KEEPERS OF THE FLAME
by R.W. Grant

The Keepers of the Flame are we,
Where Mumbo Jumbo is the key;
So round about the cauldron go;
As in the poisoned entrails throw
Of bills and hearings, laws and pleas,
To fill the pot with legalese!

Double, double, toil and trouble,
Fire burn and cauldron bubble!

Eye of newt and toe of frog,
And discourse full of wind and fog;
A lengthy "study" let us make,
Then with the rest to boil and bake;
Then every quibble, every jot
Will add we now to this charmed pot!

Double, double, toil and trouble,
Fire burn and cauldron bubble!

Tongue of serpent, wing of bat,
Here is where the action's at:
Create a maze of regulations,
Codes and laws and incantations;
Spin this web of rules precise --
Then extricate you -- for a price!

Double, double, toil and trouble,
Fire burn and cauldron bubble!

Fill the pot while fire doth burn
As each against the rest we turn!
Intrude in every undertaking,
Using laws of our own making;
Hand-in-hand the State and we,
About this sacred cauldron see!

Double, double, toil and trouble,
Fire burn and cauldron bubble!

Mix the potion, stir it well, 
While chanting now the magic spell:
The words which hold you in our thrall
are "PUBLIC INTEREST"; "GOOD OF ALL"!
Your fetters now by US are wound,
Bewitched, you are by "duty" bound!

Double, double, toil and trouble,
Fire burn and cauldron bubble!

Slips of yew and thorns of rose,
This is how our power grows!
Oh what a stew we will create
While you pay homage to the State!
So stir the pot and share the blame;
We're ALL the Keepers of the Flame!