Rich Folks Hoax* - An Artist's Distraction

L'Absinthe by Degas (1876)

The other day I was caught up in the morning traffic. Since I do not usually have to be out in the "commuting cycle" I am always stressed about driving in the maddening rush. I reached over and put the CD player on and listened to Rodriguez's album, Cold Fact. 

While looking at the strings of glittering cars heading over the highways, off-ramps and on-ramps like part of an inhuman organism I realised that the song playing was Rich Folk's Hoax. Were we all chasing something that did not exist? Thousands of people charging off to work or to look for work seeking more. When is enough just enough?

"The poor create the rich hoax" sang Rodriguez. How true. 

Rich Folk's Hoax

The moon is hanging in the purple sky 
The baby's sleeping while its mother sighs
Talking 'bout the rich folks
Rich folks have the same jokes 
And they park in basic places

The priest is preaching from a shallow grave 
He counts his money, then he paints you saved
Talking to the young folks 
Young folks share the same jokes
But they meet in older places

So don't tell me about your success
Nor your recipes for my happiness
Smoke in bed
I never could digest
Those illusions you claim to have going

The sun is shining, as it's always done 
Coffin dust is the fate of everyone
Talking 'bout the rich folks
The poor create the rich hoax 
And only late breast-fed fools believe it

So don't tell me about your success
Nor your recipes for my happiness
Smoke in bed
I never could digest
Those illusions you claim to have going

*Rich Folks Hoax lyrics by Sixto Rodriguez (from the album Cold Fact)
Listen to the original song here.