(Thanks to Anthony Mack for his extensive production work. Thanks to Dave Newhall for his musical expertise. Thanks to Susan Mack for her house (and food).)
Music by someone who would have been wise to copyright the tune.
That
old Pledge of Allegiance it needed something more
Though
it seemed to be working for sixty-something years
The
Nation had McCarthy. The Nation had great fears
The
politicians sensed it. Hey, how could they refuse
They
had the Pledge of Allegiance needs some old religion blues
The
world was filled with danger. Got worse with every hour.
The
people put the call in to Dwight D. Eisenhower
He
had to save the children. The daddies and the mommies
They
all needed protection from those scheming, evil commies
At
least that’s what they fed us. It couldn’t be a ruse
They
had the Pledge of Allegiance needs some old religion blues.
They
ran it through the Congress. Each colleague gave a nod
Well
damn the Constitution. This country needs some God
We
know when doing battle, in all the different fights
One
can’t be burdened with reminders of the Bill of Rights
With
Him there on our side there ain’t no way we’ll ever lose
They
had the Pledge of Allegiance needs some old religion blues
The
atheists are coming! That was the common shout
They
may think that they’re clever, but we know what they’re about
We
all know quite precisely just exactly what they’re doin’
We’re
not about to let them bring the country into ruin
It’s
bad enough with Catholics, and Mormons and the Jews
They
had the Pledge of Allegiance needs some old religion blues
This
country is the greatest, and never have we faltered
It
didn’t take so long to get that defective Pledge altered
And
now that we have done it – with God here on our side
It’s
freedom of religion as long as God you choose
They
had the Pledge of Allegiance needs some old religion blues
No
life, no direction. Tried some introspection
That
led to detection. I’d just try election
Now
... But how?
No
thoughts, quite inane. No looks, awfully vain
Some
think a bit insane. And with no campaign
I
... Still thought I’d try
I
can give a lot of maybees. I can shake hands and kiss babies
I
know how to win I must confess
Ramble,
prattle, babble, chatter; Gossip, blab, it doesn’t matter
Long
as I just end it with “God Bless.”
Sure
I sugarcoat. Deny what I wrote
I
lie and misquote. But I get the vote
Amounts
... Are what counts
I
love big events. Dinners, circus tents
Not
one who resents. Peddling influence
‘Cause
there ... I’m still fair
I
can give a great oration. Just by saying education
Is
sure one revolting horrid mess.
And
‘cuz we’re running out of time. I’m gonna be real tough on crime.
Death
penalty – yeah! And God Bless.
To
be Chief of State. Tough office feel the weight
But
power makes it great. Like with Watergate
Spies
... And some lies
No
rest; all’s a hurry. Each day built on fury
But
still there’s no worry. Untruth to a jury
Is
... Just my biz
Iran
contras get some arms. Price supports to my friends’ farms
I
can use the law with such finesse
Secret
trysts in the Rose Garden. And the presidential pardon
Just
don’t matter when I say ... God Bless. God Bless. God Bless.
It’s
frightful, surreal, grotesque and absurd
They
sometimes speak of him with just one word
Like
Charlie Parker, He’s known as Byrd
Here
is the lowdown, here are the facts
He’s
not quite the same as that man with the sax
Still
he makes music just follow his tracks
But
stay on the side where there are no blacks
He’s
a Senator represents all of his state
Keeps
getting elected so he must be great
And
here is the motto he wears on his sleeve
If
they don’t like it, then let ‘em leave
Robert
C. Byrd, you will often hear say
Let
people be free. Let each go rees way
He
is a man for the whole USA
As
long as you’re Protestant, and you’re not gay
And
then last December he asked every Jew
To
join him for prayer on that fine Christmas eve
If
they don’t like it, then let ‘em leave
He’ll
fight for the truth and he’ll fight for what right
He
does inspire and he does unite
The
masses of voters, Christian and white
If
you’re a constituent you must be proud
And
beaming with joy, want to just shout out loud
And
as for the others that all seem to grieve
If
they don’t like it, let ‘em leave
Don’t
be confused by that callous facade
The
way that he’ll clash, the way that he’ll prod
He’ll
befriend any, except if they’re odd
And
heaven forbid if they say there’s no God
He’s
really quite honest of that there’s no doubt
If
you’re not of his faith he’ll just kick you out
That
he’s intolerant he’ll not deceive
Music by Michael Newdow and Dave Newhall
The
air was rather chilly but the sky was bright and sunny
I
smelled a lot of money from the executive airs
Well
something was a-happening. I knew by all the chairs
Press
and judges holding grudges. Man, it was a zoo.
