Slash and burn


Our forests are precious beyond imagination. Forests regulate the climate and host an extraordinary array of plants and animals. Years ago I wrote ‘Slash and burn’: an indictment against the destruction of the rainforest in Brazil.

To a greedy few, forests are just land, waiting to become pastures, plantations, or roads; sources of timber, rubber, or minerals. Unprecedented threats by a ruthless industry backed by Bolsonaro’s government…

That’s why I decided to launch a new version of ‘Slash and burn’. With the help of NunoW (guitars), Chris Bouchard (drums) and Jean Lui Toudou (bass) we created a new stage for singer Peter Hendriks.

Enjoy this new rocky performance. If you care, please do share.

There’s a jungle out there
Balanced and unaware

Cars and railroads scar the face of planet earth

There’s a jungle out there
Unaware

Snakes and lizards, spidermonkeys
Parrots, dolphins, frogs and butterflies

Poison in the air
Scares the birds and feathers wear
Air with smoke which makes it hard to breathe
Fly for life, not knowing where to go
True victims of pure greed

Soil turns into dust
Make the Goeldi’s monkeys flee
Agriculture, pesticides and more
Habitat destroyed until the core
True victims of pure greed

Rivers that run dry
Are the cause of fish to die
Native people forced to leave their homes
Fill the slums, accepting all that comes
True victims of pure greed

Slash and burn the forest we don’t own
Disrespect the gift we got on loan

Slash and burn the forest we don’t own
Disrespect the gift we got on loan

Slash and burn the forest we don’t own
Disrespect the gift we got on loan

(Lyrics: Justus, vocals: Peter Hendriks)