I recently re-posted a tune of mine from back in 2019, a version of the Beatles “Fixing a Hole”, back when I was exclusively using Beatles songs to make my points (I haven’t stopped in this regard, I just branched out to different artists, different tunes, but points still have to be made after all, if only for my own and maybe even your own sanity’s sake … just here to help).

That one though seemed, even five years later, to still be fairly relevant. The Orange Devil hasn’t changed, he is still just that, an orange devil, but just more devil-like, angrier, sad, more desperate and the press hasn’t learned their lessons as they never do, clicks and views always overriding truth, continuing to try and normalize a thing that just ain’t normal, at least not from a genuine human and democratic perspective.

Though some of these tunes may be dated in their specifics and their times I think they still work in a bigger way, and some of them might even be seen to be considered “prescient” if I can be allowed a pat.

Anyway, a re-visit of an album’s worth of points made via the Beatles, The Orange Album, from December of 2019.

//////////////////////////////////////////

Orange Quarantine

(posted 05-11-19)

In the land that we call home

Lives a man who was born to be

A simple con, liar and cheat

Living in an orange quarantine

But in this land he would conceive

A man-boy King of him he would be crowned

And to the law he’d not be bound

In his new found Orange Quarantine

..

We all live in an Orange Quarantine

Trading truth for beans, an Orange Quarantine

We all live in an Orange Quarantine

The lies come with a sheen in an Orange Quarantine

..

Blind loyal friends all love the ride

Cheerfully they chide Democracy

A prop-a-gandist band does play

..

We all live in an Orange Quarantine

Where truth is rarely seen in this Orange Quarantine

We all live in an Orange Quarantine

Trump’s pockets full of green, in an Orange Quarantine

..

(Full speed backward, full speed back stupid USA

Blindly so it is general

Look the other way for me… drop the law if you please

Will do general. General?)

..

As we live a life unease

All the rich of us (all the rich of us)

Has what they need (has what they need)

To the rest (to the rest)

Shoulder your part (shoulder your part)

In this Trickle Down (in this trickle down)

Quarantine (quarantine…HA HA!)

..

We all live in an Orange Quarantine

Where ignorance is King in this Orange Quarantine

We all live in an Orange Quarantine

Of woe we’ll surely sing in an Orange Quarantine

We all live in an Orange Quarantine

Bizarro is the norm in this Orange Quarantine

We all live in an Orange Quarantine

Where scary does take form in an Orange Quarantine

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Baby General’s Golden Black Heart’s Band / Sky’s Purple When You’ve Got Blind Friends

(posted 06-30-19)

It was two plus years ago today

That baby general came to have his say

In a propagandist fascist style

With his lies he’d go the extra mile

He’d hammer them unto the red

IQ’s regressing in his stead

Baby general’s golden black heart’s band

..

We’re baby general’s golden black heart’s band

We play you all ya need to know

Baby general’s golden black heart’s klan

The torches are only for show

Baby general’s corrupt

Baby general’s morally

Baby general’s bankrupt black heart’s band

..

There’s nothing to be seen here

Just back room in the know

There’s such important work be done

Now won’t you all just pray with us

We love it when you’re dumb

..

We don’t want you to be in the know

But we make you feel you’re in the show

Keep you happy swimming in the glow

Helps suck you in the undertow

Now let us to present to you

The sad and lonely Orange years

Baby general’s golden black heart’s band

..

Trump D’s victim’s tears…

..

What would you say if I sang you a lie

So obvious you can’t deny?

But you take it and then get to singin’ along

Cause reality it don’t apply

..

Oh, the sky’s purple when you’ve got blind friends

Mmm it’s any color when the truth gets bent

Mmm the sky’s orange is the new message sent

..

What would you say if I filled you with hate

Gave you an enemy you could detest

Locked them away less than human they’re caged

As you lend deaf ear to mankind’s rage

..

Oh, the sky’s black to go along with blue

Mmm your hu-manity now shares that hue

Mmm your sold souls invent a diff-er-ent view

..

Could you think you need saving?

That will surely come bust

Do you need to get praying?

But only to an orange need’s lust

..

