Lyrics

Talking Pat and Jerry Blues
Words & music by John McCutcheon
(work version 9/16/01)

On September 11th
The awful news came
Our tears and our innocence
Fell like rain
Glued to the screens
Of our TV sets
It’s a day that none of us
Will ever forget

As the dust settled
And we counted the cost
We were all drawn together
By the lives that were lost
“Who could have done this?”
Arose the shout
Well, two guys from Virginia
Have is all figured out

Two television preachers
Got it down
In Virginia Beach
And Lynchburg town
Jerry Falwell
And Pat Robertson
Let us all in
On why the deed was done

It was pro-choice folks
That caused that day
Feminists, liberals
And, of course, the gays
Jerry and Pat said
God got pissed
Hijacked some planes
And…you know the rest

Jerry, you were mildly amusing
With the Tinky Winky stuff
And when Pat ran for President
It was hilarious enough
But when this came out
I couldn’t resist
Now God’s not the only
One who’s pissed

How dare you exploit
This fragile time
Tying innocent people
To this horrible crime
At a time we should
Stand side by side
You chose, instead,
To help divide

But at least you’ve cleared up
Some of our doubts
Now we all know exactly
What you’re about:
Out of step with your religions
And full of fear
Fundamentalist fanatics
Who live right here

Sheltered by the State
Out of reach
You terrorize
By what you preach
We’re tired of you telling us
Just what’s what
I say, “Jerry and Pat:
Shut the hell up!”

©2001 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP)

The List
Words & music by John McCutcheon
Work version (9/19/01)

Clear Channel Communication
Sent a memo to their stations
Asking DJs to take care
With songs they play upon the air
That might upset, that might divide
That just might stem the growing tide
To send the country into war
Guess that’s what the media is for

To help the listeners of this nation
Clear Channel Communication
Made a list and sent it out
Of songs we should think twice about
One hundred sixty songs or so
To not hear on your radio
Mettalica, The Clash and Queen
AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen
Van Halen, Kansas, Jackson Browne
Dave Matthews, Pink Floyd, Three Doors Down
A huge and most impressive list
But as I read I said, “What’s this?”
Louis Armstrong’s on there too
Neil Diamond, him I always knew
Elvis, Peter, Paul & Mary
James Taylor, he was always scary
“Imagine,” “Peace Train,” “Get Together”
“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”
As I read this litany
One awful thought came clear to me

I didn’t make this list
Though I’ve worked my whole life long
Twenty five recordings
They can’t find one lousy song?
It’s a slap in the face, an awful disgrace
What do I have to do
To make the grade and not be played
Like Sinatra and U2?

“How many songs must a folksinger write
“Before they’re forever banned?”

“Imagine there’s no airplay
“It’s easy if you try…”

I’ve always disagreed with folks who’ve said
The world is saved by songs
One thing I’ve learned from all of this
Is that I must be wrong
Some people think it’s dangerous
These things we sing and write
The pen is mightier than the sword
And I’m wielding mine tonight

No, I didn’t make the list
Though I’m really not surprised
I guess that means I can resist
When they’ve silenced all these other guys
I’m taking it well, I’m giving ‘em hell
It’s the only sane solution
So here’s a song, now sing along
And join the revolution

“Come on, people, now smile on your brother
“Everybody get together and love one another right now”

©2001 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP)