In Defence of the Realm

Born into a privileged position The Gracchi and Kennedys were on a mission A violent end was to be their common fate With vested interests full of rage and hate Their new programmes threatened the status quo And prompted the dealing of the killer blow Centuries apart, they both wanted reform Championing the poor brought to them great harm If the Gracchi's progressive plans were to win the day The senate felt its power would pass away Land reform and franchise extension the ruling class could not tolerate They feared the concilium plebis would carry too much weight Allowing tribuni plebis to gain too much power Crucial steps were needed by the senate at this critical hour Violent deaths turned out to be the Gracchi's lot The people lost what they had sought History is oft claimed to be repetitive The Kennedys' careers were closely imitative A crackdown on crime and improving civil rights Panicked those who opposed such fights Where the Kennedys heralded an era of hope Those under threat from this programme could not cope Their death warrants were signed for what they stood Both were gunned down vengefully in cold blood In each instance when their hopes died Politics rode roughshod over the people's pride A brighter future for those in need of care Was ended by vested interests' callous warfare