The Big Men Came

Moving sharply into the political spectrum, we have this conspiratorial little ditty. I wrote it way, way back in ‘91 or so, but it seemed so appropriate to where we (as a nation) were heading in 2003 that I re-recorded it (with a slight lyrical update). This was during the period that political blogs were just finding their feet, when Daily Kos was just one of the crowd, and I actually got mentioned by Atrios! Twice! (Wow, he even called me “my good friend.” I should use that in the quote file.)

Maybe someone can help me with this, but I remember being distinctly peeved after hearing a John Wesley Harding song that made a quick reference to the “government literally took my vocal chords” idea, but I don’t remember which song it was in. For the record, my song came out first, okay?

(UPDATE 1/23: FOUND it! The song is called “The Truth” and it’s on Harding’s 1992 album “Why we Fight”. After re-reading the words, it’s clear that we were working from the same page. I won’t claim to have had the idea much earlier than JWH, but I promise I didn’t steal it.)

And if there’s anyone reading who has doubts that we live in the authoritarian world depicted in this song, I have four words for you: “Don’t tase me, bro!”

The Big Men Came from Picture Perfect Fool (1992)
The Big Men Came (2003)

Once I was a big league troublemaker
A thorn in authority’s side
I marched a lot and sang a lot
And talked a good deal more
My attitude was known far and wide
I was looked upon with awe in certain circles
For you never could be sure just what I’d say
And then not too long ago
My presence was laid low
When the big men came and took my voice away

I can’t say I was minding my own business
I never was too good at keeping still
I was stirring up a ruckus
Right outside the White House door
While the President kicked around some stupid bill
I hopped up on a soapbox and I shouted
“Downtrodden people, this will be your day!”
I was getting pretty loud
And then right out of the crowd
The big men came and took my voice away

Chorus:
Well the big men came
And they took away my voice
Now I can only shake my fists
And never make a noise
They warned me not to talk so loud
Or there would come a day
When the big men would come take my voice away.

They brought along a writ and a subpoena
Those fellas surely didn’t waste their time
They threw me on the ground
And they didn’t make a sound
And they didn’t even charge me with a crime
They reached right down my throat and grabbed my larynx
Tacked on a little tag, “Exhibit A”
And the people that were there
Walked away without a care
When the big men came and took my voice away

(Chorus)

Now it’s sitting with my file inside a folder
So it won’t fall in the hands of evil men
The accompanying report
Is to the point and short
With a footnote that says “Freedom wins again!”
I try to put my speeches down on paper*
But who has time to read these busy days?
And I notice with a frown
That my brain is slowing down
Since the big men came and took my voice away

(Chorus)

*2003 version: “I try to put my speeches on a website”