Civilization (or civilisation) is a sometimes controversial term that has been used in several related ways. Primarily, the term has been used to refer to the material and instrumental side of human cultures that are complex in terms of technology, science, and division of labor. Such civilizations are generally hierarchical and urbanized. In a classical context, people were called "civilized" to set them apart from barbarians, while in a modern-day context, "civilized peoples" have been contrasted with primitive peoples.
There is a tendency to use the term in a less strict way, to mean approximately the same thing as "culture" and therefore, the term can more broadly refer to any important and clearly defined human society.[citation needed] Still, even when used in this second sense, the word is often restricted to apply only to societies that have attained a particular level of advancement-especially the founding of cities.
The level of advancement of a civilization is often measured by its progress in agriculture, long-distance trade, occupational specialization, a special governing class and urbanism. Aside from these core elements, a civilization is often marked by any combination of a number of secondary elements, including a developed transportation system, writing, standardized measurement, currency, contractual and (tort-based) legal systems, characteristic art and architecture, mathematics, enhanced scientific understanding, metallurgy, political structures, and an astronomical understanding.
Each morning a missionary advertise with neon sign
He tells the native population that civilization is
fine
And three educated savages holler from a bongo tree
That civilization is a thing for me to see
So bongo, bongo, bongo I don’t want to leave the congo
Oh no no no no no
Bingle, bangle, bungle I’m so happy in the jungle I
refuse to go
Don’t want no bright lights, false teeth, doorbells,
landlords
I make it clear
That no matter how they coax him
I’ll stay right here
I looked through a magazine the missionary’s wife
concealed
(Magazine? What happens?)
I see how people who are civilized bang you with
automobiles
(You know you can get hurt that way Daniel)
At the movies they have to pay many coconuts to see
(What do they see Danny?)
Uncivilized pictures that the newsreels take of me
So bongo, bongo, bong he don’t want to leave the congo
Oh no no no no no
Bingle, bangle, bungle he’s so happy in the jungle he
refuse to go
Don’t want no penthouse, bathtub, streetcars, taxis
Noise in my ear
So no matter how they coax him
I’ll stay right here
They hurry like savages to get aboard an iron train
And though it’s smoky and crowded they’re too civilized
to complain
When they’ve got two weeks vacation they hurry to
vacation grounds
(What do they do Danny)
They swim and they fish but that’s what I do all year
round
So bongo, bongo, bongo I don’t want to leave the congo
Oh no no no no no
Bingle, bangle, bungle I’m so happy in the jungle I
refuse to go
Don’t want no jailhouse, shotguns, fish hooks, golf
clubs
I’ve got my spear
So no matter how they coax him
I’ll stay right here
They have things like the atom bomb
So I think I’ll stay where I “om”
(1st VERSE)
Stand in line as we march to the drums of the east,
Paralyzed and possesed by crusadors deceased,
Lost in the silence, the call from the turbulent times.
Bound by the science that lives on... that lives on the wise.
(CHORUS x2)
The beating of a million drums.
The fire of a million guns.
The mother of a million sons.
(2nd VERSE)
Lost in the silence, they bow to the call of the east.
Tantalized and seduced by the demons released.
Ears to the ground by the name of the merciless guide (sky).
Onto the fire that burns in the all seeing eye.
(CHORUS x2)
Bridge
Somewhere between the darkness and light
The faces all glow but it's not too bright
Civilization, it's all about knives and forks
Isn't she here? What time is it now?
Is this the right place? Do I fit with her crowd?
I'm gonna be a civilized man someday
Part of me wants to jump and shout
Part of me wants to tear it down
I thought you might prefer the Cabernet
Civilization, it's all about sex
Havin' a ball in a padded banquet
I'm gonna be that really cool guy someday
The waiter looks me over
Would you like cream or sugar?
I don't know, what was I supposed to say
She wonders if I'll notice
I should have brought some roses
Her plate is full, she hasn't eaten all day
Glasses collect, we order some booze
She looks at me, I stare at her shoes
Mature situations, maybe a broken heart
Maybe I ought to pay the bill
Maybe she thinks I never will
A million things that cross a woman's mind
Just be yourself, well that's what they say
And I barely know who I was yesterday
I'm gonna be that civilized guy someday
Good friends and conversations, the rise and fall of nations
A moments glory and they've had their day
And on my high school folder, I drew a big gorilla
Something familiar, something far, far away
Somewhere between the darkness and light
She touches my hand, she don't seem to mind
All alone deep inside your mind
There’s a pain that is real
So hard to define
Look around it’s there for you to see
How I wish you were here with me
Civilisation
The grand design
Is so very only
Way beyond all your reasoning
There you’ll find a better day
And a better way
When the road is so long and divides
When you cower in fear
Nowhere to hide
Look around it’s there for you to see
How I wish you were here with me
Civilisation
Like winter’s breeze
Is so very cold
Way beyond all your conditioning
There you’ll find a better day
And a better way
So when your search for inner peace
Becomes much more than you’ve bargained for
All you long for is release
So in the hope that all is lost
The sky will get so much clearer now
All you need is guidance there
So you shall see
Civilisation
The grand design
Is so old yet alive
Yet it’s so very cold
Way beyond all your reasoning
There you’ll find
A better day
And a better way
When the road is so long and divides
Look around it’s there for you to see
How I wish you were here
How I wish you were here
How I wish you were here
when the sun turned red
when the moon was ours
before the machines wiped our souls
when our hearts stopped pumping
and our minds were dim
this is my new hymn
civilization
claustrophobia
combination
combustible
commandment
community
compliments
complicity
this is my reality
this is my civilization
devotion
devaluation
devious
declaration
degenerate
dimension
destructive
Pushed to the edge
we drive, we drive a wedge
of hate and fear
don't shed a tear
No one to trust
this life, this life's a bust
this hand of greed
we need to feed
Can't stop the bleeding
these wounds aren't healing
who wants to live
for another day
skies are greying
who is praying
Paralysis of self injection
mortal coil
no protection
disagree
spinless sea
hypocracy
will set you free
in the end
we all bend
no more time
to change your mind
two by two
we'll march through
end the end
you'll die too
Can't stop the bleeding
these wounds aren't healing
who wants to live
for another day
skies are greying
who is praying
First day we make axes of stones
Weapon of wild ones, blood flesh and bones
Second day we got swords of steel
Growing so stronger learning to kill
Third day we became archers
Spitting with death, the cold blood butchers
Fourth day we've found out a powder
The mighty dust to amplify our power!
We shall rise again!
Civilization! Look at me!
Civilization! I am free!
Fifth day we've invented the tanks
Machine guns and mustard gas
Sixth day we've built aviation
To rule in the air, to sow extermination
We dropped the bomb, we washed all away
But next day there were stone axes again!
We shall rise again!
Civilization! Look at me!