Where will we be when sad histr’y holds true

(do you re-alize that there’s a cost?)

It’s measured in lives deemed be less than they be

(can you jus-tify the ones we toss?)

..

Oh you get by when smallish minds stay small

Mmm to think more’s an order way too tall

Ooohh there’s no longer a sure one for all

..

Do you feel the enemy’s breath

(when it’s their last just at our door-step)

Does it feel sad empowerin’

(to de-value them as he has pled)

..

Oh you get by when it’s a think of group

Mmm it’s much eas’r in an ignorance troupe

Mmm you ‘splain why but only in a vacuum

Yes you get by

Believin’ nationalist lies

You’re just a means to his end

Aaaahhhh

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Lie Together

(posted 01-13-19)

Here come ol’ Or’nge top

He come slinkin’ up lie-like

He once boo boo footfall

He fake holy roller

He got lies his base refuse to hear

he prop-a-gandize until he’s a bug in their ear

..

She wear no truth shine

podium barker mob moll

she got indignation at a press corp’s truth call

She say, I tell you, you list-en me

You best be buy my bullshit or it aint comin’ free

..

Lie together

After me

Hucksterbee

..

State News corruption

it’s Fox stories or nothin’

They laud faulty numbers

fact check pause they’ll mock ya

we got base who just believe decree

you’re just an en-emy until you see what we see

..

Lie together

Naturally

Trumpy D

..

Right!

..

We tell you our thing

It’s a pretty unreal thing

and we muddy the waters

this swamp’s got no filter

T say one plus one is billions to me

it’s magic math that the base just adores to believe

..

Lie together

enda days

Trumpy D

Oh…

Lie Together

Yeah

Cry together

Yeah

Blame together

Yeah

Truth whatever

Yeah

Strife together

Yeah!

Divide together

Yeah!!

White forever

Yeah!!!

aaaaahhhhh.…

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

When He’s Man-Boy Czar

(posted 04-22-19)

When he gets even bolder flush with a flair
Oppressor soon bar none
Will you still apologize tell Dems to calmAs au-tocracy gets dropped like a bomb

When he ignores the rule of the law
And conjures William Barr
Will you still mock us for thinking he dang’rous
When he’s man-Boy Czar

(ooooh ooooh oooh oooh oooh oooh oooh oooh oooh )

His thumb you’re under too
(aaaahhh aaaahhh aaahhh aaahhh aaahhh aaahhh aaahhh aaahhh)
But Reds if you’d sprout some spine
To Checks and B’s we could be true

She comes in real handy jus-tifying the lies
When open does his mouth
She can spin a story dis-in-genuous
On Sunday rounds to State Tv press
Digging at real news pro-moting their fake
What Czar could ask for more
Stoking the fires, protecting the liar
Hucksterbee shoots and scores

Every day we’re treated to the latest power grab found corruption is his worst of fears
But Reds will not be brave
(aaaaa aaaaa aaaa aaaa aaaa)
Willed lapdogs at his knee, Lindsey, Mitch and Dev

Looking for postcards sent from the ledge, any sane view of point
A Country wanting just sur-vive this despot play
America sincerely, wishing away
And hoping Or’nge crazy doesn’t take form
Democracy at the fore

Will we still still be, can we save hist’ry
From the man-Boy Czar

Whoo!

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Tricking The Whole

(posted 06-16-19)

I’m tricking the whole to new reign of a King

To keep their minds from wondering

What the truth knows

I’m filling the gaps marking all that I say

With prop-a-ganda being way

To sell truth now

..

And it’s really heady matter for elites I lie

For a fake press I lie

The haters cry

But see my dog base blinding there who loyally lap at my feet

Never finding truth crumbs on the floor

..

I’m painting bona fide in a red white and blue

My fingers make confusing swirls

Till you let go

Oooh Oooh Oooh Ahh Ahh

(succumb you will in time)

Hey Hey Hey … Hey

..

And hey batter batter batter

Swing and miss my man, can’t hit this pitch you can’t

Not this big spin

I’m on the mound base is the crowd

They pay no mind they are fact free

See how they’re wowed by my huge back door curve

..

