We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Death of the High Street

from Black Dog by Mark Ayling

/

lyrics

The brightly-coloured adverts keep dropping through my door
With glossy promises of savings and bargains galore
There's something for all of the family, there'll be so much to buy
But as with everything that seems too good to be true
The real cost is hidden behind a good price

So we take a drive out
Past the 'To Let' signs and the white-washed windows of our high street
These concrete blocks resonate with generations of shoppers feet
The shadows of a prosperous past flicker all around
Those glory days now forgotten, left buried, in an unmarked grave on unconsecrated ground...

In cathedrals to consumerism on the edge of town
Bowed in worship, the credit-led disciples gather round
At the altar, crumbling under the weight of all our greed
So I kneel here, but I can't find a single thing I need

Now the shining aisles beckon us in a desperate call
This 24-7 communion is what keeps us all enthralled
and enslaved to this new religion
and to these neon gods we've made
Hundreds stepping in time
Thousands all queueing
Lined up like wind-up toy soldiers marching
To the same old beat from a worn-out, broken drum

In cathedrals to consumerism on the edge of town
Bowed in worship, the credit-led disciples gather round
At the altar, crumbling under the weight of all our greed
So I kneel here, but I can't find a single thing I need

So I find the pub and sit up at the bar
I try to choose a drink from all the bottles shipped in from afar
The barman tells me
"This is a faithful reproduction of the Inn that used to stand on the high street"
So I try to choose a drink
I try to choose a drink
I try to choose........
But all I can find is bitter here..........

credits

from Black Dog, released November 20, 2021

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Mark Ayling image

Mark Ayling UK

A lifelong drummer, Mark Ayling has branched out into the world of acoustic music. Discarding the usual folk/acoustic influences such as Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie, Mark takes his inspiration from artists as diverse as The Jam, New Model Army, The Specials, Motorhead and Joy Division, creating a sound that has the energy of punk whilst retaining the melodic elements of the acoustic guitar. ... more

contact / help

Contact Mark Ayling

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Mark Ayling recommends:

If you like Mark Ayling, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now