Oct 21, 2025

Swear Allegiance To Whatever Flag They Offer


Mike + The Mechanics
Mike + The Mechanics (1985)
The debut album from the band started by Genesis guitarist and bassist Mike Rutherford was released forty years ago today.  The two biggest hits on this record were All I Need Is A Miracle and Silent Running.  They're both solid songs, but the latter is my favorite of the two.

Silent Running features Paul Carrack on lead vocals.  He sang lead on hit songs for several bands, including the 1975 Ace song How Long and the 1981 Squeeze song Tempted.  He would go on to sing lead on The Living Years three years after this album was released.
Take the children and yourself
And hide out in the cellar
By now the fighting will be close at hand
Don't believe the church and state
And everything they tell you
Believe in me, I'm with the high command

Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?
Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?

There's a gun and ammunition
Just inside the doorway
Use it only in emergency
Better you should pray to god
The father and the spirit
Will guide you and protect from up here

Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?
Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?

Swear allegiance to the flag
Whatever flag they offer
Never hint at what you really feel
Teach the children quietly
For some day sons and daughters
Will rise up and fight while we stood still

Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?
Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?