Order 1081 Lyrics - Natalie Merchant

A bomb went off this morning raining bodies on TV 

They are blaming the insurgents; they are blocking off the streets 

And the smoke is rising slowly from the barrel of a gun 

The solution to disruption: Order 1081 

Now the sunsets are incredible across Manila Bay 

You can hear the bombers landing at the U.S. Air Force base 

And somewhere in the distance, out beyond the setting sun 

They will sign a proclamation: Order 1081 

Now, we live down by the water in a shack that's made of wood 

And the bankers need to huddle so they need some extra room 

We will find us somewhere better; there's enough for everyone 

Got a perfect explanation: Order 1081 

I thought I ordered coffee, but they gave me 7-Up 

Got to clear away these shanties and these ugly nipa huts 

So the seeds of our great future, they can grow here when we're done 

And it's clearly all because of Order 1081 

For thirty days the rain fell--we were nearly washed away 

The radio fell silent; nothing left to do but pray 

And the senator he told us the guerrillas are on the run 

And the reason they are hiding? Order 1081 

They are planting plastic flowers on the seaside esplanade 

The Pope is speaking Spanish, but we can't hear what he says 

Got to stop all this confusion, got to wipe away this scum 

And the way to make it happen: Order 1081 

It's amazing that the soldiers somehow all know how to dance 

It's amazing how the soldiers keep the creases in their pants 

Now it's safe to walk the streets at night; a new world has begun 

Everybody's sleeping soundly thanks to 1081