1989 – Hated Uncles: “Variety Show” cassette
John Harvey (vocals) John Kinsella (music)
1989-12-07 – Rathskellar – McMaster University – Hamilton, ON
Harvey Dog (vocals), Paul Settle (trumpet), John Battaglia (guitar), John Kinsella (bass)
Lyrics
I write cheques to my creditors,
as the world sleeps and dreams
of rich bungalow houses
and beautiful lawns
surrounded by golden pavement,
emanating from the soiled earth.
I write cheques to pay my debts
as people starve in the streets
and fight for survival,
a warm place to sleep
as the world comes crashing
down around them.
I write cheques to my friends
to pay off old drinking debts,
as people’s throats are slit
and the blood oozes out from
severed veins
screaming:
“I’m going to die,
I’m going to die.”
I write cheques to support
this crooked government,
whose mouth is gaping wide
begging for more cheques
to satisfy its permanent hunger.
Written: 1988
Video
Hated Uncles – I Write Cheques – Live 1989-12-07 – Rathskellar – McMaster University – Hamilton, ON