Our neighbours to the south have experienced some turbulent times of late. I have been struck by images of people engaged in bitter argument and displays of rage. Differences of opinion can be healthy, but I find outraged expressions of those differences to be worrisome. I don’t believe democracy was meant to be like this. I sing this song in the hope that calmer heads can prevail, and good decisions can be made through the democratic process.
Lyrics
When Democracy Goes South
When democracy goes south
They wave their Old Glory
With a dose of privilege and rage
When democracy goes south
It’s a whole different story
I just hope it ain’t the dawning of an age
When democracy goes south
They wrap themselves in banners
And think they’re showing off their southern pride
When democracy goes south
Folks forget their manners
And gentle people keep their kids inside
When democracy goes south
Emotions are divided
As people try to shout each other down
They run off at the mouth
And no one tries to hide it
This contempt they have for others in the town
It’s polar ideologies that occupy the place
Guns and oil and tainted soil
The dominance of race
The truth, the lies, the history
The present and the past
How long can this acrimony last?
When democracy goes south
People find religion
The way it’s used to justify a war
And all of those great marches
In decades come and gone
Just don’t seem to matter anymore
When democracy goes south
People bring their weapons
As if to make a point by raising fear
When democracy goes south
They forget their Civics lessons
And somewhere their old teachers shed a tear
When democracy goes south
People get run down
When standing up for things that they believe
And if your sense of justice
doesn’t match what’s in your town
You might just want to
pack things up and leave
It’s polar ideologies that occupy the place
Guns and oil and tainted soil
The dominance of race
The truth, the lies, the history
The present and the past
How long can this acrimony last?
When democracy goes south
People wave Old Glory
And do their best to make a heated scene
When democracy goes south
Gutters can get gory
As if that’s what the Stars and Stripes should mean
When democracy goes south
They wave their Old Glory
With a dose of privilege and rage
When democracy goes south
It’s a whole different story
I just hope it ain’t the dawning of an age
I pray this ain’t the dawning of an age
© Gary Poole 2020