I never take time to study the things that were important yesterday

They don’t matter now

Oooh Oooh Oooh Ahh Ahh

Hey Hey

I’m tricking the whole to new reign of a King

It gets my mind to wandering ’bout new royals Ohhhh

Who we could own owwwwnnn

..

I’m tricking the whole to new reign of a King

My mind is always floundering

In a dark hole…in a dark whole

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Shill Barr Be, Hack Barr Are

(posted 04-21-19)

William is new AG in this U.S. place
Bought and paid give Trumpy D a hand
Wrote a little White House pre-pared sum-mary
That he then touted as some truth throughout the land

Shill Barr be, hack Barr are, Trump goes on
BLAH BLAH BLAH!!
Blah Blah Trump lies they live on
Hack Barr be, shill Barr are, Trump feels strong
BLAH BLAH BLAH!!
Blah Blah Trump lies they live on

William takes a seat at a new congress store
Serenades a unilater’l will
To decide the findings of Mueller’s report
He echoes Trump words as he then begins to shill

Shill Barr be, hack Barr are, Trump goes on
BLAH BLAH BLAH!!
Blah Blah Trump lies they live on
Hack Barr be, shill Barr are, Trump feels strong
BLAH BLAH BLAH!!
Blah Blah Trump lies they live on

In a couple of years Trump has built a great de-vide
G-OP grunts blindly at his side
along for cruelest of rides

HA HA HA HA

Happy ever soon an autocrat’s new place
William lends the orange rule of law
The rest of us just watch as shit then hits our face
A narr-a-tive about this prez’s lawless place

Shill Barr be, hack Barr are, Trump goes on
BLAH BLAH BLAH!!
Blah Blah Trump lies they live on
Hack Barr be, shill Barr are, Trump feels strong
BLAH BLAH BLAH!!
Blah Blah Trump lies they live on

In a couple more years Trump tries play the game for long
Ju-dicial law in the partisan hand
Of William DOJ strong

HA HA HA HA

Democratic now not in this U.S. land
William lends the Orange office space
Redactions and conspiracies then take their place
And in the long run we are now sure less than great

Shill Barr be, hack Barr are, Trump goes on
BLAH BLAH BLAH!!
La la Trump lies they live on
Hack Barr be, shill Barr are, Trump feels strong
BLAH BLAH BLAH!!
La la Trump lies they live on

And if you want for ruin
Sing tune of William Barr

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Being For The Benefit Of All That’s White (and a #MoscowMitch song)

(posted 08-03-19)

For the benefit of all that’s white

We’ll revisit Nuremberg tonight

So gather round

Fox pundits they will gladly share

Masking bias they no long-ger care

Cage the brown

And four congresswomen we’ll chant send back

Accusing them of being on attack

In this way Trumpy D he poisons the well

..

The ignorance of this Trump D

Rallies at a furious speed to gather base

The Tucker’s Hannitys are there

Fox and Friends as well don’t care, lets bring the hate

His lapdogs blindly follow suit

Justi-fy his words or just hit mute

And of course Mitch’s ele-phant dances the worst

..

The white takes hold at half past black

Un-American the tried true tack

Let’s send them back

He’ll propagate a fantasy, new histry’s order

On favorite stage, he’s got a knack

It’s 2 plus years of prep-a-ration

To induce separation of this Klan

And tonight Trumpy D he’ll go for the kill

”

(For the benefit of all that’s white

Mitch blocked a bill to try and right

Our voting plight

The Russians he invites back in

Others please come join the din

Truth take flight

A complicit GOP it plans to benefit

Renewed elector’l hack

Free-dom suffers elephant’s wrath

A planned whackety whackety whackety whackety whaaack

Their treason’s always on the attack

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Bitter Orange Pill

(posted 12-27-19)

They hope and they pray

Repub’s on a hill

Their pockets won’t be exposed while for the Orange they shill

They know how he smugly owns them

Corruption his favorite tool

He gloats with the dumbest bluster

..

But the bitter orange pill

Is so hard going down

While the words out his head

See the world burning down

..

