Publications are the game
But who's keeping score?
Editors with the keys
Always wanting more
"Your work's not relevant"
They claim with a sigh
While your spirit
Piece by piece, starts to die

Gatekeepers
Mucking gatekeepers
They turn us to weepers
Gatekeepers, mucking gatekeepers
They're the creepers

In pursuit of a job
Where research can take flight
"Come back with more," they say
Holding the spotlight
But it's a catch-22
In the thick of the fight
Left with no choice
But another postdoc, despite

Gatekeepers, mucking gatekeepers
They're the grim reapers
Gatekeepers, mucking gatekeepers
They're the grim reapers

Promotions on the line
But the path is unclear
Deans with their power
Fueling the fear
"You don't have enough citations"
They insist
Neglecting our work
As if it doesn't exist

Gatekeepers, mucking gatekeepers
They're the grim reapers
Gatekeepers, mucking gatekeepers
They're the grim reapers