[Intro] (crowd noise, single guitar) They said... keep it clean They said... it's just a game [Verse 1] Three flags on the trophy, one border in between Biggest tournament in history, brought to you by a laundry machine The anthem's playing louder than the questions at the door They checked my visa twice, then told me not to keep the score [Pre-Chorus] So raise your scarf and close your eyes The pitch is green, the rest is lies [Chorus] Football and politics don't mix! (don't mix!) That's what the sponsors say Football and politics don't mix! (don't mix!) So look the other way Ninety minutes of amnesia, sing it loud and sing it quick Football and politics — funny how they always mix [Verse 2] The stadium was voted on, the seats were bought in bulk Presidents in VIP, pretending not to sulk They painted "unity" in letters ten feet tall Right above the fence they built around it all [Pre-Chorus] So wave your flag and hold your tongue The game is old, the tricks are young [Chorus] Football and politics don't mix! (don't mix!) That's what the suits declare Football and politics don't mix! (don't mix!) While they're shaking hands up there Ninety minutes of amnesia, sing it loud and sing it quick Football and politics — funny how they always mix [Bridge] (quiet, half-tempo) But when the whistle blows and the ball starts rolling For a second I forget what they're controlling Twenty-two players, one stupid beautiful game Maybe that's the trick — we love it all the same [Break] (guitar solo, crowd chanting "olé, olé") [Final Chorus] Football and politics don't mix! (DON'T MIX!) Then why's the ticket price a vote? Football and politics don't mix! (DON'T MIX!) Then why's a flag around my throat? Ninety minutes of amnesia, one more pint and one more trick Football and politics — they were never separate, admit it [Outro] (crowd fading) It's just a game... it's just a game... (yeah, right)