He get’s have his say

Trump truth now the way

The man of the lies by thousands de-clares them to be prayed

And nobody stands up to him

They are all just way too afraid

But they lap at his golden excess

..

And the bitter orange pill

Tastes like King going down

And support they exclaim

Has a hollow desp’rate sound

..

And they cultishly blind protect him

As they do what they have to do

To proving this tin-pot’s new world

..

But the bitter orange pill

Is a cancer going down

With no cure to be found

‘cept Dante circles goin’ round

ooooohhhhh ooooohhhhh ooooohhhhh ooooohhhhh ooooohhhhh 

Dante’s circle round and round and round and round

..

He blusters aloud his comfort

This menagerie of fools

Lending him delusions

..

But the bitter orange pill

It’s so hard going down

And the words out his head

Democracy’s it’s burning down

ooooohhhhh ooooohhhhh ooooohhhhh ooooohhhhh ooooohhhhh 

dante circles round and round and round.…

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

I Am The Con Man

(posted 12-24-18)

I am me as I love me and you are me
And we love me together
See how we plumb we’re pigs for the dumb
See dollars run
I’m genius

..

Sitting on a tax cut
Waiting for some yen to fly
Corporate stock big buy back, stupid farmer loyals
Man you’re all bunch of rubes
You let your Trump grow long

..

I am the Charlatan
You are the simpletons
I am the Con Man
Goo goo ga-rube

..

Mr Mrs Congress sitting
Pretty always at my beck and call
See how they buy with a gleam in their eye
See how they buy
My buuuuuulllshit….
They’re buuuuuuying….they’re buuuuuying…I’m lyyyyyyyyyyying!

..

Yellow ting-ed dollars
Making me a buck or three
Trumpy props’ll bring it home, tradeymarks’ll get it done
Boy I am a wealthy man
I sold the White House down

..

I am the Charlatan
You are the simpletons
I am the Con Man
Goo goo ga-rube

…Sitting in a rose-ed garden
Waiting chance to lie
And if the lie don’t play
I’ll own my fake by keeping up a perfect face…

I am the Charlatan
You are the simpletons
I am the Con Man
Goo goo ga-rube goo goo goo ga-rube

..

No one tells me what to do it’s just the base that’s thinking that I’m true
See them form a mob call enemies a slob
See how they cry
For vengeance

..

No one checking numbers, they take me at my less than word
Money out of pocket, suck it up they musty
Man they are so dumb believe that this is something good

..

I am the Charlatan
You are the simpletons
I am the Con ManGoo goo ga-rube goo goo ga-rube, goo goo ga-rube ga goo goo ga-rube ga goo

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Gettin’ Redder

(posted 08-18-19)

We’re gettin’ redder all the time

Democracy used to be cool (now it’s so passe)

It followed a true set of rules (they’re now so cliche)

Set by the father’s

Who took time to bother

Independence their then new crown jewel-ewll

..

I’m afraid where we sit we’re getting redder

As the GOP toes the line (thinking only purse)

Following trump cues to the letter

We’re getting redder

And Mitch won’t decline

..

We once were a free and proud land

But with despots we surely now stand

Trump tries to re-write while dimming the light

A constitution that’s not up to braa-aaand

..

I’m ‘fraid to admit we’re getting deader

a little deader in the mind (in the soul it’s worse)

I’m scared to admit it won’t get better

it won’t get better ‘less we de-cline

..

Getting so much redder all the time

We’re getting redder all the time

redder deader redder

For true elections we will pine

Values in a shredder

..

We once found a way to escape tyranny to keep us apart from cruel Kings and their word

But now we return and with trump words we’ll burn

Histry’s coming back vengeful full turn

..

We’ve got to escape now from the redder

Before it drowns us in the lies (yes it can get much worse)

We’ve got to stand up and to remember

When it was better and we were fine

We’ve got to get less redder there’s no time

Can we keep the red at bay-ay (stand up an be count-ed)

Push the auotcrat away-ay (grab hope make it swa-aay)

Can we get less redder while there’s time

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Trump D In The Lie With Zirconia

(posted 03-24-19)

Picture yourself in a swamp where truth quivers
With Orange tinged lies and white chocolate tries
A Senate adores you, you gloat in the glory
Of lapdog and sycophant cries

..

