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Legal/Illegal Lyrics by Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger

Best of Broadside 1962-1988: Anthems of the American Underground from the Pages of Broadside Magazine

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Every time you pick up the newspaper
Every time you switch on the TV
Every time you pick up the newspaper
Every time you switch on the TV
You can bet your old boots that at some point you'll see
A high-ranking copper or Tory MP
Calling on all who are British and free
To stand up and defend law and order
It's illegal to rip off a payroll
It's illegal to hold up a train;
But it's legal to rip off a million or two
That comes from the labour that other folk do
To plunder the many on behalf of the few
Is a thing that is perfectly legal
It's illegal to kill off a landlord
Or to trespass upon his estate
But to change a high rеnt for a slum is OK
To condemn two adults and three children to stay
In a hovel that's rottеn with damp and decay
Is a thing that is perfectly legal
If your job turns you into a zombie
It's legal to feel some despair
But don't be aggressive that is if you're smart
And for Christ's sake, don't upset the old apple cart
Remember the boss has your interests at heart
And it grieves him to see you unhappy
If you fashion a bomb in the kitchen
You're guilty of breaking the law
But a bloody great nuclear plant is OK
Though plutonium processing hastens the day
When this tight little isle may be blasted away
Nonetheless, it is perfectly legal
It's illegal if you are a gypsy
To camp by the side of the road
But it's proper and right for the rich and the great
To live in a mansion and own an estate
That was got from the people by pillage and rape
That's what they call a tradition
It's illegal to carve up your missus
Or put poison in your old man's tea
But poison the rivers, the seas and the skies
And poison the mind of a nation with lies
If it's done in the interest of free enterprise
Then it's proper and perfectly legal
It's legal to join a trade union
And to picket is one of your rights
But don't be offensive when scabs cross the line
Be nice to the coppers and keep this in mind:
To picket effectively, that is a crime
Worse than if you had murdered your mother
It's legal to sing on the telly
But they make bloody sure that you don't
If you sing about racists and fascists and creeps
And thieves in high places who live off the weak
And those who are selling us right up the creek
The twisters, the takers, the con men, the fakers
The whole bloody gang of exploiters
Credits
Ewan MacColl

Ewan MacColl

Peggy Seeger

Peggy Seeger

About “Legal/Illegal” by Ewan MacColl

Read the complete lyrics to "Legal/Illegal" by Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger from the album "Best of Broadside 1962-1988: Anthems of the American Underground from the Pages of Broadside Magazine". On Lyrks you can follow along with the full text, explore the artist's discography, and discover related songs. The track is often categorized under Country.

"Legal/Illegal" is performed by Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger. from the album "Best of Broadside 1962-1988: Anthems of the American Underground from the Pages of Broadside Magazine" This page provides the full lyric text for fans who want to sing along, study the songwriting, or compare versions across releases. Lyrks organizes lyrics by artist and song slug so you can bookmark and share a stable URL. Music lyrics help listeners connect with emotion, narrative, and rhythm in a track. Whether you are learning English, researching a favorite chorus, or preparing for karaoke, having accurate line breaks and section labels (verse, chorus, bridge) makes the experience easier. We link to the official artist profile on Lyrks where available, including biography snippets, top songs, and chart placements when we have that data. If you enjoy "Legal/Illegal", explore more songs by Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger using the links below. Chart and trending pages on Lyrks highlight what listeners are searching for this week. For copyright or correction requests, see our DMCA and contact pages.

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Frequently asked questions

"Legal/Illegal" is credited to Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger. Songwriting credits may include additional writers listed on the release; check the credits section on this page for linked collaborators.

"Legal/Illegal" appears on "Best of Broadside 1962-1988: Anthems of the American Underground from the Pages of Broadside Magazine".

Visit the Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger artist page at /artist/ewan-maccoll for biography, popular tracks, and links to more lyric pages.