a sense of discipline

at no time should we hope to see the end
of all the terrors that beset our folk
we aren't supposed to know what is the trend
beyond the moment when it's not a joke
and we discover that we're wholly broke
before we see redemption or the sun
we know that there's a longish way to run
a fire behind us means no time to pause
we have a way to go before you're done
but we obey the ones who make the laws

there is not one on whom you
could depend but would turn out to be a sorry bloke
we aren't supposed to borrow nor to lend
yet get all things we want at one sharp stroke
leaving the rest behind in dust and smoke
we will not let them have the final fun
who have to die we must not even stun
while all the judge can say are hems and haws
we see the joke is no worse than a pun
but we obey the ones who make the laws

there is another and a stranger trend
which some may see as an odd sort of cloak
for what they could not get or couldn't send
they tell us pine is just as good as oak
even as they in earnest prod and poke
the best of weapons is some sort of gun
we can't evade it and we would not shun
the one who best would know to wield
the taws we will have lost what no one could have won
but we obey the ones who make the laws

prince you behave as would a proper son
and watch as others fill the waiting tun
to honour those who follow the first
clause we have to work but we want to have fun
and give ourselves the chances light or dun
but we obey the ones who make the laws