'Twas Halloween and the ghosts were out,
And everywhere they'd go, they shout,
And though I covered my eyes I knew,
They'd go away.
But fear's the only thing I saw,
And three days later 'twas clear to all,
That nothing is as scary as election day.
But the day after is darker,
And darker and darker it goes,
Who knows, maybe the plans will change,
Who knows, maybe he's not deranged.
The news men know what they know, but they,
Know even less than what they say,
And I don't know who I can trust,
For they come what may.
'cause we believed in our candidate,
But even more it's the one we hate,
I needed someone I could shake,
On election day.
But the day after is darker,
And deeper and deeper we go,
Who knows, maybe it's all a dream,
Who knows if I'll wake up and scream.
I love the things that you've given me,
I cherish you my dear country,
But sometimes I don't understand,
The way we play.
I love the things that you've given me,
And most of all that I am free,
To have a song that I can sing,
On election day.
Again, this is one of my favourite songs from my favourite artist, Norah Jones.
This post will be labelled under the "Arabesque" label and the "You cannot make a phone call with a 2 cent coin".
Qutie obvious, this song is in a political tune, which is a bit different from most of Jones' songs. This song is written towards President Bush during his presidency in year 2006.
But, surprisingly, this song can be reflected into the situation over here.
Let us look into the song.
Song: The first stanza is a contrast to the second one, where she (or the people) is (or are) fears politics more than Halloween or ghosts.
Here: Politics here is really terrifying, and worsens after the political tsunami made on 8th of March. And the politics here is no longer interesting, but scary as it has effects on us, the people.
Song: The third stanza tells us that though there's elections, it doesn't mean anything as representatives will forget their responsibilities and duties after election day. Then, the stanza also told us that it is doubtful whether changes to improve living standards were made or not, after saying that the days after election day is darker and darker.
Here: Quite true that politicians (mostly from BN) shouted blaringly about plans and changes before the election day to gain support and votes, and then it quite fade away. This situation is no different in Pakatan Rakyat, as some promises have not been fulfilled yet (but some did though). And then, some changes, like ammendments in the Internal Security Act suddenly paused (or stopped). This make us to think whether this government that governing us is sincere or not.
Song: The fourth stanza says that the newsmen (people who runs the media) are not transparent, and made conclusions instead of reporting what is the truth. Then, the poet (or the singer) said he/she does not know who to trust because everyone is not being truthful.
Here: The media is being monopolised. In free national TV, 4 out of 6 stations are part of Media Prima, the remaining two stations are Government's RTM. And Media Prima is notoriously known to be linked with "You Must Not Object". The truth can't be told, and practically there's no one can to be believed.
Song: The next stanza continues by saying the candidates, especially the chosen one, is the one who the majority believed, but later turned into the one the people hate because didn't fulfill what they promised to the people. The stanza also reinstates that there's no one to hold on or believed to.
Here: This happened long ago, around 2004, where whe had witnessed ourselves how Abdullah Badawi led his government. The elected candidates didn't execute in a proper manner. The parliament is lopsided because the big majority won by BN. Now, it is still the same thing, and this also says on to ex-Pakatan Rakyat parliament members, where they quit from Pakatan Rakyat, become an independent, or a BN-friendly independent, or one of BN people.
Song: The sixth stanza repeats the fourth stanza, with a bit alteration in the last two lines. The singer said that the filthy situations produced by the people's decision might be a dream (nightmare) or a reality.
Here: Not need to elaborate much-it is a reality.
Song: The next stanza praises the country, and appreciates what the country had gave the singer/poet, but the singer/poet confused on the political game the politicans play.
Here: It's true that Malaysia has a lot of natural resources and human resources. And Malaysia is free from many natural disasters. However, the government's policy that lets the natural resources to be used unwisely and shooing away great minds.
Song: The last stanza is somewhat a hope, a hope to change things. It is called the freedom to choose, and the singer is "free to have a song on election day".
Here: We do have the freedom to choose, and we did exercise the freedom in year 2008 and did some effects on the country. But still, it's far from enough. Still, we still have the freedom to choose in the 13th General Elections.
Don't give up. There's still hope, and let us make it real at that time.
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