Invisible People
Citizen Fish Lyrics

Invisible people with invisible hands
There are many people who are not seen and go unnoticed, such as those who hold collection cans.

holding very obvious collection cans
Despite being invisible, many individuals try to draw attention to themselves through obvious methods, such as holding collection cans.

Anonymous people with anonymous jobs
There are many people who work jobs that are not recognized or appreciated.

hurry past for fear of being late for the boss
These individuals often feel the need to rush and never take a break due to the fear of getting in trouble with their boss.

both will say it's not the way I intended to be
The bosses of these anonymous workers often deny any wrongdoing or exploitation, even when it is clear they are taking advantage of their employees.

knowing that the other guy has all he could need
These bosses are aware that their co-workers are struggling financially while they reap all the rewards.

the homeless have got all the time and all of it to share
Homeless individuals often have nothing but their time, which they are willing to share.

the workers have got all the cash and none of it to spare
Workers often earn a lot of money, but they struggle to save and provide for themselves.

Invisible people with invisible feet
There are many people who are not noticed, even when they are walking around and have the capacity to do something meaningful.

taxi cab potential knowing every street
These invisible people may have great potential, such as knowing every street in their town, but their talent goes unrecognized.

Anonymous people with anonymous cars
People with anonymous jobs may also have anonymous cars.

rolling up the windows as they drive on past
They may feel the need to isolate themselves from others and avoid engaging with the world around them.

if these were all your relatives then which one would you feed?
If these anonymous and invisible people were your relatives, would you still choose to ignore them?

would the power you get from money disappear if it was free?
If money were not a limited resource, would people still have the same amount of power and control over others?

isn't it therefore obvious that in this society
It seems clear that our society is structured in such a way that poverty and hunger persist.

there's poverty and hunger due to other people's greed
Many people are suffering from poverty and hunger because others have taken more than their fair share.

Invisible people from invisible homes
Many people are not just invisible, but they also live in homes that are invisible and overlooked by society.

lost the job their rent went up out on their own
Some people lose their jobs and then their housing situation becomes more precarious, causing them to become homeless.

anonymous people with anonymous lives
Some people live lives of anonymity, where their presence is barely noticed.

reliant on superiors to keep them alive
These individuals are often relying on their bosses for survival and may not have any job security.

cos when it comes right down to it the structure is the same
Regardless of how anonymous or invisible someone may be, the underlying structure of society is the same.

control requires acceptance that you have to play the game
For those who want to have any power or control over their own lives, they must accept the rules and standards that society has set in place.

the power of money trickles down decreasing as it goes
Although money can provide power and control, this power and control will decrease as it trickles down from the top of the social hierarchy.

and out there in the rain it would be used on food and clothes
While those at the bottom of the hierarchy may not have much money, they would still use it for essential things like food and clothing.

but social guilt the barrier to giving what is gained
People may feel guilty for having more than others and therefore may not be willing to share and give to those who have less.

to those who have less of it, cuts the last link in the chain
This failure to give and share also contributes to the perpetuation of poverty and hunger in our society.

invisibility comes from being constantly in view
Ironically, some people can be invisible even when they are constantly present because they are not seen for who they truly are.

ignorance is the passive stance of saying it can't be true
Some people will deny the existence of poverty and hunger around them because they are ignorant or believe it can't be true.

reality shapes itself around perceptions of the self
Our reality is often shaped by our own perceptions of ourselves and those around us.

until we really need it we refuse to offer help
It's easy to refuse to help others until we are in a situation where we need help ourselves.

the state that creates homelessness thrives on this attitude
A society that allows for homelessness and poverty to persist also benefits from the existence of this attitude.

until we smash these limitations and take a wider view
We need to break down these barriers and take a more holistic view of poverty and homelessness in society in order to enact real change.