Derek Mackie: Ain't No Solar When She's Gone

A modern-day reworking of the Bill Withers classic, Ain’t no Sunshine, celebrating the “wonders” of renewable power generation 

 Ain't no solar when she's gone 

Got no power when she's away 

Harsh reality’s just dawned 

The grid ain't something to be scorned 

Anytime she goes away 

 

Wonder this time where she's gone 

Behind the clouds or close of day 

Thank heaven fossil fuels rock on 

Or this house won’t be no home 

Anytime she goes away 

 And I charge, I charge, I charge, I charge

…. my battery up 

But I get, I get, I get, I get 

…. less juice each time, wassup? 

I know, I know, I know, I know 

…. got hard decisions ahead 

Should I run, I run, I run, I run 

…. the lights or fridge instead 

Oh, ain’t no solar when she’s go-o-one 

Doo…doo…doo…do 

 Now the winter’s come along 

Sun’s real low, her rays so weak 

My solar panels look all wrong 

White and frosty, power long gone 

Next door’s gas heating sure is strong 

 I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope 

…. the Sun’ll shine bright 

And I pray, I pray, I pray, I pray 

…. for an eclipse at night 

Emissions, they say, they say, they say 

…. have left the Planet half-dead 

But I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish 

…. I’d planted trees instead 

 Oooooh, ain't no solar when she's gone 

  And this house just ain't no home  

   Anytime she goes away 

    … dah… dah… dah… da    

     Rain or cloudy, it's so grey 

      … dah… dah… dah… da  

       When it’s dark, ‘bout half the day 

        … dah… dah… dah… da 

        Anytime …. she …. goes…. away 

Derek Mackie is a former geologist with a keen interest in current affairs and a penchant for satire.