Parodies & Lyrics Updates
(Which Side Are You On?) lyrics by D. W. Henderson
Download printable version (revised 1/20/12)
We marched on down to City Hall
To have our grievance read
They sent the cops to drive us out
We're lucky no one's dead
99 to 1, 99 to 1, 99 to 1, 99 to 1
Tax breaks for the billionaires
Cuts to health and schools
The lackeys of the 1%
Are playing us for fools
99 to 1, 99 to 1, 99 to 1, 99 to 1
They've pushed us all up to the wall
Our children's future snatched
We're rising up, we're rising up
And never turning back
99 to 1, 99 to 1, 99 to 1, 99 to 1
( 99 bottles of beer) lyrics by Sandy Pliskin
Download printable version (revised 1/17/12)
Chorus:
99 PER cent of the folks in this land
99 PER cent of us all
You bled us dry, so we occupy
99 PER cent of us all
43 PER cent of the wealth in this land, 43 PER cent of it all
Is in the hands of the 1%, 43 PER cent of it all.
Chorus
400 families in this land, Own more than half of the rest
You bled us dry so we occupy, 99 PER cent of us all.
Chorus
Point three six PER cent of the of the folks in this land
Point three six PER cent of us all
Fund all the campaigns throughout this land
So an occupation's called. (or, So we occupy on Wall [Street]).
Chorus
Betsy Rose© 2008 Download printable version (revised 1/18/12)
Oh beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountains majesty
Above the fruited plain
America America
God shed Her grace on thee
And crown thy good with humanhood
From sea to shining sea
How sad it is to see our country
Wasting precious lives
Invading nations for their oil
And selling war with lies
America America what's happened to our name
Where once you filled the world with hope
Now hearts are filled with shame
We stand as loyal patriots
Our duty now is plain
When corporations buy the votes
And soldiers die in vain
America America we pledge to keep you free
Restore peace and integrity
From sea to shining sea.
(New words ©2001 by Hali Hammer,
Original by Katharine Lee Bates, Samuel A. Ward)
Download printable version (revised 1/20/12) mp3
Oh beautiful for spacious skies - For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain
America, America – Let all of us be free
To spread sister & brotherhood From sea to shining sea
Oh beautiful for native tribes Who welcomed to their fold
The pilgrims who without them
Would have perished from the cold
America, America – Where immigrants have thrived
Beneath the torch of Liberty That we must keep alive
Oh beautiful our heroes proved – Whose honor was their life
The firefighters at the Towers And those who eased the strife
America, America – Never forget the power
Of hearts that held the light of love Even in our darkest hour
Oh beautiful for patriot dream – To worship as we please
The Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, Jew -
The Pagan and the Sikh
America, America – we share our faiths with thee
And all belong to sing your song
From sea to shining sea
And all belong to sing your song
From sea to shining sea
(Les Rice 1950, new lyrics by Mary Nash)
Download printable version (revised 3/26/12)
I've traveled round this country from shore to shining shore
It really makes me wonder the things I heard and saw
I saw a weary worker face each day in fear and pain
Her employer cut her hours, job and pension down the drain
But the banks are made of marble
With a guard at every door
And the vaults are stuffed with silver
That the workers sweated for.
I saw a man who signed a contract so he could modify his loan
Then I heard the banker saying,"We have repossessed your home" (CHORUS)
I saw a weary soldier coming back from the war
I heard the bosses saying, "Got no work for you no more" (CHORUS…soldier)
I saw migrant workers fleeing, the law told them, "You can't stay"
Small farmers lost their harvest - Agribusiness got its way !(CHORUS…migrant)
I saw a laid off worker, he said his sister helped him through
For a year, but that has ended - Now his sister's laid off too (CHORUS…worker)
I saw the ER doctor and the patients in despair
I heard insurance companies saying NO to universal care (CHORUS…people)
I heard a student saying, "I'm fed up with corporate greed
Tax the rich, stop the warfare, then we can have the things we need."
(CHORUS…people)
99% are suffering throughout this mighty land
I believe we'll get together, and together make a stand
Then we'll own those banks of marble
With no guard at every door -
And we'll share those vaults of silver
That the people sweated for.