It
was the day the president had the inauguration
Of
course, I didn’t see it ‘cause I had no invitation
And
yet that didn’t stop me from a joyous celebration
Until
I heard a minister in horrid violation
Of
the document I love – you know that great old Constitution
The
one that won’t allow one itsy-bitsy diminution
Of
all the rights that to each individual inures
For
tyranny from government man, it provides the cures
So
I sure was offended and I felt it was sure odd
To
hear at that inauguration prayers made to god
It’s
clear that it cannot be constitutional behavior
But
that’s what we were told, and you know we were told it twice
For
Muslims, Jews and Atheists, you know that isn’t nice
But we all will pay the price. It is really quite
concise.
A slice of vice that does suffice. An imprecise way
to entice.
You
know that it’s illegal from a governmental perch
If
you need your religion get your booty into church
Knowing
how religion in the government can be
A
platform from which leaders trample on equality
So
staying in DC I checked out congressional ways
And
means by which our legislators start each of their days
It
seems they take the tax dollars that each of us must pay
To
have religious men and women stand around and pray
They
act like it’s important but you really ought to know
That
hardly any of them ever take the time to show
And
right behind the dais they have what they surely must
It’s
chiseled in the wall – the motto that “In God we Trust”
You
ask whatever happened to our prized religious freedom
Of
principles, what made you think our legislators need ‘em?
Such
an strange idea makes me just burst right out in laughter
These
are our officials who know there’s no everafter
They
talk of God’s wrath but it seems that they don’t really fear it
And
they have no idea what the hell is a Holy Spirit
So
when you see the righteousness they’re always running by us
You
really ought to wonder if they really are so pious
And
when they try to shove their holy values down your throat
There
are a bunch of factors of which you should sure take note
Like just what does each promote. Besides a way to
get your vote.
They gloat, misquote and then demote. And sugarcoat the things they
smote
This
government we can’t let any Dick or Jane besmirch
If
you need your religion get your booty into church
Democracy
is wonderful, it’s one of man’s best tools
For
progress seems progressive when the majority rules
But
we surely aren’t fools when we maintain within our sights
The
sanctity of upholding individual rights
And
we all have the right to have a government that’s free
Of
any kind of dogma that is made religiously
Religion
is perhaps the world’s number one divider
So
let’s not let a single citizen be an outsider
Because
ree holds a view that’s different from all of rees neighbors
Their
god may be quite wonderful but he sure rattles sabers
Let’s
get him off our money and remove him from our pledge
The
only thing he’s doing there is driving in a wedge
This
country surely has no shortage of denominations
To
count them all would take some PhD’s best computations
And
this diversity is what has given us our riches
So
let’s get rid of what has been the cause of many gliches
I’m
talking about any view that is ecclesiastic
Our
framers had the formula that’s worked out quite fantastic
You
go your way, I’ll go mine. Let government forsake
Opinions
on religion. There are none that it should take
It can’t say what’s real or fake. No more burning at
the stake.
Don’t make an ache. They must awake and shake from their minds what’s
opaque.
No
one’s saying meaning to life’s not a worthy search
But
if you need religion get your booty into church
Get
your heavy-duty, tutti-fruity, always snooty, filled with coutie booty into
church
Music – Composer unknown
When
I first saw the Bill of Rights, I sure had some sleepless nights
For
it struck a sinful chord to see they’d left out the Lord
There’s nothing greater than the creator
Now
I am a bit irate. What’s the deal with church and state?
