A Few Words in Defense of Our Country

Album: Harps and Angels (2008)
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  • I'd like to say
    A few words
    In defense of our country
    Whose people aren't bad
    Nor are they mean
    Now, the leaders we have
    While they're the worst that we've had
    Are hardly the worst
    This poor world has seen

    Let's turn history's pages, shall we?

    Take the Caesars, for example
    Why, with the first few of them
    They were sleeping with their sister, stashing little boys in swimming pools, and burning down the city
    And one of 'em, one of 'em appointed his own horse to be Counsel of the Empire
    That's like vice president or something
    That's not a very good example right now, is it?
    But here's one:
    Spanish Inquisition
    That's a good one
    Put people in a terrible position
    I don't even like to think about it
    Well, sometimes I like to think about it

    Just a few words
    In defense of our country
    Whose time at the top
    Could be coming to an end
    Now, we don't want their love
    And respect at this point's pretty much out of the question
    But in times like these
    We sure could use a friend

    Hitler
    Stalin
    Men who need no introduction

    King Leopold of Belgium, that's right
    Everyone thinks he's so great
    Well, he owned the Congo
    He tore it up too
    Took the diamonds
    Took the silver
    Took the gold
    You know what he left 'em with?

    Malaria

    You know, a president once said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"
    Now it seems like we're supposed to be afraid
    It's patriotic, in fact
    Color-coded
    What we supposed to be afraid of?
    Why, of being afraid
    That's what terror means, doesn't it?
    That's what it used to mean

    You know, it pisses me off a little that this Supreme Court's gonna outlive me
    Couple young Italian fellas and a brother on the Court now too
    But I defy you, anywhere in the world, to find me two Italians as tight ass as the two Italians we got
    And as for the brother
    Well, Pluto's not a planet anymore either

    The end of an empire
    Is messy at best
    And this empire's ending
    Like all the rest
    Like the Spanish Armada
    Adrift on the sea
    We're adrift in the land of the brave
    And the home of the free

    Goodbye
    Goodbye
    Goodbye

    Goodbye Writer/s: RANDY NEWMAN
    Publisher: DOWNTOWN MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

  • Gerry from Columbus, Oh.Brilliant song. Reminds me a little of Alice's Restaurant in its format, but Newman's comments are more biting. His piano playing is always a pleasure. Of course his political stance will offend some, but I can definitely relate to his assessment of Alito and (the late) Scalia. Never met any Italians of that variety. And yes, Pluto's not a planet either.
  • Mississippi Mudd from KanataI can't explain irony or satire. I'm too old and tired and sick and stupid. This song is too scary, since I was hoping to be gone before America. Oh, well... Goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye...
  • John from St. Paul, KsGreat song Tyree? No, It's a Horrible song. Mr. Newman should realize we don't need to try to defend or apologize our great nation. Saying at least our leaders aren't as bad as Hitler or Stallin is a stupid argument. Our country does more for the world than any other nation ever.
  • Tyree from Portland, OrThis is a great song. Love it.
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