(The Risin’ of the Moon) new words by Nancy Schimmel
Download printable version (revised 1/17/12)
I’ve read some science-fiction
And I know how to tell
A human from an android,
You know, I learned it well.
If it doesn’t have a navel
It’s an alien, at best
Or else it is an android,
It’s the bellybutton test.
Chorus
It’s the bellybutton test, it’s the bellybutton test,
We need a new amendment with the bellybutton test.
If it doesn’t pass the test
The bellybutton test,
It’s from a lawyer’s office
Or a pterodactyl nest
Don’t ya tell me it’s a person,
It is a thing possessed,
A corporation cannot pass
The bellybutton test.
Chorus
If Chevron is a person,
Would he adopt a child?
He’d expose the kid to benzene!
And wouldn’t that drive you wild?
If BP had a mother,
She’d turn him on her knee,
For being proud and careless
And fouling up the sea.
Chorus
©1915 words James Oppenheim, updated by Sandy Opatow,
music Mimi Farina Download printable version (revised 1/20/12)
As we go marching, marching in the beauty of the day
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts grey
Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses.
For the people hear us singing, bread and roses,
bread and roses.
As we go marching, marching we battle too for men
For they are women's children,
let the mothers speak again.
Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes
Hearts starve as well as bodies, give us bread
but give us roses.
As we go marching, marching, unnumbered women dead,
Go crying though our singing their ancient call for bread.
Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew
Yes, it is bread we fight for but we fight for roses too.
As we go marching, marching, oh people hear our call
For the rising of the women means the rising of us all.
No more the drudge and idler -
ten that toil where one reposes
But a sharing of life's glories, bread and roses,
bread and roses.
New words by Megan Roberts, edited by Nancy Schimmel
Tune: Da Do Ron Ron by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phil Spector
Download printable version (created 5/19/12)
Chevron's plant sitting on our hill
Che chev ron ron ron Che Chev wrong wrong
But will they take care of us if there’s a spill
Che chev ron ron ron Che Chev wrong wrong
Yeah -- they’re on our hill
Yeah -- what if there’s a spill
No, they don’t walk the walk,
Che chev ron ron ron Che Chev wrong wrong
They care for the environment -- that's what they say
Che chev ron ron ron Che Chev wrong wrong
But they're the biggest gas polluters says the EPA
Che chev ron ron ron Che Chev wrong wrong
Yeah -- that’s what they say
Yeah -- says the EPA
No, they don’t walk the walk,
Che chev ron ron ron Che Chev wrong wrong
They say helping communities is their intent
Che chev ron ron ron Che Chev wrong wrong
But their local hire rate is less than seven percent
Che chev ron ron ron Che Chev wrong wrong
Yeah -- it's their intent
Yeah -- less than seven percent
No, they don’t walk the walk,
Che chev ron ron ron Che Chev wrong wrong
They make their money and pollute our air
Che chev ron ron ron Che Chev wrong wrong
But when tax time comes they don’t pay their share
Che chev ron ron ron Che Chev wrong wrong
Yeah -- pollute our air
Yeah -- they don’t pay their share
No, they don’t walk the walk,
Che chev ron ron ron Che Chev wrong wrong
(Don't Fence Me In: music by Cole Porter, orig. lyrics by Robert Fletcher & Cole Porter, new words by Betsy Rose, Hali Hammer)
Download printable version (revised 5/17/12)
Oh give me land, lots of land
Lots of freedom and peace - Don't send that drone
We've got homes to rebuild, we've got children to feed
Don't send that drone
You can sit in your video booth with a trigger
Set off a bomb with a touch of one finger
Never see the sorrow and the pain that lingers
Don't send that drone.
Don't set them loose,
Where they rattle into battle underneath the desert sky
There's no excuse
When they wander, making fodder of the spot they atomize
I want to ride to a ridge needing no defenses
Gaze at the moon with no consequences
Don't look for trouble, that's just common sense - no,
Don't send that Drone!
