R.E.M.

Songwriter: Mike Mills (R.E.M.) Peter Buck Michael Stipe

[Verse 1]
Mr. Richards, your position
Is a messenger pigeon
Left behind you when the camp moved on
We thought that you would listen
But the words had never crystallized
Into a truth that you might own, hey hey

[Chorus]
Mr. Richards, your decision
Pay attention, pay attention

[Verse 2]
Mr. Richards, you're forgiven
For a narrow lack of vision
But the fires are still raging on
The public's got opinions
And these consequences border on
The compound that you razed
Where zealots sang, hey hey

[Chorus]
Mr. Richards, your decision
Pay attention, pay attention

[Verse 3]
So listen, your intention;
Sign the papers, stamp the ribbon
You're mistaken if you think we'll just forget
You can thump your chest and rattle
Stand in front of your piano
But we know what's going on
Yes we know what's going on
We're the children of the choir, hey
And we know what's going on
Mr. Richards, your conviction
Had us cheering in the kitchen
Now the jury's eating pigeon pie
So tell me how is prison?
Have they taught you how to listen?
We've begun to bridge the schism
Pay attention, pay attention

[Chorus]
Mr. Richards, your decision
Pay attention, pay attention

[Outro]
You can thump your chest and rattle
Stand in front of your piano
But we know what's going on
Yes we know what's going on
We're the children of the choir, hey
From the compound fire, hey
And we know what's going on
Yes we know what's going on

R.E.M. were an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry.

Berry quit the band in April 1997, as they were getting together to record demos for the album Up. He was not replaced on a permanent basis, but the band used an assortment of drummers in his place.

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