Asian Dub Foundation’s terrible vision of Fortress Europe in 2020 was released in early 2003.  The lyrics make chilling reading a decade and a half later.

It was something of an instant classic that burnt itself out with one too many jump around sessions at leftie house parties in college. As clashes and scenes of tear gas flood in from the Hungarian border, the lyrics of the tune are shockingly prescient.

Here they are in full:

Keep bangin’ on the wall Keep bangin’ on the wall Of Fortress Europe

2022, a new European order Robot guards patrolling the border Cybernetic dogs are getting closer and closer Armored cars and immigration officers

A burning village in Kosovo You bombed it out, now you’re telling us go home Machine guns strut on the cliffs of Dover Heads down, people look out, we’re going over

Burnin’ up, can we survive re-entry Past the mines and the cybernetic sentries Safe European homes built on wars You don’t like the effect, don’t produce the cause

The chip is in your head, not on my shoulder Total control just around the corner Open up the floodgates, time’s nearly up Keep banging on the wall of Fortress Europe

Keep banging Keep banging on the wall Of Fortress Europe

We got a right, know the situation We’re the children of globalization No borders, only true connection Light the fuse of the insurrection

This generation has no nation Grass roots pressure the only solution We’re sitting tight ‘Cause asylum is a right

Put an end to this confusion Dis is a 21st century Exodus Dis is a 21st century Exodus

Burnin’ up can we survive re-entry Past the land mines and cybernetic sentries Plane, train, car, ferry boat or bus The future is bleeding coming back at us

The chip is in your head not on my shoulder Total control around the corner Open up the floodgates, time’s nearly up Keep banging on the wall of Fortress Europe

Keep banging Keep banging on the wall Of Fortress Europe

Dis is a 21st century Exodus Dis is a 21st century Exodus

They got a right, listen not to de scaremonger Who doesn’t run when they’re feel the hunger From where to what to when to here to there People caught up in red tape nightmare

Break out of the detention centers Cut the wires and tear up the vouchers People get ready it’s time to wake up Tear down the walls of Fortress Europe

Give this interview with Asian Dub Foundation from 2003 a read too. It covers themes well trotted out today.