Tourniquet

Going, Going...Gone

Tourniquet


Is it greed or ignorance or is it both? 
as the bulldozer trashes a thousand years growth 
clearcutting with a clear conscience-a burning desire to burn 
if a tree falls and no ones around-the wildlife still hear it crashing down 

You were gone before we even knew you 
and there's no way to ever get you back 

Gorilla seven days old ripped from his dead mother's arms 
her hand-now an ashtray-souvenir for a tourist's charms 

Will I join the ranks of the photo gallery? 
It may be the only way left to ever see me 

Thousand acres a day 
burning it all away 
extinction the price to pay 

A ton of rhino, a pound of horn 
the Javan one cursed-the wheels of greed are born 
medicinal myth, smuggled to Hong Kong 
ancient superstition-reality gone wrong 

I joined the ranks of the photo gallery 
it's the only way left to ever see me 
You were gone before we even knew you 
and there's no way to ever get you back 

The greatest land animal killed for a foot of ivory 
will your children live to see one-or witness decimation by tyranny 

Passenger pigeons blackened the sky 
never a chance we would say goodbye 
oh how I wish I could see one fly 

You were gone before we even knew you 
and there's no way to ever get you back 

American symbol of freedom and power 
only for target practice by the hour 
buffalo sat on the brink of no more 

Will I join the ranks of the photo gallery? 
It may be the only way left to ever see me