I usually stick to musicals when I’m writing songs, but … well, you know, the zeigeist, and this one has been wriggling its way out of my brain for the past few days. The bridge, in case you don’t recognize it, is a bit of a paraphrase of this line from the Declaration: “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
Music and lyrics by Charlie Gilbert
all rights reserved
Last time I checked,
A song couldn’t save the world.
Saving the world takes people,
People like you and I.
Last time I checked,
A song couldn’t save the country,
But this time feels different.
Yes, now could be different,
And since this time is different,
It’s crucial we try.
Count every vote,
Honest and clean,
Just like it says in Amendment Fifteen.
Honor the words our ancestors wrote.
Save our republic!
Count every vote.
Bring us no kings,
Crown us no crowns.
We’ve had enough of these fascists and clowns!
How their hypocrisy sticks in my throat!
Here’s a solution:
Count every vote.
Our government gets its just powers
From the consent of the governed,
And we do not consent.
No, we cannot consent.
We are deeply discontent,
Which is why our demand
Is the law of the land, namely:
Count every vote.
Tally each sum.
Don’t jigger the figures or do something dumb!
Don’t let the oligarchs screw us and gloat!
Save our republic!
Count every vote!
Count every vote.
Confirm the amount.
And make sure there’s plenty,
Plenty to count!
Last time I checked,
A song couldn’t save the world.
Saving the world takes people,
People like you and I.
Last time I checked,
A song couldn’t save the country,
But this time feels different.
Yes, now could be different,
And since this time is different,
I thought I would try!
