Tom Lehrer, 1965
If you visit American city You will find it very pretty Just two things of which you must beware
Don't drink the water and don't breathe the air!
Pollution, pollution! They got smog and sewage and mud
Turn on your tap
And get hot and cold running crud!
See the halibuts and the sturgeons Being wiped out by detergeons Fish gotta swim and birds gotta fly But they don't last long if they try
Pollution, pollution! You can use the latest toothpaste
And then rinse your mouth With industrial waste
Just go out for a breath of air And you'll be ready for Medicare The city streets are really quite a thrill If the hoods don't get you, the monoxide will
Pollution, pollution! Wear a gas mask and a veil Then you can breathe
Long as you don't inhale!
Lots of things there that you can drink
But stay away from the kitchen sink!
Throw out your breakfast garbage and I've got a hunch That folks downstream will drink it for lunch
So go to the city See the crazy people there Like lambs to the slaughter
They're drinking the water
And breathing [cough] the air!
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