When
I first saw the Bill of Rights, I sure had some sleepless nights
I
felt we were in the lurch without some established church
I give a nod to Nature’s god
There’s nothing greater than the creator
Now
it’s time to set this straight. What’s the deal with church and state?
When
I first saw the Bill of Rights, I sure had some sleepless nights
For
I thought it was agreed that Commandments we all need
All legislation’s from the Ruler of nations
I give a nod to Nature’s god
There’s nothing greater than the creator
Just
how long must we all wait? What’s the deal with church and state?
When
I first saw the Bill of Rights, I sure had some sleepless nights
For
there’s nothing to resist votes cast for an atheist
I just have awe for the Author of supreme Law
All legislation’s from the Ruler of nations
I give a nod to Nature’s god
There’s nothing greater than the creator
Hey,
it’s kind of getting late. What’s the deal with church and state?
When
I first saw the Bill of Rights, I sure had some sleepless nights
Since,
of course, it isn’t fair, To not have a Christian prayer
I won’t dispense with divine Providence
I just have awe for the Author of supreme Law
All legislation’s from the Ruler of nations
I give a nod to Nature’s god
There’s nothing greater than the creator
Now
I’m not feeling so great. What’s the deal with church and state?
When
I first saw the Bill of Rights, I sure had some sleepless nights
For
as much as with the sword our land’s founded on the Lord
It’s not flighty to love the Almighty
I won’t dispense with divine Providence
I just have awe for the Author of supreme Law
All legislation’s from the Ruler of nations
I give a nod to Nature’s god
There’s nothing greater than the creator
We
can’t let our dreams deflate. What’s the deal with church and state?
When
I first saw the Bill of Rights, I sure had some sleepless nights
For
we clearly have a need for the lord above to lead
I’ve been seeing a Supreme Being
It’s not flighty to love the Almighty
I won’t dispense with divine Providence
I just have awe for the Author of supreme Law
All legislation’s from the Ruler of nations
I give a nod to Nature’s god
There’s nothing greater than the creator
We
all need a new debate. What’s the deal with church and state?
Music by Hughie Cannon
Won’t
you play fair, Bill O’Reilly? Won’t you play fair?
What’s
this talk of “no spin?”
I’m
not sure that’s the phrasing I would employ
When
the show’s fixed so that you win
Maybe
from this day forward, for all your guests
Someone
should tell them you don’t care
You
know it’s uncouth to snuff out the truth
Bill
O’Reilly won’t you please play fair?
Won’t
you play fair, Bill O’Reilly? Won’t you play fair?
At
least say what you’re doing
When
they sit in your green room, eating your fruit
Tell
them you will be screwing
Them,
‘cause after taping
Comes
editing, for which the victim should prepare
C’mon,
be a guy, and just admit the lie
Bill
O’Reilly won’t you please play fair?
[Scat]
They
say that in the ratings, you’re doing well
You
surely have some points to spare
I
just hadn’t heard you’d cut every word
Bill
O’Reilly won’t you please play fair?
Won’t
you play fair, Bill O’Reilly? Won’t you play fair?
Your
treatment’s rather harsh
Removing
explanations, claiming you’re right
Just
like you did with Marsh
Will
you now take the credit for what you’ve done
For
soon there’ll be no Senate prayer
G A D F#m B
Bill
O’Reilly won’t you please, I mean it, Billy
Bill
O’Reilly won’t you please, Bill O’Reilly won’t you please
Bill
O’Reilly won’t you please play fair?
Hey,
you played fair, Bill O’Reilly, Hey, you played fair
This
time the show ran live
He
didn’t cut my words out, He was a gent
I
swear that ain’t no jive
Two
people got their points in, they did converse
With
kindness and respect to share
The
show may now flop, But still don’t you stop
Bill
O’Reilly won’t you please
I’m
here down on my knees
While
you’re on the Marquees
The
next show I may freeze
Or
maybe even seize,
But
still I like your cheese
And
all your expertise
You
put your guests at ease
Bill
O’Reilly won’t you please play fair?