So give me land lots of land
Lots of freedom and peace - Don't send that drone
We've got homes to rebuild, we've got children to feed
Don't send that drone
You can sit in your video booth with a trigger
Set off a bomb with a touch of one finger
Never see the sorrow and the pain that lingers
Don't send that drone.
(Home on the Range, new words byBetsy Rose)
Download printable version (revised 1/9/12)
Oh give me a home
Where there's no flying drones
And the desert is safe and serene
Where the skies are clear blue
And there nothing in view
That resembles a killing machine
Drones drones go away
This not just a video game
Live people are killed
Real blood's being spilled
And the skies rain destruction all day
Oh give me your hand
Let us walk on this land
Where the deer and the antelope played
And let us ring out
An encouraging shout
For an end to this warfare charade.
Drones drones go away
This not just a video game
Live people are killed
Real blood's being spilled
And the skies rain destruction all day
(Tune: Let My People Go, new words by Hali Hammer)
Download printable version (revsed 1/17/12) • see video
When Egypt was Mubarek's land (fight the status quo)
Oppressed ones took the upper hand (fight the status quo)
Step up, fight back, stay strong and make a stand
Time to take command (fight the status quo)
The Arab Spring spread far and wide (fight the status quo)
As demonstrations swelled in size (fight the status quo) Chorus
When Walker undermined their rights (fight the status quo)
Wisconsin workers won the fight (fight the status quo) Chorus
News spread by e-mail, facebook, tweet (fight the status quo)
As people gathered in the street (fight the status quo) Chorus
We work for rights, for what is fair (fight the status quo)
At Occupations everywhere (fight the status quo) Chorus
So now change comes before our eyes (fight the status quo)
This happens when we organize! (fight the status quo) Chorus
(from Trad. Keep Your Hand on the Plow)
Download printable version (revised 1/20/12)
Paul & Silas were bound in jail
Had no money for to go their bail
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on
Hold on, hold on!
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on!
Paul & Silas began to shout
The jail doors opened & they walked out/Keep…
The only thing that we did wrong
Was stayin’ in the wilderness too long/Keep…
Ain’t but one chain that we can stand
That’s the chain of a hand in hand/Keep…
Freedom’s name is mighty sweet
Black & white are gonna meet/Keep…
We’ve fought jail & violence too
And God’s love has seen us through/Keep…
Got my hand on the freedom plow
Wouldn’t take nothin’ for my journey now/Keep…
(If You Miss Me at the Back of the Bus)
Download printable version (revised 5/17/12)
Words: Dan Howard, Abby Caplin, Ami Goodman
If you miss me in the office today
You can’t find me nowhere
Come on down to the Occupy Camp
I’ll be working right there
I lost a good job at the factory
Now I can’t pay the rent
They drove my family from our home
Now we’re all living in a tent
If you miss me paying fees at the bank,
You can't find me nowhere.
Come on down to the credit union
My deposits are going right there.
If you miss me in the board room
Wearing my suit and tie
Meet me down in the city square
That we’ll all occupy
If you miss me at the university
You can’t find me nowhere
Come on down to the police line
I’m getting my education there
[Shout:] No pepper spray!
If you miss me at the longshore docks
You can’t find me nowhere
Come on down to the picket line
I’ll be hauling right there
If your wages have been recently cut
And your money’s all spent
Come downtown and march with us
We’re the ninety-nine percent
Sarah Ogan Gunning, original lyrics, new lwords by Leslie HassbergDownload printable version (revised 1/17/12)
Chorus
I'm-a gonna occupy, babe of mine (2x)
I'm-a gonna occupy, yes I'm gonna occupy,
I'm-a gonna occupy, babe of mine.
Verses
Poisoned water, earth and air (3x)
Corporations do not care,
So I'm gonna occupy, babe of mine.
Prisons full of poor and black (3x)
They lose their votes and can't fight back,
So I'm gonna occupy, babe of mine.
Hate and bullying are rife (3x)
Another queer kid takes his life,
So I'm gonna occupy, babe of mine.
Health and drug costs on the rise (3x)
The sick go bankrupt to survive,
So I'm gonna occupy, babe of mine.
