Peter Gabriel
The Return of the Giant Hogweed
Turn and run
Nothing can stop them
Around every river and canal their power is growing
Stamp them out
We must destroy them
They infiltrate each city with their thick dark warning odour
They are invincible;
They seem immune to all our herbicidal battering
Long ago in the Russian hills
A Victorian explorer found the regal Hogweed by a marsh;
He captured it and brought it home
Botanical creature stirs, seeking revenge
Royal beast did not forget
He came home to London
And made a present of the Hogweed to the Royal Gardens at Kew
Waste no time
They are approaching
Hurry now, we must protect ourselves and find some shelter
Strike by night
They are defenceless
They all need the sun to photosensitize their venom
Still they're invincible;
Still they're immune to all our herbicidal battering
Fashionable country gentlemen had some cultivated wild gardens
In which they innocently planted the Giant Hogweed throughout the land
Botanical creature stirs, seeking revenge
Royal beast did not forget
Soon they escaped, spreading their seed, preparing for an onslaught, threatening the human race
The Dance of the Giant Hogweed
Mighty Hogweed is avenged
Human bodies soon will know our anger
Kill them with your Hogweed hairs
Heracleum mantegazziani
Giant hogweed lives
Advance