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about

"Bread and Circuses" (or bread and games) is a metaphor for a superficial means of appeasement. In the case of politics, the phrase is used to describe the creation of public approval, not through exemplary or excellent public service or public policy, but through diversion; distraction; or the mere satisfaction of the immediate, shallow requirements of a populace, as an offered "palliative." Juvenal decried it as a simplistic motivation of common people. The phrase also implies the erosion or ignorance of civic duty amongst the concerns of the common man.

In modern usage, the phrase is taken to describe a populace that no longer values civic virtues and the public life.

To many across the political spectrum, left and right, it connotes a supposed triviality and frivolity that characterized the Roman Republic prior to its decline into the autocratic monarchy characteristic of the later Roman Empire's transformation about 44 B.C

lyrics

BREAD & CIRCUSES words/music: bill mallonee

Old man wipes a sweaty brow, with a work shirt he had on
"one more shovelful," he said, "and that should get 'er done."
"All these new arrivals; that never have their say..."
A prayer for the soul's repose...and then he walked away

chorus #1:
Empires die at midnight...ah, don't look so undone
you can't we did not have us; one hell of a good run
for those bread and circuses...bring 'em on
going...going...going...gone

type setter hit the printin' press, and he rode that thing till dawn
clothe us all with hollow words...leave us naked in the storm
He said, "You know i started out this enterprise, selling door to door
I poured it out like strong drink...Now they all come back for more."

yeah open the store house, let's see what's left in there.
My, my how the foundations, seemed to vanish in thin air
who put these locks upon our hearts, who put them on our hands?
who made us so afraid, to help the fellowman?

what could change the tide, prevent such sad out come?
i'm gonna get down on my knees and ask the Lord
to show me how to love
best to go down swinging, best to go down slow
still, it was such a nice place...i'm gonna hate to see it go...

chorus #2
Empires die at midnight...now there's some sad poetry my friend
drowning in it's own greed...rigor mortis settin' in.
Empires die at midnight...ah, don't look so sullen
you can't we did not have us; one hell of a good run
for those bread and circuses...bring 'em on
going...going...going...gone

credits

from "BEATITUDE" Bill Mallonee & Vigilantes of Love (Summer 2013), released June 7, 2013
Bill Mallonee: guitars, vocals
Kevin Heuer: drums
Bert Shoaff: bass

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Bill Mallonee

Bill Mallonee is an Americana artist w/ 80 plus albums over a 30 year career. Voted by Paste Music Magazine #65 in their "Top 100 Living Songwriters" poll. He was the
founding member of Vigilantes of Love. He has worked with Mark Heard, Buddy Miller, Emmylou Harris, & Peter Buck from REM.
His most recent work, "Lead On, Kindly Light" is a 23song double Cd released Feb 2020. ... more

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