Cult like adornments white lettered on red
Witlessly cover their heads
Cast for the dumbest with blind in their eyes
And you’ve won

..

Trump D in the Lie with Zirconia
Trump D in the Lie with Zirconia
Trump D in the Lie with Zirconia
Ahhhhhhhhh….

..

Trump dumb dumb down to a negative measure
Where marshmallow people cry victim’s sad sighs
Backwards they go at behest of their master
Where white anger’s dumb it does rise

..

News outlets try all while ducking their heads
From Orange shouts looking for blood
But still Nielsen calls with their 30 coins pay
And they’re done

..

Trump D in the Lie he’s not heaven sent
Trump D in the Lie Sarah go get bent
Trump D’s GOP’s on a Hell descent
Ahhhhhhhhh….

..

Picture a sad orange cream sickle nightmare
Where real is accused of being the lie
Actual lies are then trotted state news style
A Fox truth democracy dies

..

Trump D in the Lie he’s not heaven sent
Trump D in the Lie Sarah go get bent
Trump D’s GOP’s on a Hell descent
Ahhhhhhhhh….

..

Trump D in the Lie with gold’s foolish

..

Trump D in the Lie with 49’ers
Trump D in the Lie with alchemy
Ahhhhhhhhh….

..

Trump D in the Lie with Zirconia
Trump D in the Lie with Zirconia
Trump D in the Lie with Zirconia
Ahhhhhhhhh…

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

A Stay In The Strife

(posted 06-02-19)

I read the news today, oh boy

Trump’s crooked law set to investigate

Distraction’s cries of being spied

Future des-pot just has to laugh

Conclusion’s writ it’s not a draft

..

William Low Barr is his new star

Recusal not this time full owned AG

Case outcome’s all-ready been made

For roses garden stage

A victim propaganda play to usher base a brand new day

..

I read a story just to-day

About religious right their prayers have scored

To force the mass to live their way

Back-wards by the good book

Blindness the new look

They love to dummmmmb yooooou downnnnnnn

..

(It’s rock paper scissors, what do you choose sir?

Rock of course

But paper covers you

Then I’ll be paper

But scissors cuts you

Well I’ll be scissors then

But rock breaks you

Well how can I win?

You can’t really…it’s a check check check

Well that’s not fair…to me…there has to be a win

There are wins, but only temporary sir

Well can I be all three checks?

That’s not how it works sir

Don’t tell me about how things work)

..

Woke up, feeling of dread

Dragged democracy across my head

Found a few old tales in parchment notes

And looking up the founder’s they did spoke

Found they liked a scene of checks

Keep Kings out of our new stead

But treason’s elephant it’s got a brand new game

Dem-ocracy?…it’s merely now mundane

aaaaaaaaaaahhhhh

..

(You see, it’s all about changing the rules son

But changing them isn’t fair sir

There is no fair

But you just said, to you, the game wasn’t fair

It wasn’t to me then, but I discovered it was rigged and I couldn’t win

It wasn’t rigged sir

Whatever, this is a new fair…my fair

Okay sir but….?

No buts…and everyone I talk to agrees)

..

So there’s the news today, oh boy

Fake called it is the tried true orange ploy

To gather base who pay no mind

To what real truth may find

It’s daily King con-firmed they’ll buy always the any of his lies

Trump loves to dummmmmb yooooou downnnnnnn

..

(I’m sorry sir, it’s been decided, you can’t change the rules

Really? Who said that?

Rock, paper or scissors?

Ok, I’ll play along…again…rock

Sorry, but parchment wins

Good luck with that son. It’s just tired old words on paper written by a bunch of tired old men.

Can I borrow those scissors…and a sharpee?)

