Just One More Little Country

I crossed your border before dawn, Then told the world no war was on. The tanks rolled in, the sirens cried— "A friendly ride," the papers lied. I came to save you from yourselves: Your alphabet, your names, your shelves. And when you run, and when you fight, You prove that I was always right. No need for panic, no need for fear, The liberation men are here. Please leave your homes and understand: We bring you peace by taking land. Just one more border, one more town, Stack your weapons, take your flag down. Give me your ports, your fields, your seas— Then I promise we'll have peace. One more city, one more grave, Nothing left for you to save. When there's nothing left to seize, Then I promise we'll have peace. A missile found an apartment block; We blamed the fog, the wind, the clock. And every mother asking why Became a witness for the lie. Our weapons never miss, we say. If ruins disagree, look away. The truth is safe, the truth is clear: It says exactly what you hear. Just one more border, one more town, Stack your weapons, take your flag down. Give me your ports, your fields, your seas— Then I promise we'll have peace. I feed the front with village sons, With prison deals and rusting guns. Their mothers wait; the banners wave; I send the next man to his grave. I spend ten thousand for a hill And ten again to hold it still. I pin a medal to his chest; His mother gets to keep the rest. Do not ask what victory means. And do not look behind the scenes. I draw new borders as I speak; They count the dead from week to week. Peace is very simple. You stop fighting. I keep everything. You surrender your weapons. I reload mine. You forget your dead. I remember my version of history. You give me your language, Your children, Your name. Just one more little country. And when there is nothing left of you, There will be nothing left For us to disagree about. Each time the diplomats arrive, I strike a city, then go live. I say I seek a lasting peace— Provided your existence cease. The talks go on, the drones take flight; Another peaceful, sleepless night. And when the smoke lifts off the ground, I find the map and circle round. Just one more border, one more town, Stack your weapons, take your flag down. Give me your ports, your fields, your seas— Then I promise we'll have peace. One more city, one more grave, Nothing left for you to save. When there's nothing left to seize, Then I promise we'll have peace. Peace someday, peace someday, When every map looks my way. Peace someday, peace someday— Just not today. Thank you. Your destruction Has brought us closer to peace.