Song picture
Business As Usual
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political satire
acoustic folk social commentary political satire western massachusetts oil coal climate change fracking incineration music for social change nuclear energy
Folk singer, social commentary, satire, people's stories, children's music
Hi Folks, The Bard Insurgent here. My comrade D.O. (the Poet Roofer) and I got that handle (The Bard Insurgents) from traveling town to town performing songs and poetry about people's lives. I've been performing since I was 3 years old, cutting my vocal chords on liturgical and classical music. I was a concert soloist as a child, when I wasn't herding cows, throwing hay and shoveling manure. During the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam war, I began writing songs about social change. I left the country in 1970 and my dozen years in other countries, mostly in Africa & South America, have provided a global perspective to my music. My travels helped me realize that people all around the world are essentially the same in their basic life needs and their desires to live peacefully in their communities. These experiences have informed my commitment to working for international understanding as I organize at home. A powerful way to educate and inspire is with music. I tell people's stories, do social commentary with a touch of satire that I hope you enjoy and share with your friends, as well as sing together in the streets and in your living rooms. I also have children's music written for the children in my life with Jacob and Kayla as primary muses. Looking forward to seeing you on the road, Tom
Song Info
Charts
Peak #14
Peak in subgenre #4
Author
Tom Neilson
Rights
Tom Neilson
Uploaded
December 31, 2010
Track Files
MP3
MP3 3.7 MB 128 kbps 3:59
Story behind the song
A response to the billions in bailouts to the financiers and predatory lenders.
Lyrics
If paying taxes is to you a hassle Just do the Geitner, Hillifer, and Daschle Cause if paying taxes is to you contrary You could become a cabinet secretary. It’s business as usual in Washington DC There’s rules for the rich - rules for you and me. If you’re rich they put a billion at your feet If you’re poor they put your feet out in the street. When those corporate financiers belly up financially They get an easy trillion from the US treasury To spend on beaches, bonuses, and spas It’s a given when it’s you who makes the laws. For health care, education, or a home We’ve got that low income chromosome It’s just genetic disposition to be in this position So Congress says leave well enough alone. If they catch me with a J or 2 or 3 They’ll lock me up & throw away the key, But if I steal some oil, Iraqi That’s just US free trade diplomacy.
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