sound the trumpet

we work for silver and betray for gold
these are the facts that define humankind
not one of us who is not bought or sold

this story has so many times been told
we know so well how we got in this bind
we work for silver and betray for gold

the lamb feels safe within the winter fold
the springtime slaughter is far from its mind
not one of us who is not bought or sold

we aren't surprised to find our fellows cold
at sight of human pain we turn quite blind
we work for silver and betray for gold

the honest one is the first one who's rolled
into the gutter and to hell consigned
not one of us who is not bought or sold

so thief and villain are the most extolled
while decency and honour are maligned
we work for silver and betray for gold
not one of us who is not bought or sold