I’ve spoken about asbestos in the past, but now is the time to really turn our attention to it because the industry has been revitalized by a $58 million dollar loan given by the Quebec government. Asbestos is used as a cheap insulator in walls but has recently been discovered to cause repiratory problems, like cancer. It’s illegal in Canada, but not in third world countries, like India where it is exported.
Many activists, including David Suzuki, have spoken out about this, so I decided to write a song! I included the fact that the town of Asbestos, QC actually celebrated at the news that the mine was re-opening. Also, when the owner of the mine was interviewed on Radio Canada by Jean-Sébastien Bernatchez, he said that everything causes cancer, even the sun.
For the lyrics of the song, I decided not to use any stylistic devices, like rhyming, metaphors, alliteration. Just put the problem out there in as simple terms as possible just to make sure that everyone gets the message. Because if everyone got the message, we wouldn’t be having this problem.
So here are the lyrics including chords & links:
Amin, D,
Amin, D, Emin,
Emin, Amin
Emin, D, Amin
There are many problems in this world
Let’s start with letter “a”
“A” for asbestos
A cause for respiratory problems in the lungs
It makes you feel like you’e suffocating to death
When indeed you actually are
It’s criminal possession in the west
But somehow okay in India
Asbestos is a working class killer
1000 tonnes for 1000 graves
Exported with Canada’s planes
For the economy at the end of the day
They clap, cheer and claim that its totally safe
But would they use it in their own house?
“A” is for assholes who cut corners regardless of how many human lives
Cocaine is harmful & illegal in the west
Especially to export it.
So how is this white powder any different?
Indeed it really isn’t
Asbestos is the working class killer
1000 tonnes for early graves
He actually said the sun is also to blame
Everything has cancer these days
Asbestos is a third world killer
1000 tonnes for 1000 graves
Exported in Canada’s planes
For money at the end of the day
For the economy at the end of the day