Muslim neighbors demonized (3x)
Religious freedom must be prized,
So I'm gonna occupy, babe of mine.
Infrastructure in collapse (3x)
The rich must pay their share of tax,
So I'm gonna occupy, babe of mine.
Cops abuse the stop and frisk, (3)
Our fourth amendment rights at risk,
So I'm gonna occupy, babe of mine.
Take a stand, join hands with me,
For human rights and democracy,
Yes, we're gonna occupy, babe of mine.
New words by Charlie King
Download printable version with chords (revised 5/17/12)
Imagine you have healthcare, It's easy if you try
Freedom to choose your doctor, coverage money can't buy
Imagine first class treatment when you're unemployed
Imagine no insurance, no greedy middleman
No premium, no co-pay, a single payer plan
Imagine a long illness and you don't lose your home
You may say I'm a dreamer,
I'm not dreaming by myself
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world can live in health
Can you say "Universal?" I wonder if you can
Now try "Comprehensive". Does that sound like a plan?
It's worked for years in Europe, Canada & Japan (CHORUS)
Words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1964 Schroder Music Company, renewed 1993. Last two verses by Joel Landy,
edited by Nancy Schimmel Download printable version (created 5/14/12)
It isn't nice to block the doorway,
It isn't nice to go to jail,
There are nicer ways to do it,
But the nice ways always fail.
It isn't nice, it isn't nice,
You told us once, you told us twice,
But if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
It isn't nice to carry banners
Or to sit in on the floor,
Or to shout our cry of Freedom
At the hotel and the store.
It isn't nice, it isn't nice,
You told us once, you told us twice,
But if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
We have tried negotiations
And the three-man picket line,
Mr. Charlie didn't see us
And he might as well be blind.
Now our new ways aren't nice
When we deal with men of ice,
But if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
When the corporation bandits
Tanked our economy
Did you say it wasn't proper?
Did you stand for you and me?
You were quiet just like mice,
Now you say we aren't nice
And if that is freedom's price,
We don't mind.
It isn't nice to work for justice
It isn't nice to make demands
Or to gather by the thousands
No matter what the law commands
It isn't nice, it isn't nice
Well, thanks for your advice
And if that is freedom's price,
We don't mind.
(Little Boxes by Malvina Reynolds)
New words by Nancy Schimmel and Claudia Morrow
Download printable version (revised 5/17/12)
Little shelters in the Caymans,
Little shelters made of hanky-panky,
Little shelters in the Caymans,
And we don’t mean grass huts,
These are shelters for corporations
Who don’t think they have enough of them
So they buy up legislators who will give them tax cuts.
Little shelters from taxes
Mitt Romney has quite a few of them,
But they don’t make little shelters
That will fit you and me,
So us little folks pay the taxes
And the big guys get the benefits
So they have more money to subvert democracy.
(Repeat first verse)
By Malvina Reynolds, new 2nd verse by Nancy Schimmel
Download printable version (revised 1/18/12)
CHORUS
Love is something if you give it away,
Give it away, give it away,
Love is something if you give it away,
You end up having more.
It's just like a magic penny,
Hold it tight and you won't have any.
Lend it, spend it, and you'll have so many,
They'll roll all over the floor.
CHORUS
Money doesn't have magic in it,
Things we buy might break in a minute.
Love's a circle, so let's begin it
And bring it to every door.
CHORUS
So let's go dancing til the break of day,
And if there's a piper we can play,
'Cause love is something if you give it away,
You'll end up having more.
Lyrics by Sandy Pliskin Download printable version (revised 1/9/12)
Now's the time to say goodbye to all your companies
Stagnant pay, we have no say, in-e-qua-lity.
Stop the wars! (Echo) Tax the Rich (Echo)
Until you do we'll raise our banners high, high, high.
Now's the time to bring about a fair economy.
BOA (that's Bank of America).
CLP (Connecticut Light and Power)
In-e-qua-lity!
