Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Richard Thompson
Canonical path: /richard-thompson/civilisation
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
Civilisation
Read Civilisation lyrics by Richard Thompson on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
Civilisation
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
They're not human, they're with the Woolwich
They eat food I wouldn't give to my dog
They're hygienic, medicated
They wouldn't live next door to no wog
They're not human, where do they come from?
I don't know what they're living here for
They don't belong here, on this planet
What are they doing in the house next door?
Wife's tranquilized, milk's pasteurized
Kid's hypnotized by the t.v.
Dad'll beat you, dog'll eat you
They'll treat you like family
All across the nation
It's civilisation
They're not human, they've got a new car
They're going to polish it all the day long
Got a brand new rubber woman
They're going to blow her up all the night long
They're not human, it's a double cross
They sold out for a handful of beads
They sold everything for nothing, just a
Headful of dreams and a handful of greed
Keep 'em happy, keep 'em drinking
Keep 'em laughing, no thinking
No dying, no weeping
Keep 'em hypnotized, keep 'em sleeping
All across the nation
It's civilisation
Pack you off to school, get working
Get a steady job, no shirking
Get to sixty-five, get a handshake
You're a vegetable with a heartache
All across the nation
It's civilisation
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "Civilisation"?
Richard Thompson performs "Civilisation", and this lyric page sits inside the Richard Thompson catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Civilisation"?
Yes. The related section below points to Bogie's bonnie belle and A heart needs a home with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Richard Thompson?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Richard Thompson's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on Civilisation yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.