As the general's boombox still plays on As the general's boombox still plays on I remember the cold December day When I got the news I will never forget, I will never forget Found some guitars Broke up bars Chapter 11 Detroit Stars You boot it, you boot it, you boot to full Can hear that angry spirit In garages around the world From amplifiers, barrel fires, everywhere They sing it on, won't forget You're living on You lit the fire in us And we play on in your trust We'll try to carry on the flame Do you right boyo And if you listen close enough You can hear him in our songs As the general's boombox still plays on As the general's boombox still plays on