Banned Books Week

To mark the beginning of the American Library Association’s annual Banned Books Week, I I would like to share one of my favourite XTC songs.

"Books Are Burning"

Books are burning
In the main square, and I saw there
The fire eating the text

Books are burning
In the still air
And you know where they burn books
People are next

I believe the printed word should be forgiven
Doesn't matter what it said
Wisdom hotline from the dead back to the living
Key to the larder for your heart and head

Books are burning
In our own town, watch us turn 'round
And cast our glances elsewhere

Books are burning
In the playground
Smell of burnt book is not unlike human hair

I believe the printed word is more than sacred
Beyond the gauge of good or bad
The human right to let your soul fly free and naked
Above the violence of the fearful and sad
The church of matches
Anoints in ignorance with gasoline
The church of matches
Grows fat by breathing in the smoke of dreams
It's quite obscene

Books are burning
More each day now, and I pray now
You boys will tire of these games

Books are burning
I hope somehow, this will allow
A phoenix up from the flames