Some
believe it is an eyesore that we have to nix
Other
folks get pleasure from it; they think all is great
But
the first ones find offense and say, “Keep church from state”
Well,
the ones who want it there, Say that it is only fair
For
it to remain, and they’re euphoric
They
say there should be no fears, It’s been there so many years
That
the truth is that it’s just historic
It’s
just not history. Can’t everybody see? I’m really not litigious
But,
heck, I’m at a loss. Perhaps they’ve hit the sauce?
The
thing up there – you know it’s called a cross
And
that’s religious
The
Supreme Court heard a case: Lynch v Donnelly
Deep
in winter, white with snow, sidewalks rather iced
There
was that depiction of the baby Jesus Christ
Mary
there with all her charms. Baby Jesus in her arms
In
the sky a light quite meteoric
Everybody
ought to know, Things from oh so long ago
Clearly
are considered things historic
It’s
just not history. Can’t everybody see? I’m really not litigious
But
now I’m in a bind. I’d like to just be kind
But
has the Supreme Court lost its mind?!?
Cause
that’s religious
E
pluribus unum was a motto chosen well
Yet
one day it disappeared, Why was that? Pray tell.
Well
it seems our leaders felt it was best to declare
That
our Constitution should come second after prayer
With
the people all agog. Referencing the Decalogue
Congressmen
proclaimed so categoric
“In
God We Trust” – can’t you see? Comes to us from F. Scott Key
It’s
a phrase that’s just purely historic
It’s
just not history. Can’t anybody see? I’m really not litigious
Was
Congress smoking weed? Perhaps strung out on speed?
Or
maybe their folks liked to interbreed
Cause
that’s religious.
Music by Michael Newdow and Dave Newhall
My
god is in my soul. He fills my heart with gladness.
He
takes away the sadness. My god is in my soul.
Of
malice I have not a whit. Would never say, “You atheist piece of sh--.”
God
makes my life so full and rich. Share it with me “you [dumb] son of a bi---.”
My
god says to be good. Compassion is a blessing.
And
so I am confessing. My god says to be good.
He’s
taught me lessons I learned well. And “you should f---ing go to hell.”
But
I’ll learn better if I can. I’m not “the idiest most stupidest man.”
My
god instills in me, a strong need to show kindness
Toward
evil I have blindness, my god instills in me.
Above
god nothing can surpass. If “you have a wild hair up your a--.”
Until
these thoughts you’ve mastered, you be an “imbicilic b-----d.”
My
god has shown me light. To everyone I’m facing.
I’ll
always be embracing. My god has shown me light.
I’m
thinking every minute, “There is a hell, and you will be in it.”
My
god does make me smile, while “you’re disgusting and vile.”
I’ll
always love my god. And serve him every moment.
I
won’t let anger foment. I’ll always love my god.
For
his love I am lusting. And yet, “you’re just disgusting.”
Could
I leave his fold? No, never, “I hope you burn in hell forever.”
There
is no love that is greater. “You are a traitor.”
Godless
life I pity it. Choose that, “You’re an idiot.”
God’s
love is so true. “You better change your go----n view.”
I
praise god and praise him often. Don’t want “one more nail in the coffin.”
With
god life will never worsen. And, “You’re a horrible person.”
In
my heart I know what’s true. There are “pieces of garbage like you.”
Through
my travails thin and thick. “I think you’re really sick.”
To
Him nothing can compare. “I hope you have strong asbestos underwear.”
I
do love him to the core. “You are a stupid whore.”
He’s
been Lord since time began, and, “You’re a sick man.”
He
spreads love and he spreads grace to each “f---ing unpatriotic f---face.”
My
life I pray he’ll approve, “If you don’t like it here, move.”
Love
and glory fill my soul. “You’re one giant a-----e.”
I’ll
always love my god. I’ll always love my god.
I’ll
always love my god.
Music by unknown composer
Echo
Song
Written
By: Unknown
Copyright
Unknown
Oh,
you can't sue the Congress
If
the case is moot
'Cause
if it’s moot
There
ain’t no suit
Oh
you can't sue the Congress if the case is moot
'Cause
if it’s moot there ain’t no suit
I
just can’t believe they’ve whored no more.
