The Opium Wars

10 The Opium Wars
(Jim Stanard)

I rounded the point and first saw Kawloon
in the stormy Spring of 1842

Britain claimed the right
to sell its drugs
So I was sent to fight

Sailed from London’s busy port
to bombard China’s forts

We sank their ships with ease
to sell our deadly
cargo to Chinese

I can’t escape the poppy’s curse
always needing something more
‘cause when Eve bit to the apple’s core
the first shots were fired
in the opium wars
Still fight these opium wars

One night in port a girl so fair
in scarlet silk
lead me down the stairs

Where I took the pipe
I was too young
to think about the price

As the smoke snares many men
silver keeps flowin’
up the Thames

I can’t escape the poppy’s curse
always needing something more
‘cause when Eve bit to the apple’s core
the first shots were fired
in the opium wars
Still fight these opium wars

Many years later it’s the same old game
Afghanistan to the streets of LA
Silver’s still the reason why
So much hope is left to die

I’ve always kept wanting more
Now I just want to get home from this war

I can’t escape the poppy’s curse
always needing something more
‘cause when Eve bit to the apple’s core
the first shots were fired
in the opium wars
Still fight these opium wars