Tune: Done Laid Around; New lyrics: Nancy Schimmel
Download printable version (created 5/19/12)
Chorus:
Banksters have played around with my account too long
Th’economy’s almost gone and worse is comin’ on
Banksters have played around with my account too long
And I feel like I’ll move my money on
Wall Street does the crime and we are getting caught
Wall Street banks are gamblers, local banks are not
Wall Street does the crime and we are getting caught
And I feel like I’ll move my money on
Chorus
Time to put that nest egg in a better nest
Find a credit union, they’re the very best
Time to put that nest egg in a better nest
And I feel like I’ll move my money on
Chorus
When I'm buying local, don't use my credit card,
The fees the bankers charge hit the little stores too hard,
When I'm buying local, don't use my credit card,
And I feel like I’ll move my money on
Chorus
©2008 Betsy Rose Download printable version (revised 1/20/12)
My country tis of thee
Sweet land no longer free
From shore to shore
Our bill of rights destroyed
Too many unemployed
Our soldiers redeployed
In endless war
My country, here and now
I make this solemn vow
New hope to bring
Let justice rule again
The Constitution mend
We will rebuild a land
Where freedom rings
(to the tune of Locomotion, 1962 Gerry Goffin & Carole King )
New words by James Freund 2011
Download printable version (revised 1/17/12)
[C] Everybody’s saying we [Am/C] make a change now
[C] Come on people [Am/C] join the occupation
[C] We’ve been screwed for [Am] so many years now
[C] Come on people [Am/C] join the occupation
[F] The fat cats on Wall street [Dm] really don’t care
[F]They’re all livin’ large while [D7] We’re sucking air
So [C] come on, come on and [G7] let the Occupation be- [C] gin
You gotta stand your ground now [F] Come on, people.
Speak [C] up talk back Well, you [G7] know I‘ve got your back.
2nd verse
[C] They’ve got ninety nine and we’ve got [Am/C] one percent now
[C] Come on people let’s [Am/C] change the distribution
[C] We’re working hard for peanuts while [Am/C] they short the Dow (now)
[C] Come on people let’s [Am/C] change the distribution
[F] The tax rate is for them and [Dm] it’s really a laugh
[F] They got the gold mine and [D7] We got the shaft
So [C] come on, come on and [G7] let the Occupation be- [C] gin
You gotta stand your ground now [F] Come on, people.
Jump [C] up push back Well, you [G7] know I‘ve got your back.
3rd Verse
[C] Life is really great on those [Am/C]Gulfstream yachts (now)
[C] Come on people [Am/C] join the occupation
[C] Except if you are one of the [Am/C] many have nots
[C] Come on people [Am/C] join the occupation
[F] The’re doing it from Texas to [Dm] Kulua Lumpur
[F] Lets take it to the streets before they [D7] take anymore
So [C] come on, come on and [G7] join the Occupation with [C] me ( 2X)
Tune: Da Do Ron Ron by JEFF BARRY, ELLIE GREENWICH,
PHIL SPECTOR, new words by Nancy Schimmel
Download printable version (revised 1/17/12)
We’re tired of the cycles of boom and bust,
We’ll occupy-pie, we’ll occupy.
The dough is only rising for the upper crust,
We’ll occupy-pie, we’ll occupy.
Oh, the boom and bust,
Oh, the upper crust,
If you take our homes
We’ll occupy-pie, we’ll occupy.
It isn’t cherry and it isn’t lime,
It’s occupy-pie, it’s occupy.
It’s your just deserts and it’s just in time,
It’s occupy-pie, it’s occupy.
Oh, it isn’t lime,
Oh, it’s just in time,
If you take our homes
We’ll occupy-py, we’ll occupy.
There’s a slice for you and a slice for me,
It’s occupy-pie, it’s occupy.
This here pie will set the people free,
It’s occupy-pie, it’s occupy.
Oh, a slice for me,
Oh, set the people free,
If you take our homes
We’ll occupy-pie, we’ll occupy.
Tune: Pay Me My Money Down, traditional from the Georgia Sea Islands
New words: Bonnie Lockhart
Download printable version (revised 5/19/12)
Chorus:
Pay up, oh pay up,
Pay up your corporate tax,
Pay up or go to jail,
Pay up your corporate tax.
