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Nicotine Dream
Album: The World Seems Happy...
ATTENTION ALL SMOKERS... PLEASE DON'T TAKE OFFENCE...!
I'm definitely no do-gooder trying to spoil your fun or preach about what you should or shouldn't be doing. I'm simply 'venting off' after being provoked by a documentary I saw on TV that told the story of an African woman who lived in a poverty-stricken, isolated area with limited facilities.
To fill you in on the picture.... her daily routine involved walking incredibly long distances to collect wood so she could cook food for her family and boil water to prevent them getting sick. She also grew, harvested and cured tobacco for a well known tobacco company and earned very little for this labour intensive, time consuming chore. Her life was a struggle and each day she found herself having to travel further distances and search longer to find any wood.
The reporter presented a situation of despair and injustice. Yet she seemed to somehow take it all in her stride. Although she was not content, the strength of her Spirit shone through. She had amazing vigour and a positive acceptance of life, regardless of her difficult circumstances. Even though working with tobacco provided her livelihood, she did feel very strongly that she was a slave to other people's addictions.
Not long after watching this story, I was enjoying a few lagers with friends at a bar and I couldn't help but overhear some people nearby deep in conversation. It appeared that they had pretty simple lives with few hardships. As I watched them sitting at the bar, suckin' hard on their ciggies (that's when you were allowed to do that kind of thing in the pub!) it seemed they were constantly blaming this person or that person for something that was happening in their lives. Complaining about the government, their boss... workmates... relationships, etc, etc, etc.
Their smoke infused whinging bought my attention back to that amazing African lady and her understanding of life. As these people around me obliviously chain smoked the night away, I began to wonder who the slaves really were? Suck It Hard, Suck In The Heat.. As You Dance In Chains To Your Nicotine Beat!
Later still... as I sat deep in thought strumming my guitar until the wee hours, this song came together with zest, piercing the smoky haze at my Kings Cross abode.
Warning: This song will make you either quit or light up in revolt!
Nicotine Dream :: Lyrics
Words and Music by Johnnie McCarthy 1996 Copyright
I see a cloud of smoke come floating by
Clouded lungs and a clouded sky
Clouded brain I hear them scream
And all she sees is his nicotine dream
A hazy view through smoke and tar
Suck it in, suck it hard
Burn your fumes and spit your butt
Tar your lungs with your nicotine muck
C'mon and fill the world with comfort 'n' vice
Everything's rosy if everyone's nice
Keep 'em high, suck in the scene
And float away on your nicotine dream
CHORUS
Suck it hard, suck in the heat
As you dance in chains to your nicotine beat
Suck it cool, they say fresh and clean
Come on an' pierce your lungs with your nicotine dream
She works all day with her African sweat
Lacing tobacco with its chemical zest
He spits in his chair by the bar with a beer
Suckin' hard on his nicotine cheer
She earns pittance, a slave everyday
His life's in chains in a different way
Picks up his cheque and his social scene
And he couldn't give a fuck in his nicotine dream
CHORUS
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