MACSPRING THE KNIFE - lyrics by Heathcote Williams
(to the tune of ‘Mac the Knife’ from ‘The Threepenny Opera’)

Oh, the shark has - pretty teeth dear
And he shows 'em - pearly white
And MacSpring, dear - has loads of cash, dear
But he keeps it - out of sight.

In Jericho, dear - one Sunday morning
Lies a boater - oozing life
And who sneaks off, dear? - down the towpath?
Who could that be? - MacSpring the Knife!

And when that shark bites - with his teeth, dear
Jericho’s boaters - they’re left for dead
And MacSpring, dear - has the bureaucrats
In his pay, dear - or in his bed.

Then from a cruiser - going slowly
See cement bags - dropping down;
And as they splash, dear - down in the water,
You bet MacSpring is - back in town.

He’s putting up slums, dear - as fast as poss., dear,
Cheap and nasty - but what’s he care?
“I sweep away dreams, dear! - don’t stand in my way, dear!
I count my squillions - then creep back to my lair!”

Now Oxford Council - they all fall silent,
They don’t dare to - interfere
‘Cause that MacSpring, dear - he pays their fees, dear,
And then he fills them, - fills them all with fear.

See the streets of Jericho - they’re slowly vanishing.
What’s Oxford doing - something rash?
And MacSpring, dear - where’s he gone, dear?
Gone back to Mayfair - with all his cash.

Oh, the shark has - pretty teeth dear
And he shows 'em - pearly white
Oh, MacSpring, dear - has loads of cash, dear
But he keeps it out of sight.

And certain people - they all want some
He hands it over - late at night.
And what do they care? - if Jericho crumbles?
Cause old MacSpring, dear - he’ll have seen them right.

Jericho Canalside development threat.
More information at www.jerichowharf.com/