Schools and parks and clinics shuttered/ pay up your corporate tax,
Look whose bre-ad is still buttered/ pay up your corporate tax.
All those teachers won't get laid off/ pay up your corporate tax
___When Chevron's tax is paid off/ pay up your corporate tax
Chevron Oi-l has no scruples/ pay up your corporate tax
Gonna close up all your loopholes/ pay up your corporate tax
Verizon, Chevron, B of A/ pay up your corporate tax
___We're gonna make you pay/ pay up your corporate tax
Your tax shelters cannot save ya/ pay up your corporate tax
Gotta stop your bad behavior/ pay up your corporate tax
Better pay, we'll tell you why/ pay up your corporate tax
If you don't pay, we'll occupy/ pay up your corporate tax
(Frere Jacque, words by Betsy Rose)
Download printable version (revised 1/19/12)
Pay your taxes Pay your taxes
Start today, start today
We could feed the hungry
Give the schools some money
If banks pay, if banks pay
Words: Ray Glazer, Music: Bill Wolff, new verses: Leslie Hassberg
Download printable version (created 1/18/12)
If you want a decent job, the kind with benefits,
Just scan and post your resume and you'll get lots of hits,
You'll get lots of hits, my friend, and offers by the score,
Fantastic pay will come your way,
With guarantees of more.
Oh, put it on the ground, spread it all around,
Dig it with a hoe – it will make your flowers grow!
If your house is upside down, foreclosure looms each day,
Just modify the mortgage with your with friends at B of A
They have at heart the interest of our community,
Your home is saved, your way is paved
To great security.
Chorus
For Exxon, Chevron and BP I'm feeling such regret,
The taxes that we make them pay are keeping them in debt,
Big oil just has no influence on Congress or the courts,
They have no say, just pay and pay,
Now aren't they real good sports?
Chorus
For military contractors I regularly cry,
They have to beg for every cent while we are flying high,
They operate behind the scenes, security's the goal,
It's policy, we all agree
To let them have control.
Chorus
The teachers, cops, the EMTs, the clerks who run the County,
They hold us hostage with demands, they're raking in the bounty,
While financiers and CEOs must scrimp and sacrifice,
They're in despair, it's so unfair
To make them pay the price.
Chorus
Our students, staff and faculty feel happy and supported,
This talk of protest on the Net is biased and distorted,
The Board of Regents' policies are wise and conflict-free,
Tuition hikes and general strikes
Are just a fallacy.
(Do Lord Remember Me); New words byNancy Schimmel
Download printable version (revised 1/17/12)
What is this I’m eating? I want to know.
What is this I’m eating? I want to know.
What is this I’m eating? I want to know.
So I won’t eat GMO.
Put it on the label, I want to know.
Put it on the label, I want to know.
Put it on the label, I want to know.
So I won’t eat GMO
I won’t be your guinea pig, I want to know (3x)
And I won’t eat GMO
Gonna make Monsanto tell me, I want to know. (3x)
So I won’t eat GMO
I got an allergy to ignorance, I want to know. (3x)
So I won’t eat GMO
Put it on the label, I want to know. (3x)
So I won’t eat GMO
Rewrite for the 99% Movement Download printable version revised 1/18/12)
Bonnie Lockhart
Hear the tune with original words
Democrats won in Oh Eight, but I still ain’t satisfied,
‘Cause we still got a corporate state, and I still. . .
It’s not the party of the hour
It’s the Wall Street gang that’s got the power
And I still ain’t, woa, they lied (x3)
And I still ain’t satisfied.
We’re working hard to fight cut backs, but I still. . . .
Until Wells Fargo pays their tax, and I still. . .
If we taxed the banks and the very wealthy
Our safety net would still be healthy. . .
We saw “An Inconvenient Truth” but I still. . .
‘Cause carbon’s going through the roof, and I still. . .
When lobbies buy our politicians
They will not stop toxic emissions . . .
They say the Iraq war is done, but I still. . .
‘Cause they’re rattling sabers at Iran, and I still. . .
