America
the farce in 5/4
© 1967 by Jim Andris
Sinister country, what is your purpose?
Freedom for all men; freedom to hate men?
Did you invent the sit-in-the-rear bus?
Did you create the second-class citizenry?
Atheist country, where are your morals?
Written in canons; hidden in churches?
Are you content to rest on your laurels,
While millions swing from Goldwater birches?
Middle-class country, who will defend you?
Button-down people, pleasure-mad people?
Would even Jesus deign to commend you
Had you not nailed him fast to the steeple?
Ignorant country, when will you listen?
No land survives on bigoted valor.
Viva le roi! Dieses wir wissen!
I pledge allegiance to putrid pallor.
Self-righteous country, will you condone me,
Saying, "See what we let guys like him say!"
Or in your blindness, shouldn't you stone me
In order to preserve the American Way.
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