CLAMPDOWN

Original The Clash version

One, two, three!

Hey, hey!
Ooh!
The kingdom is ransacked, the jewels all taken back and the chopper descends
They're hidden in the back with a message on a half-baked tape with the spool going round
Saying I'm back here in this place and I could cry and there's smoke you could click on

What are we gonna do now?
Taking off his turban, they said, is this man a Jew?
'Cause they're working for the clampdown
They put up a poster saying we earn more than you!
When we're working for the clampdown
We will teach our twisted speech
To the young believers
We will train our blue-eyed men
To be young believers

The judge said five to ten, but I say double that again
I'm not working for the clampdown
No man born with a living soul
Can be working for the clampdown
Kick over the wall 'cause government's to fall
How can you refuse it?
Let fury have the hour, anger can be power
D'you know that you can use it?

The voices in your head are calling
Stop wasting your time, there's nothing coming
Only a fool would think someone could save you
The men at the factory are old and cunning
You don't owe nothing, so boy get running
It's the best years of your life they want to steal

You grow up and you calm down
You're working for the clampdown
You start wearing blue and brown
You're working for the clampdown
So you got someone to boss around
It makes you feel big now
You drift until you brutalize
You made your first kill now

In these days of evil presidentes
Working for the clampdown
But lately one or two has fully paid their due
For working for the clampdown
Ha! Gitalong! Gitalong!
Working for the clampdown
Ha! Gitalong! Gitalong!
Working for the clampdown

Yeah I'm working hard in Harrisburg
Working hard in Petersburg
Working for the clampdown
Working for the clampdown
Ha! Gitalong! Gitalong
Begging to be melted down
Gitalong, gitalong
(Work)
(Work)
(Work) And I've given away no secrets - ha!
(Work)
(Work)
(More work)
(More work)
(Work)
(Work)
(Work)
(Work)
Who's barmy now?

Info

CLAMPDOWN is a song written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones and originally released by The Clash on their 1979 album London Calling. The above lyrics are for the original The Clash version of CLAMPDOWN as released in 1979.

The Clash -- London Calling

Bruce Springsteen's Version

Bruce Springsteen performed CLAMPDOWN live a few times, with the E Street Band, during the High Hopes Tour in 2014. See his live 29 Apr 2014 version for more details.

Available Versions

List of available versions of CLAMPDOWN on this website:

Page last updated: 17 May 2014