Dr Liz Gordon: A song for our times.

The Covid song

(To the tune of “My Darling Clementine”)

(Best as a whānau singalong, with guitars)

(First one to get it on YouTube wins something)

(Let me know)

In a country, way down under,

The new Covid did appear

“Go hard and go early”

Was the mantra of the year.

It’s the Covid, it’s the Covid, it’s the Covid that’s to blame

It came from a Pangolin, yeah, and it really is a shame.

We all stocked up with the white flour,

Sugar, beans and toilet rolls

We went into level four with

Very clear and prudent goals.

It’s the Covid, it’s the Covid, it’s the Covid that’s to blame

We all hoped to be the winners of this nasty little game

The staunch team of five million

Kicked the Covid to the dust

We all beat back the little virus

That we viewed with such disgust.

It’s the Covid, it’s the Covid, it’s the Covid that’s to blame

Numbers mounted very quickly – politicians did exclaim 

We were counting every day now

That the virus was at bay

There was hope that we could stay clear,

At least ‘til the hundredth day. 

It’s the Covid, it’s the Covid, it’s the Covid that’s to blame

We became the poster children of the world to some acclaim.

We were told, don’t be complacent

Numbers worldwide were on the rise

It will sneak back through our borders –

Then it did, to our surprise.

It’s the Covid, it’s the Covid, it’s the Covid that’s to blame

Come right out of the first lockdown, then go back there once again.

We are back in partial lockdown

Aucklanders will bear the cost

Some are feeling very anxious

There is fear that the fight is lost

It’s the Covid, it’s the Covid, it’s the Covid, that’s the trouble

Stock your cupboards with provisions and head back to your bubble.

In my heart I do believe that

We can win this second fight

And if we have to, more than this one

And beyond that ‘til we’re right.

It’s the Covid, it’s the Covid, it’s the Covid that’s the theme

We will beat it with Jacinda, Ashley, Grant and all the team.

Dr Liz Gordon is a researcher and a barrister, with interests in destroying neo-liberalism in all its forms and moving towards a socially just society.  She usually blogs on justice, social welfare and education topics.