Get 'Em out by Friday

Aus der vierten Genesis-LP “Foxtrot”, aufgenommen im August/September 1972 in den Islands Studios, London, produziert von David Hitchcock und veröffentlicht am 6. Oktober 1972. Die Cover-Gestaltung ist von Paul Whitehead.

Hier das Stück live gespielt von einer fabelhaften Genesis-Tribute-Band (unglaublich, wie genau sie Sound und Bühnenbild des Originals getroffen haben), mit einer launigen Einleitung von "Peter Gabriel".

Thema des Songs ist eine futuristische, sozialkritische Story, die in der Gegenwart einsetzt und im Jahr 2012 endet. Es geht um Ausquartierung von Mietern durch neue Eigentümer und genetische Kontrolle durch Privatfirmen. Vielleicht gibt es Anklänge an die Philemon & Baucis-Episode in Goethes "Faust II" (5. Akt), in der wiederum das Problem der "enclosures" und der ursprünglichen Akkumulation aufscheint (dazu Karl Marx, Das Kapital I, 24. Kapitel).

Die Lyrics stammen von Peter Gabriel:

John Pebble of Styx Enterprises

"Get 'em out by Friday! You don't get paid till the last one's well on his way. Get 'em out by Friday! It's important that we keep to schedule, there must be no delay."

Mark Hall of Styx Enterprises (otherwise known as "The Winkler")

"I represent a firm of gentlemen who recently purchased this house and all the others in the road. In the interest of humanity we've found a better place for you to go, go-woh, go-woh."

Mrs. Barrow (a tenant)

"Oh no, this I can't believe ! Oh Mary, they're asking us to leave !"

Mr. Pebble

"Get 'em out by Friday! I've told you before, 's good many gone, if we let them stay. And if it isn't easy, you can squeeze a little grease and our troubles will soon run away."

Mrs. Barrow

"After all this time, they ask us to leave, and I told them we could pay double the rent. I don't know why it seemed so funny, seeing as how they'd take more money. The winkler called again, he came here this morning, with four hundred pounds and a photograph of the place he has found. A block of flats with central heating. I think we're going to find it hard."

Mr. Pebble

"Now we've got them! I've always said that cash cash cash can do anything well. Work can be rewarding. When a flash of intuition is a gift that helps you excel-sell-sell-sell."

Mr. Hall

"Here we are in Harlow New Town, did you recognise your block across the square, over there. Sadly since last time we spoke, we've found we've had to raise the rent again, just a bit."

Mrs. Barrow

"Oh no, this I can't believe ! Oh Mary, and we agreed to leave."

(A passage of time – ein Zeitsprung)

18/9/2012 T.V. Flash on all Dial-A-Program Services

This is an announcement from Genetic Control:

"It is my sad duty to inform you of a four foot restriction on humanoid height."

Extract from conversation of Joe Ordinary in Local Puborama

"I hear the directors of Genetic Control have been buying all the properties that have recently been sold, taking risks oh so bold. It's said now that people will be shorter in height, they can fit twice as many in the same building site. (They say it's alright). Beginning with the tenants of the town of Harlow, in the interest of humanity, they've been told they must go, told they must go-go-go-go."

Sir John De Pebble of United Blacksprings International

"I think I've fixed a new deal, a dozen properties - we'll buy at five and sell at thirty four, some are still inhabited, it's time to send the winkler to see them, he'll have to work some more."

Memo from Saint Peter of Rock Development Ltd.

With land in your hand, you'll be happy on earth.

Then invest in the Church for your heaven.