Unconsciously She Clips Their Little Wings

I had just been doing some work with a City Council who were determined to help their poor (whether they wanted help or not). We had talked at some length about Schumacher's first principle of aid - 'If people do not wish to be helped - leave them alone' - but was not sure that they had really heard me. It was just such a long way from their world!

When I got home I picked up the Ipod and the dog and went walking. When I walk I often just select 'shuffle songs' and enjoy whatever pops up. The first song was 'Mother Glasgow' by Hue and Cry and it just resonated - even though I only understand parts of it. (Can anyone shed light on the second verse?)

Mother Glasgow

In the second city of the Empire
Mother Glasgow watches all her weans
Trying hard to feed her little starlings
Unconsciously she clips their little wings

Mother Glasgow's succour is perpetual
Nestling the Billy and the Tim
I dreamt I took a dander with St. Mungo
To try to catch a fish that could nay swim

Among the flightless birds and sightless starlings
Father Glasgow knows his starlings well
He won't make his own way up to heaven
By waltzing all his charges in to hell

And the tree
And the fish
And the bird
And the bell…

Let Glasgow Flourish!