Prisoner's Model

Lyrics

I opened the newspaper And there on my knee Was the President Of the Academy

He was fondling an object — A model frigate — By an unnamed man — A prison inmate

There were others there: Men of Humanity Life's quality's leaders Ideology free

This was 'An Opening' Exhibition It was the festival Of a new tradition;

A biennale of prison art About which they could be Caring, sympathetic In good society

And the art exhibition Was sponsored by B.P., Held at the lush head-office Of the oil company

Take heart you unnamed prisoner Transcend your pustulous grotto Learn the social lessons Repeat this motto:

Thanks be to the Academy And praise to the oil company; The heaven of liberality Is aesthetic penology

Would you rather have Your hand cut off Or be appreciated By a toff?

Chronology

• Kangaroo?
  • Mayo Thompson - vocals
  • Lora Logic - saxophone, additional vocals

Interpretations

Art & Language, 1981

This song is a bit socio-protestological. The picture and the newspaper story was nauseating however. Monopoly capital is the setting for ideology’s crocodile tears. These are the stuff of the aesthetics of the ruling class.