Pussy Riot, "Punk Prayer"

This is just another indication that the world is off-kilter. Yes, look to Russia and Mr. Putin for an example of why I can be rather pessimistic about the human condition--or that of our social structures. (I'm quite certain that in the next 5 years we will see drones flying above us, adroitly taking note and inventory of our lives.) I have personally felt and seen the continuing invasion of privacy and freedom of speech. And take note: sometimes such encroachments are clandestine. However, in the case of Pussy Riot, those tactics have been quite open and unapologetic. Members of the collective--mothers, sisters, daughters, partners, leaders, citizens--have been put on trial and face up to 7 years imprisonment for "hate crimes" against the church in Russia. Strange, at least it seems to me, since the true "hate crime" is the Russian governments forced squelching of the voices of citizens. We must hope that that attention their story is getting will help Pussy Riot escape from the clutches of a fiercely brutal and power-hungry political system. Furthermore, let their story be a warning to us all about the lengths the people-at-the-top will go to keep their privileged positions--including selling arms to a deadly regime in Syria or ebbing the human rights of its own citizens. See the video and words that started the fire below.

(Chorus)

St. Maria, Virgin, Drive away Putin
Drive away! Drive away Putin!
(end chorus)

Black robe, golden epaulettes
All parishioners are crawling and bowing
The ghost of freedom is in heaven
Gay pride sent to Siberia in chains

The head of the KGB is their chief saint
Leads protesters to prison under escort
In order not to offend the Holy
Women have to give birth and to love

Holy shit, shit, Lord's shit!
Holy shit, shit, Lord's shit!

(Chorus)
St. Maria, Virgin, become a feminist
Become a feminist, Become a feminist
(end chorus)

Church praises the rotten dictators
The cross-bearer procession of black limousines
In school you are going to meet with a teacher-preacher
Go to class - bring him money!

Patriarch Gundyaev believes in Putin
Bitch, you better believed in God
Belt of the Virgin is no substitute for mass-meetings
In protest of our Ever-Virgin Mary!

(Chorus)
St. Maria, Virgin, Drive away Putin
Drive away! Drive away Putin!
(end chorus)