Composition

Lyrics

1. Insurrection
So what was it that actually happened that day?
We all saw the same footage across USA!
From watching real close here’s what I took away:

’Twas a glorious day full of love—yes!

Happy tourists exploring the capital
It was all so congenial and affable

As they rollicked and romped with police
Celebrating but keeping the peace
Peaceful patriots taking selfies.

BUT . . . Who would guess there were darker forces among ’em?
Had they found the VP, they would have hung him!

And if you probed, and dug even deepah, I say,
You’d find out they belong to Antifa—

No way!!!!!
You’re wrong! You’re wrong! That’s a great Big Lie!!!!!!
twas a false flag deal by the FBI!!!!

BUT . . . in truth, this socialist commie assault
Was entirely Nancy Pelosi’s fault!

OR . . . This grotesque infestation of our hallowed hall
is just fake news—didn’t happen at all!

So what was it that actually happened that day?
We all saw the same footage across USA!
From watching so close here’s what I took away:

MAGA hats
Stop the Steal
March with Me!
Come along!

Rigged election!
Fight with me!
We’ll be wild!
STAY STRONG!

We never give up or give in!
to an attempt to steal a landslide win.

Climbing walls
Screaming calls
Broken windows broken doors
Ransacked offices
Feet on desks
Crowbar, flag pole, pepper spray, crossbow, stun gun, baseball bat,

Molotov cocktails!

Banging on doors
Seconds away
Panic stricken politicians
pipe bombs, bear spray,
fire extinguisher, zip ties, gallows—

So what was it that actually happened that day?
We all saw the same footage across USA!

So whatever happened to common sense?
We’re playing with fire, at our children’s expense!

How do I know about which horror to grieve
When I don’t even know which account to believe?

Please please STOP!!!! We need peace at the top!
Feels like friends and neighbors are fighting,
and my head’s falling off at this writing!

How did humanity get so dense?
What do we say in our species’ defense?
And how did this come down on Vice President Pence?

Insurreflections (2021)– II. Unrequited –Text by Cynthia Fogg. Music by Tom Flaherty.

2. Unrequited
Mister President, to me it’s evident
That the love we had
was not so bad.

It would have been fortuitous
Just for the two of us
If my interception
brought your resurrection.

But I would hurt if I’d lost my shirt if I’d
for sure defied . . .
and certified . . .

Can’t you see I can’t be
as cheeky as thee?
Can you tell that I’m sweltering from PTSD?

I guess I was trying to self-protect;
I never expected you’d insurrect.

I guess if you view it another way,
Why yes, it was just another day.

If I’d done the ultimate favor for you
would you still in a huff
have rebuffed me for Q?
(for Q . . . for Q . . . for Q . . .)
for curious reasons I’d never construe?

I thought we were an item.
When the Dems gave us trouble we’d fight ’em.
I flattered you ad infinitum.

Why was I brought to your COVID committee?
Was I brought cuz you thought I was charming and witty?
I thought we were in the long haul together
we were destined to build the wall together
I thought we would rise or we’d fall, together.

But now . . . I’m . . . UnTRUMPeted!!!
(but at least it’s not “THUMP! He’s dead!”)

I’m unsung!!!!
But at least . . . I’m unhung!

and I’m blighted
unbeknighted
disinvited
cuz of what I did...

My love is
Unrequited

3. A Bedder Way
You say lumbago and I say lumbahgo
You say avocaydo and I say avocado
lumbago lumbahgo avocaydo avocado
Why are you always wrong?

You say flammable and I say inflammable
You say unnamable and I say unnammable
flammable inflammable unnamable unnammable
Why can’t we get along?

You say it’s red, and I say it’s blue.
I quietly try to explain it to you.
You politely try to show me it’s red
But I’m focused on my own response instead.

I’m starting to feel a bit apprehensive
I rattle off my opinion, a bit defensive
You take the cue and begin to stew
and your response causes me to push right through
your reasoning, and by now I’m deaf
to any semblance of logic that you have left.

If this sniping and griping fills you with dread.
I’ve found the perfect hiding place, under the bed.

If I say something and know it’s true,
How does that apply to you?
So who told the truth, and who just lied?
Each one blames the other side!

You say it’s a witch hunt
And I say it’s an investigation!
You say it’s factual
And I say it’s misinformation!

How do we know if lying was meant
or a misunderstanding, without intent?
How do we live with mutual trust
If to each the other side breeds disgust?

Under the bed, it’s safer in here
Under the bed, my mind is clear

And you’re now annoyed because I’ve destroyed
Any sense of compromise you’ve employed
And you shoot back some biting invective
And I, having long ago lost perspective,
Boiling now, I respond with vitriol
and now, both of us having a fit, we all
Forgot we were ever friends convivial
And are banging our heads about something so trivial
We were laughing and jolly 5 minutes ago,
And now we’re Vesuvius, ready to blow.

You say volcano and I say volcahno
You say tornado and I say tornahdo
If no one is right and no one is wrong,
How on earth can we get along?

And this isn’t just me leading you astray,
It’s happening all over the USA.
And the worst thing is—and think of the gall it takes—
This is infesting American politakes!

Under the bed, where people don’t riot
Under the bed, it’s peace and quiet
Under the bed, you really should try it

You say eLECtoral and I say elecTORal
Why do we quarrel about what’s immoral?
If it can be seen, heard, felt,
tested, argued, tasted, smelt,
and proven in court, 60 times . . .

Quid et veritas? What is truth?
Quit it, America! There’s the proof!
My head’s so hot, like I’m at the equator
I need to cool off under the bed, see you later!

And someday, safe between bedding and flooring,
Maybe we can even stop warring.
Let’s get together and try to get along
Please come and let’s talk, but bring your bed along.
To confer and concur and get things done

Maybe 2 beds are better than one.

and some great day when things seem right again,
When America’s future is looking bright again
When problems if not fully solved, have remedies
We’ll find our resolve, and stretch our extremities,
And emerge on the world, all ready to fight again!