We don’t need war, we don’t need empire
Let’s let the dove replace the vampire. . .
(Yellow Rose of Texas) words by Bonnie Lockhart and Nancy Schimmel
Download printable version (revised 1/19/12)
Valero Oil of Texas
Is not the oil for me
They want to pump the tar sands
To their refinery
But pumping gunk from Canada
To the Gulf of Mexico
Is a pipeline to disaster
So to Keystone we say “No!”
Valero Oil of Texas
You lobby for the pipe
You talk about employment
But we know that’s just hype.
We’d rather create good jobs
And a strong economy:
Stop subsidizing oil
And fund cleaner energy
Valero Oil of Texas
It’s time to get a clue
Your oil thing is over,
Quit belching CO2
That oil is just too yucky
And the pipeline risk too high
Leave the tar sands in Alberta
And kiss fossil fuel goodbye
(Take Me Out to the Ball Game)
Betsy Rose 2011 Download printable version (revised 5/17/12) • see video
Take me out of the big banks
Take me out of their game
The credit union can have my dough
I'll cut up my credit cards, pay as I go
And it's root root root for the small banks
Give them our business and thanks
And it's 1, 2, 3 million more and we'll close big banks
Let's go occupy Wall Street
In every city and town
We'll occupy houses the banks foreclosed
Make sure that no one's left out in the cold
And it's root root root for the new world
We're building right here today
And its 1, 2, 3 billion more! It's a new ball game.
(Sing twice)
(Blowin' in the Wind by Bob Dylan)
new words by Bonnie Lockhart Download printable version (created 2/29/12)
How many billions must some people have,
before they will pay a fair tax?
Yes, and how many teachers were laid off this year
in ever-increasing cutbacks?
Yes, and how many pensions will public servants lose,
in well-funded corporate attacks?
The answer is fair, it's tax the millionaire
The answer is tax the millionaire
How many mansions must one man have,
before he's required to share?
Yes, and how many people are homeless tonight,
as shelters go broke everywhere?
Yes, and how many times will the CEO brag,
it's his right to remain a billionaire?
The answer is fair, it's tax the millionaire
The answer is tax the millionaire
How many lawyers will Chase Bank employ,
to make sure their tax is deferred?
Yes, and how many books will the B of A cook,
so their tax-free condition's assured?
Yes, and how many loopholes will Wells Fargo find,
while their profits from jails are absurd?
The answer is fair, it's tax the millionaire
The answer is tax the millionaire
(You Are My Sunshine) Betsy Rose 2011
Download printable version (revised 1/17/12)
This is our college, a public college.
We study hard and we pay our way
But costs are rising, and hope is dying
You are taking our future away
The other night we slept on the Plaza
We had a peaceful assembly
The police beat us, and pepper sprayed us
Does this look like a democracy?
Chorus
We'll tell the Regents, we'll tell the Chancellors
We'll tell the whole world loud and clear
We're standing up for our education
And our future is starting right here.
Chorus
End with
You can't take our future away
New words: Ted Warmbrand (sung at Occupy Tucson)
Download printable version (revised 1/17/12)
Are you wondering with fear what the hell has gone on here
In this land we say was made for you and me?
Are we free and are we brave? Will we live life as a slave?
Do you ask yourself what will the future be?
Come, friends, here's an occupation,
We have work for you to do
When some corporations rob you of home & health & job
Then a public park's a place for me and you
Look around you, gals and gents, are we all the one percent
Or are we more the many, not the few?
If our vision it is clear and we draw each other near
The world will separate the false from true
Welcome, join our occupation
Why just sit alone and stew?
Since we bailed the bankers out, we can't lie about & pout
If we don't stand up they'll never get a clue
When the war is one of class, peer into your looking glass
Do you see a worker or a CEO?
If you see someone like me, no dough growing on your tree
You might want to let your fighting spirit grow
We have found our occupation
Some old dream is born anew
Let them glare and let them glower
But we're building people power
We're a spark to light the dark, we're overdue!
