Ballad of the Builder | rupeindia

You came here uninvited
And built your puny shacks
You made your lives worth living
With countless little hacks
And now you want more dignity
What choice d’you have but me?
I’ll give you what you most desire
When I take your land, for free.
It's politics that robs me
And ties my willing hands,
I’ll bring the wealth of Eden
On these once swampy lands
So please don't bind me tightly 
Unshackle me, I plea
For I’ll make you millionaires 
When I grab your land, for free.
You live in your dingy hovels
With filth up to your knee
When heavens unleash their fury 
Your shelter’s just a tree
All I ask is that you trust me
Why fight, why flee?
I’ll house you in mighty castles
When I take your land, for free.
There are many who condemn me
And mock my glittering hoard 
It's character that robs them
Of things they can't afford
With them you're nowhere 
And where would you rather be?
You want a taste of good things
So give me your land, for free.
I always play by the rules 
And right is what is fair
And since I’m mightier than you
I get the biggest share
When rules hurt me, I change them 
For I rule your land and sea
So unless you want uprooting
Give me your land, for free.
Hussain Indorewala
[with inputs from Shirish Patel] 
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