Coaches at dawn, forty in a row Engines still running in the August glow Hymn sheets and sandwiches, thermoses of tea Everybody kneeling where the cameras can see Great Babylon, Great Babylon The plate goes round, the plate goes on Great Babylon, Great Babylon Put in your coin and carry on Plaster madonnas, twelve to a crate Glowing in the dark if you stay up late Price for a candle and price for a prayer Pay a little extra and they'll mention you there Great Babylon, Great Babylon The plate goes round, the plate goes on Great Babylon, Great Babylon Put in your coin and carry on A man in gold on a scaffold stage Speaks of the meek for a modest wage Loudspeakers crackle across the field Ten thousand meek, too packed to kneel Then the black car rolls and the dust goes high And the stall men count what the faithful buy Great Babylon, Great Babylon The plate goes round, the plate goes on Great Babylon, Great Babylon Put in your coin and carry on Hallelujah, keep the change Hallelujah, keep the change Great Babylon... The plate goes on...
