The World Isn't Fair

The key to this is the end. It's not just a song about Communism failing to work. It's also a song about how Capitalism doesn't work, because most people live for their own advantage rather than working for a fair world. The story he narrates is about rich men using their wealth and young women using their erotic capital, for personal advantage - and keep the poor and suffering out of sight. The problem isn't Communism, or Capitalism. The problem is people. No system can work while people are mainly interested in themselves.

Well, I never heard the song before. But basically he's speaking about Karl Marx's start of Communism and how it's not for the US, the land of the free.

My favorite part of this song is "If Marx were living today, he'd be rolling around in his grave". Obviously, Marx is buried, and in a coffin now, and I can't help but smile at the idea of Marx suddenly being alive today, finding himself in a coffin, and 'rolling around in his grave' as a result. Somewhat morbid, but I smile just the same ;)

When Karl Marx was a boy He took a hard look around He saw people were starving all over the place While others were painting the town

A public-spirited boy Became a public-spirited man So he worked very hard and he read everything Until he came up with a plan

There'd be no exploitation Of worker or his kin No discrimination 'Cause the color of your skin

No more private property It would not be allowed No one could rise too high No one could sink too low Or go under completely like some we all know

If Marx were living today he'd be rolling around in his grave And if I had him here on my mansion on the hill I'd tell him a story that would give his old heart a chill It's something that happened to me

I'd say Karl I recently stumbled Into a new family Two little children in school Where all little children should be

I went to the orientation All the young mommies were there Karl you never have seen such a glorious sight As these beautiful women arrayed for the night Just like countesses, empresses, movie stars, and queens

They'd come there with men much like me Froggish men, unpleasant to see Were you to kiss one, Karl, Nary a prince would there be

Oh Karl, the world isn't fair It isn't and never will be They tried out your plan It brought misery instead If you'd seen how they worked it You'd be glad you were dead Just like I'm glad I'm livin' in the land of the free Where the rich just get richer and the poor you don't ever have to see It would depress us, Karl, Because we care That the world Still isn't Fair.

I just love how he adds his little twist at the end, about going to a school play with all these fat and ugly rich men and their pretty wives only because of their money. That was his idea as to why Communist sucked, even if it helped the poor. I thought it was a great way to end it.