Don't start me talking, I could talk all night
My mind goes sleepwalking while I'm putting the world to rights
Called careers information, have you got yourself an occupation?

Oliver's army is here to stay
Oliver's army is on their way
And I would rather be anywhere else but here today

There was a checkpoint Charlie, he didn't crack a smile
But it's no laughing party when you've been on the murder mile
Only takes one itchy trigger
One more widow, one less white nigger

Oliver's army is here to stay
Oliver's army is on their way
And I would rather be anywhere else but here today

Hong Kong is up for grabs, London is full of Arabs
You could be in Palestine, overrun by the Chinese line
With the boys from the Mersey and the Thames and the Tyne

But there's no danger, it's a professional career
Though it could be arranged with just a word in Mr Churchill's ear
If you're out of luck and out of work
We could send you to Johannesburg

Oliver's army is here to stay
Oliver's army is on their way
And I would rather be anywhere else but here today

Copyright: BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Writer(s): Elvis Costello