[Intro — children chanting like a skipping game] One for the country, two for the flag, three little soldiers marching out back. [Verse 1] They painted the rocket beside the swings, put little white stars on everything. Tank by the sandbox, bright and clean, safest little war machine you've ever seen. Johnny takes the turret, Masha takes the slide, someone drew a border down the middle with a line. Teacher says, “Remember who keeps you safe.” Kids keep digging while the loudspeakers play. [Pre-Chorus] Red ball, blue ball, bounce it off the wall, name all the countries that want to see us fall. [Chorus — explosive gang vocals] WELCOME TO THE PROPAGANDA PLAYGROUND! Climb up! Slide down! Wave your little flag around! Heroes on the monkey bars, rockets pointing at the stars. Mama, look what we have found— WAR IS FUN ON THE PLAYGROUND! [Verse 2] New jungle gym looks like a border post, plastic little rifles where the seesaw used to go. Billy wants the airplane, Katya wants the gun, neither one knows what the grown-ups have done. Grandpa takes a photograph, proud as he can be: “Look at them learning their history.” One little girl underneath the tank draws yellow flowers all along the flank. [Break — children / increasingly distorted] Tag—you’re it. Duck—don’t move. Pick a side. What did you choose? Tag—you’re it. Duck—don’t move. Who’s the enemy? [silence] Who told you? [Chorus] WELCOME TO THE PROPAGANDA PLAYGROUND! Climb up! Slide down! Wave your little flag around! Heroes on the monkey bars, rockets pointing at the stars. Everybody gather round— WAR IS FUN ON THE PLAYGROUND! [Bridge — stripped down] A boy asks why the tank needs wheels if it's never going anywhere. Nobody answers. A girl asks why the soldier smiles when everybody says war is terrible. Nobody answers. Then somebody blows a whistle— [Final Chorus — chaotic protest punk] WELCOME TO THE PROPAGANDA PLAYGROUND! Stand straight! Eyes front! Make your mother country proud! Tiny boots upon the ground, tiny voices getting loud. Teach them what to fear before they learn what fear is even for— [music abruptly cuts] [Outro — children playing normally in the distance] One for the country, two for the flag… [one child] Can we just play tag?