(Tune: Irene Goodnight, new words by Mary Sue Mead and the folk process)
Download printable version (revised5/17/12)
CHORUS: Wall Street, Goodbye, goodbye
Wall Street Goodbye
We've suffered long, we've suffered slow
It's time to say goodbye
So many issues out there,
We don't know where to start
But we see one big problem,
Big Business has no heart
The economy is tanking,
Big Business acts surprised
But no one has any money to spend
After they've been downsized
Get money out of politics,
Get the ads out of campaigns
Time to put a lid on Lobbyists,
Time to end the gravy train
Corporations are not people,
They have no right to vote
Time to throw them overboard
Before they sink the boat
The government needs more money,
It spends too much on war
It doesn't have much to show for it,
We're no safer than before
Stop profiting from disaster,
Stop profiting from ill health
The country needs a major change,
It's time to share the wealth
(Battle Hymn of the Republic) new words by Betsy Rose
Download printable version (revised 1/17/12)
Mine eyes have seen the glory of a people on the rise
We’re occupying everywhere you can’t ignore our size
And all around the world the truth is drowning out the lies
‘Cause we’re too big to fail
Move your money to a credit union now (3X)
‘Cause we’re too big to fail
They sold us lousy mortgages and then foreclosed our homes
They got a giant bailout but they still aren’t giving loans
While ordinary people work their fingers to the bone
But we’re too big to fail
Chorus
Tuition at the colleges is rising every day
Students take out loans they know can’t afford pay
Their future’s being stolen while the banker gets a raise
But we’re too big to fail
Chorus
From Egypt to Alaska and from London to L.A.
The people’s voice is rising and we have a lot to say
Don’t be afraid to join the future- it begins today
And we’re too big to fail
Chorus
New Words: Mark Ross, Bruce Murdoch & Etan Ben-Ami
Download printable version (revised 1/20/12)
There's a place in New York City where the money goes around
For the 99ers in the street - None of that will trickle down
Chorus: Which side are you on? (2X)
We came here for liberty to change a damned disgrace
Walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, got night sticks in our face
The politicos and the bankers are having too much fun
We're out here on the street today to put them on the run
Oh, people can you stand it, tell me if you can
Will we fight here on the street or beg with cap in hand?
Tell them up in Washington, let's hear it 'cross the land
We've been too long divided - United we'll make our stand
It's called the New York Stock Exchange, they all work out of sight
Money goes from their left hand, directly to their right
We send our deepest thanks to you, we know you will not fall
They cops could take us one by one, but they sure can't take us all
You say you love this country, I hope to God that's true,
But do you think those politicians give a damn 'bout you.
Come all you brave New Yorkers, I've a truth that I must tell,
If you don't fight for this country, you'll watch it go to hell.
(To the tune of the MTA) words by Jack Hasling
Download printable version (created 1/17/12)
Oh, let me tell you the story of the K Street lobbies
And the money that they’re giving away;
They can buy the Congress and control legislation
And they do it almost every day.
But will they ever be taxed?
No, they’ll never be taxed!
Even though the country’s really in need.
I’ll believe that corporations are the same as people
If I ever see one cry or bleed.
Now, the President’s proposing we revise taxation
So the wealthy folks would pay their share;
But Republicans just want to see the rich get richer,
Oh, those greedy bastards just don’t care!
But will they ever be taxed?
No, They’ll never be taxed!
All they want to do is cut even more.
They’ll take away our health care and our old age pensions—
Our security is going out the door.
Now there’s lots we could do building railroads and bridges
And repairing all our run-down schools.
But conservatives would rather play their games on Wall Street
And get rid of all the governmental rules.
But will they ever be taxed?
No, they’ll never be taxed!
And we’ll be in debt the rest of our lives.
With all the roadblocks in Congress, and the votes not taken
It’s a wonder how the country survives.
The Supreme Court says corporations are people
And can donate all the money they choose.
If we let that decision be the last interpretation
You can bet that you and I are gonna lose.
But will they ever be taxed?
No, they’ll never be taxed!
Because the banks have gotten too big to fail.
Pass the 28th Amendment and correct injustice; (pause)
LET THE PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO PREVAIL !