Julian Jones’s CD ‘I’m an American’ including
‘Ridin’ on the Line’ written by Warwick Embury 1997
—BUTTON More Stories (http://www.warwickembury.com/stories.html
Ridin’ on the Line – written by Warwick Embury 1997

Warwick got such a buzz writing this track with Julian and working
alongside the legendary Dennis Bovell.

RIDIN’ ON THE LINE
written by Warwick Embury 1997

“Good evening America. Please listen carefully
to the announcement I’m about to make.

After careful consideration and research, Congress and myself have concluded educational testing scores run a rapid decline.

The vast majority of them are on welfare and producing babies at a faster rate than they can support them… support them…. support them…. support them.

Peace of night is shattered as civilian life is scattered.
Run for cover cos the action’s about to start.
All with tight white knuckles, flexing muscles, shining buckles
And the flash of cold steel dancing in the dark.
Once born children yesterday have now turned into men…. into men.
Most have never worked at all, the rest since God knows when… God knows when.

Chorus
The system’s broken down, the system’s broken down
When you gonna see the light, when you gonna get it right?
The system’s broken down, the system’s broken down
When you gonna get it right, when you gonna see the light?
They’re running out of time, ridin’ on the line.

Then you hear the smashing and the crashing of the looting
As the shooting starts to echo down the streets.
Somewhere in the distance you’re aware of the resistance
And recognising the sound of marching feet.
They told us back in 1992 no need to get annoyed.
As the millions grow, they’re all still unemployed.

Chorus
The system’s broken down, the system’s broken down
When you gonna get it right, when you gonna see the light?
The system’s broken down, the system’s broken down
When you gonna see the light, when you gonna get it right?
We’re running out of time, we’re running out of time, ridin’ on the line

Once again it’s quiet, it’s no longer called a riot.
It’s official name is unrest from the crowd.
There lies a destruction but what caused the eruption
As the man whose own corruption’s not allowed.
By virtue of his title, he’s supposed to play it straight
He says we’ve bigger problems, the unemployed must wait.

Chorus
The system’s broken down, the system’s broken down
When you gonna get it right, when you gonna see the light?
The system’s broken down, the system’s broken down
When you gonna see the light, when you gonna get it right?
We’re running out of time, we’re running out of time, ridin’ on the line

Running out of time, ridin’ on the line
Running out of time, ridin’ on the line
Running out of time, ridin’ on the line
Running out of time, ridin’ on the line”

(1997 social system – social system 2014…!!!!!)