You only see them briefly Perhaps just one edition Their end-of-year photo stares out We only see them briefly And it's muggin' politicians Cock-eyed, their faces stare out But for some their image still burns bright Like the glow of a tiger or a light Switched-off, but once stared-at With such intense concentration You only see them briefly Then it's idle conversation Their perfect frozen bodies certain You only see them briefly Then it's fear and degradation Their dusty, bloodied bodies lie here But for some their image still burns bright Like the glow of a tiger or a light Switched-off, but once stared-at With such intense concentration And one shoulder and one arm Can twist the sinews of thy heart And when thy heart began to beat What dread hands and what dread feet What the hammer, what the chain You are falling towards that rain What the anvil, what dread grasps Dare its deadly terror grasps You only see them briefly Then it's shame and flagellation Their end-of-year photos stare out Wind starts to down their spears And water heaven with their tears Did he smile, it's worth to see Did he who made them glare briefly You only see them briefly Then reach to change the station Their frozen perfect faces stare out