Oh,
you can't sue the Congress
If
the case ain’t ripe
'Cause
if it ain’t ripe
They
say it’s tripe
Oh,
you can't sue the Congress if the case ain’t ripe
'Cause
if it ain’t ripe they say it’s tripe
I
just can’t believe they’ve whored no more.
Oh,
you can’t sue the Congress
When
they got the Lord
‘Cause
they’re assured
He
can’t cause discord
‘Cause
they’re assured he can’t cause discord
I
just can’t believe they’ve whored no more.
Oh,
you can't sue the Congress
As
an institution
With
its prostitution
Of
the Constitution
Oh
you can't sue the Congress as an institution
With
its prostitution of the Constitution
I
just can’t believe they’ve whored no more.
Oh,
you can sue the Congress
As
we all have seen
Cause
they must come clean
When
they intervene
Oh
you can sue the Congress as we all have seen
Cause
they must come clean
When
they intervene
I
just can’t believe they’ve whored no more.
Dear Mr. Newdow,
On behalf of the Harvard Law
School Forum and the Harvard Secular Society, it is our privilege and honor to
invite you to address the Harvard student body during the 2002-2003 academic
year.
The Forum was founded
immediately after World War II by returning veterans who wanted to expand the
visions of their law school classmates. Our distinguished guests have included
Carl Sagan, Rudolph Giuliani, Martin Luther King, Jr., Nadine Strossen, Harry
Truman, Jimmy Carter, Thurgood Marshall, Eleanor Roosevelt, Malcolm X and
Yitzak Rabin. We hope that we may add your name to this list.
Carl
Sagan, Rudolph Giuliani, Martin Luther King, Mike Newdow
Names
that flow together like the rivers as they flow into the sea
Carl
Sagan, Rudolph Giuliani, Martin Luther King, Mike Newdow
Who’s
the clown that thought that ree could put those losers on a list with me.
Gosh,
you know my mother’s gonna brag to everybody in her phone book
And
with every stranger that she meets she’ll tell the whole history
For
Carl Sagan, Rudolph Giuliani, Martin Luther King, Mike Newdow
An
audience at Harvard well you can’t take that lightly
It
makes your armpits ooze and all your sphincters squeeze tightly
So,
Mom, just go ahead you know you’re right to smile brightly as can be
Harry
Truman, Thurgood Marshall, Nadine Strossen, Malcolm X, Mike Newdow
Now
we’re talking major figures. People with names everybody knows
Harry
Truman, Thurgood Marshall, Nadine Strossen, Malcolm X, Mike Newdow
Over
many centuries you watch as each one’s reputation grows.
When
you think of people who are legends and who change the world forever
There
are not too many who last more than say a dozen years or two
But
Harry Truman, Thurgood Marshall, Nadine Strossen, Malcolm X, Mike Newdow
I’m
here now in the footsteps of that guy, Jimmy Carter
Who
just got a Nobel and tho’ I’m sure he’s much smarter
I’ve
watched him and it seems he worked a whole lot harder than you have to do.
Who
can know what they were thinking then
What
ideas were cast among those men
Plans
resolved, then analyzed again
What
did they hope we’d be?
Every
day the mornings turned to nights
Filled
with dreams, and arguments and fights
For
a land where the people hold the rights
For
a land of the free
We
are here joined as a nation
And
we stand righteous and tall
We
are America
With
Liberty and Justice for All
Look
around, and tell us what you see
An
ideal of opportunity
Can
we really find the harmony
That
reflects how we care
In
the sage words written long ago
Principles
they planted so we’d know
That
if nurtured we would surely grow
Filled
with riches to share
If
another citizen you meet
On
a mountain or a city street
Take
his hand for there is no retreat
After
we’ve come this far.
We
can’t know the future we’re to face
But
it’s clear we’ll handle it with grace
Every
creed and religion and each race
Proudly
says who we are.