[Verse 1]
Repression in Afghanistan
Inquisition in Iran
Zimbabwe and South Africa have social and racial unrest
As Marxists protest
People see Grenada as a next Cuba
Nobody can trust police in Jamaica
Human explosion in China
Destitution in Cambodia
But in Trinidad...
[Chorus]
Land of hope and glory
Sweet 'la trinity'
The people are carefree
Happy go lucky
Livin' recklessly
Oh-oh! Land of milk and honey
For prevention stay
Simply got to show more concern
Show love and respect for your own
And don't be ashamed to learn
From the mistakes that others make
[Verse 2]
Sometimes I does sit and wonder
About the way you squander
This question you cast asunder
Feeling you could right each blunder
But just remember
The Romans once held a mighty empire
In the course of time it met with disaster
Look what happened to Alexander
What happened to Adolf Hitler
[?]
[Chorus]
Land of hope and glory
In the deep blue sea
Yuh livin' is easy
Yuh women are truly
Pretty as can be
Oh-oh! Land of natural beauty
Oil and asphalt lake
If you want to retain a bit
For your children to inherit
Try to derive some benefit
From the mistakes that others make
[Verse 3]
With labour unrest in Poland
Possible Soviet invasion
Syria line up ten battalion
Along the border with Jordan
For confrontation
Iraq and Iran fighting in Abadan
Israel only rainin' bombs in Lebanon
Racial hatred [?]
Warmongers murdered John Lennon
[?] and sad
[Chorus]
Land of hope and glory
Thank God we still free
Don't take too much for granted
Don't follow the wicked
Try and live righteously
Oh-oh! Land of ancient mystery
[?]
But don't be too proud to genuflect
It's correct to have self-respect
There is a good we can all affect
From the mistakes that others make
[Verse 4]
America, France, and England
Venezuelans and Germans
Pakistan, India, and Japan
Had their share of revolution
War, and depression
El Salvador hoping to recuperate
Uganda and Ireland pregnant with hate
Everywhere the same thing happenin'
Look around, everyone take warnin'
Before it's too late...
[Chorus]
Land of hope and glory
[?]
An era is ending
Disaster is pending
Those with eyes shall see
Oh-Oh! Land of milk and honey
Your future is at stake
To recapture a lost freedom
And exist in the times to come
You got to gain some wisdom
From the mistakes that others make
Mistakes was written by Mighty Sparrow.
Mighty Sparrow released Mistakes on Thu Jan 01 1981.