Energy Now, Energy Then
Energy now , energy then, people using energy again and again
Energy for travel, entertainment,
washing clothes , cold food containment
Yes, energy now compared it to then
sources change again and again and again ….
ENERGY NOW
turn on the TV, CD stereo
to be entertained and let the rhythm flow
through the wires to your home electricity
AC power from the power company
oil, coal or gas incinerated
turning water to steam that’s how it’s generated
steam makes the turbines spin
that’s how the alternating current begins
negative and positive to and fro
energy from electron flow
open the refrigerator microwave the french fried potata
you flip the switch if you need to see
because your wires carry electricity
Energy Then
I’ve salted the meat so it won’t spoil
turn down the lamps, save the whale oil
I’ll hitch up the horses, you’re looking pretty
we’ll ride our buggy into the city
the big tent circus is in town
with trapeze artists and big nose clowns
we’ll eat apples from a canning jar
while I pluck a few notes on this guitar
I’d stay at the circus forever if I could
but tomorrow morning I’ll be splitting wood
wood for the fire , it’s heat energy
yes, heat for my home and my family
In the garage where I work on my car
I know exactly where all my tools are
my horse is healthy and her name is Mabel
I keep what she needs right in the stable
my fuel injectors are calibrated
and new oil keeps the engine lubricated
Mabel pulls the plow around
and then pulls the crop into town
I put old oil in the recycling tank
cause I wouldn’t want it in something I drank
when Mabel poops I don’t criticize her
because her manure is fertilizer
I drive to work and across the nation
I get my fuel at any gas station
In my time horses moved the masses
fueled by grains and a little molasses