Master Jack (song)

Master Jack is a song written by David Marks (1967) whilst working underground in South Africa’s Free State gold mines. It was performed by Four Jacks and a Jill and reached #1 in South Africa and Canada, #3 on the US adult contemporary chart. The lyrics assert the right of individuals to their own interpretation of the world as "Master Jack" presents it to them. Upon release they were widely taken as a criticism of pro-Apartheid propaganda promulgated by the white minority ruling party... The official origin story, however as related by their female vocalist, "In certain mines the foreman is called 'Master Jack', and the song tells the story of a labourer who works diligently for this master for years and years and then decides to go out on his own and exercise his desires and aspirations as an individual to be something other than a labourer."

Lyrics

 * It's a strange, strange world we live in, Master JackYou taught me all I know and I'll never look backIt's a very strange world and I thank you, Master JackYou took a coloured ribbon from out of the skyAnd taught me how to use it as the years went byTo tie up all your problems and make them look neatAnd then to sell them to the people in the street ...I saw right through the way you started teachin' me nowSo someday soon you could get to use me somehowI thank you very much and know you've been very kindBut I'd better move along before you change my mind ...You taught me all the things the way you'd like them to beBut I'd like to see if other people agree It's all very interesting the way you disguise<BR>But I'd like to see the world through my own eyes<BR><BR>It's a strange, strange world we live in, Master Jack<BR>No hard feelings if I never come back ...<BR>You're a very strange man, aren't you, Master Jack?