Books Are Burning - XTC

Books are burning in the main square

And I saw there, the fire eating the text

Books are burning in the still air

And you know where they burn books, people are next

I believe the printed word should be forgiven

Doesn’t matter what it said

Wisdom hotline from the dead back to the living

Key to the larder for your heart and your head

Books are burning in our own town

Watch us turn 'round and cast our glances elsewhere

Books are burning in the playground

Smell of burnt book is not unlike human hair

Well, I believe the printed word is more than sacred

Beyond the gauge of good or bad

The human right to let your soul fly free and naked

Above the violence of the fearful and sad

The church of matches

Anoints in ignorance with gasoline

The church of matches

Grows fat by breathing in the smoke of dreams, it’s quite obscene

Books are burning, more each day now

And I pray now, you boys will tire of these games

Books are burning, I hope somehow

This will allow, a phoenix up from the flames