Crass- Big A, Little A

Crass' "Big A, Little A" is a great example of promoting anarchy through music.

The first section of lyrics are:

:Big A, little A, bouncing B


The system might have got you but it won't get me.
External control are you gonna let them get you?

Do you wanna be a prisoner in the boundaries they set you?

You say you want to be yourself, by christ do you think they'll let you?

They're out to get you get you get you get you get you get you get you"


These lyrics powerfully send the message of anarchism to the listener. They believe that the government is a a force with the goal to drain the world of creativity and freedom.


"Hello, hello, hello, this is the Lord God, can you hear?

Hellfire and damnation's what I've got for you down there

On earth I have ambassadors, archbishop, vicar, pope

We'll blind you with morality, you'd best abandon any hope,

We're telling you you'd better pray cos you were born in sin

Right from the start we'll build a cell and then we'll lock you in

We sit in holy judgement condemning those that stray

We offer our forgiveness, but first we'll make you pay"

Crass' lyrics are declaring that religion is a method used to take control of people.




"External control are you gonna let them get you?

Do you wanna be a prisoner in the boundaries they set you?

You say you want to be yourself, by christ do you think they'll let you?

They're out to get you get you get you get you get you get you get you



Hello, hello, hello, now here's a massage from your queen

As figurehead of the status quo I set the social scene

I'm most concerned about my people, I want to give them peace

So I'm making sure they stay in line with my army and police

My prisons and my mental homes have ever open doors

For those amongst my subjects who dare to ask for more

Unruliness and disrespect are things I can't allow

So I'll see the peasants grovel if they refuse to bow"

The lyrics mention that the police and army are used to force people to act a certain way.

"Introducing the Prime Sinister, she's a mother to us all"


Crass' play on words shows the anarchist view of people holding positions of high power.
:If Moses did it with is faith, she'll do it with an army

Who at times of threatened crisis are certain to be there

Guarding national heritage no matter what or where

Palaces for kings and queens, mansions for the rich

Protection for the wealthy, defence of privilege

They've learnt the ropes In Ireland, engaged in civil war

Fighting for the ruling classes in their battle against the poor

So Ireland's just an island? It's an island of the mind

Great Britain? Future? Bollocks, you'd better look behind

Round every other corner stands P.C. 1984

Guardian of the future, he'll implement the law

He's there as a grim reminder that no matter what you do

Big brothers system's always there with his beady eyes on you

From God to local bobby, in home and street and school

They've got your name and number while you've just got their rule

We've got to look for methods to undermine those powers

It's time to change the tables. The future must be ours



Big A, little A, bouncing B

The system might have got you but it won't get me



Be exactly who you want to be, do what you want to do

I am he and she is she but you're the only you

No one else has got your eyes, can see the things you see

It's up to you to change your life and my life's up to me

The problems that you suffer from are problems that you make

The shit we have to climb through is the shit we choose to take

If you don't like the life you live, change it now it's yours

Nothing has effects if you don't recognise the cause

If the programme's not the one you want, get up, turn off the set

It's only you that can decide what life you're gonna get

If you don't like religion you can be the antichrist

If your tired of politics you can be an anarchist

But no one ever changed the church by pulling down a steeple

And you'll never change the system by bombing number ten

Systems just aren't made of bricks they're mostly made of people

You may send them into hiding, but they'll be back again

If you don't like the rules they make, refuse to play their game

If you don't want to be a number, don't give them your name

If you don't want to be caught out, refuse to hear their question

Silence is a virtue, use it for your own protection

They'll try to make you play their game, refuse to show your face

If you don't want to be beaten down, refuse to join their race

Be exactly who you want to be, do what you want to do

I am he and she is she but you're they only you"
 
The rest of the lyrics encourage people to be true to themselves and to choose their own path. To be who you want to be and not follow the governments orders.
 
This is a brief explanation of one of Crass' most popular songs. I will expound upon general anarchism in music in my next post.

-Hannah Kelley