Ricky & I

Ricky and I watched them warily and held back at a safe distance eventually going the other direction down the other side of the street so as to be even safer still as the older high school kids toilet papered and egged houses ahead of us as some sort of shit rolls downhill repayment for what we couldn’t possibly understand or imagine might be going on behind closed doors for them at home (I would learn years later, in the news). We just knew that we had a short window now where we hadn’t quite aged out of our trick or treating, something evidenced in the fact that we were already starting to get lazy in our costuming, always just hobo’s now, something that wouldn’t get more creative again until my college years but on those nights the “candy” was usually cheap beer and girls, another thing that couldn’t possibly be understood or imagined or even cared about then, we just still had our sweet teeth and some lazily costumed possible final attempts, this year, maybe next, to satisfy them for free and we didn’t need any of these toilet papering egging assholes seeing us and ruining it.

Ricky and I had become pretty adept at avoiding these guys in our neighborhood after school and on the weekends (thankfully we didn’t have to figure out any extra avoidance techniques during the school day just yet – we still had this one more year before we shared the halls with them, well at least the ones who hadn’t graduated yet, though Ricky and I were afraid that the ones that were supposed to graduate out might be held back and still be around for our first year of High School, a would be hell if they had anything to do with it).

No, it was just after school and the weekends and oh, the school bus that we all rode together though at least that interminable time was relatively short as interminable goes (ok, that was kinda most of the time) but we could always depend on our driver, Missus D, to have our backs and put the fear of Missus D in them if need be, sitting up front and telling her that Mom said Hi with her latest batch of sugar cookies and never forgetting her at Christmas time with cards from each of us and small finely, meticulously wrapped in wax paper offerings were definitely to our advantage.

But on this Halloween night, though we did our best to measure wary fear with still being able to hit up the neighborhood candy houses, our usually successful avoidance attempts weren’t good enough. Seems Tommy Whitmore, who had also taken to calling himself “Jax” around that time, don’t know why, maybe he just needed another name that wasn’t the “Tommy!!!” he heard yelled, screamed, slapped, surrendered to at home, must have seen us behind he and his boy’s mean spirits under the Dowling’s porch light and came down and across the street to wait just outside the light’s reach, that hard circle line of light on one side and dark on the other right before their garage, and, with hands on his hips and a stupid grin Tommy said,

“Hey boys, how ya doin’, and how ya doin’ in those candy bags of yours tonight?”

“We’re good Tommy, just leave us be, we’re not bothering you.”

“Hey, it’s “Jax”, but you are bothering me, bothering us” Tommy said with a hint of malice “just by being you, and you haven’t even offered me anything from your bags of goodies” as he did a grab while his boys hung just outside that light’s ring at the Dowling’s mailbox giggling even more stupidly than Tommy’s stupid grin.

“Hey, those are ours!!’ Ricky yelled, straight backed but for only an instant.

“Oh, he speaks, on his own, the redhaired one” as Ricky’s spine shrunk. “No, these are ours now and we’re also going to take you two on a ride.”

“No Tommy …” and a glare with a raised hand’s intent “No Jax … we have to get home, we’re not getting in any cars with you. We were done anyway, take our bags and just leave us be.”

“Well that just ain’t gonna happen you two …”

Then came a rush of wind sweeping past and around our heads … something usually reserved for family stories at backyard get togethers or at funerals when Ricky’s extended family would arrive, it was fast, a blur, made the ground shake just enough to unsettle your feet, make you feel a little askew. We knew what, who this was, Ricky & I, but Tommy and his boys didn’t.

I told you that Ricky and I had become pretty adept at avoiding these guys and we had, but it was more, sometimes a not just protecting ourselves, but protecting them.

“No Tommy …”

“It’s Jax”

“No Jax, not tonight”

“You gonna defy me, you useless pieces of shit, no that ain’t happenin’. Right boys?”

But the ground shook some more, the air trembled again, whooshed past and around us again, as air shouldn’t tremble like that and I stood my now shaky ground.

“Not now”

“And it’s Jax!!!” he yelled

“I wasn’t talking to you Tommy”

I said to Ricky “Not now” but his shrunk spine grew, not a one of simple stand up defiance, but just grew.

////////////////////////////////////////

I met Ricky through a mom’s get togethers in new neighborhood’s get togethers. Let’s introduce ourselves with kids to break the ice but really kids being just an excuse for Moms to drink wine on an early Saturday. I had seen Ricky on the ballfield in my new digs, after having moved from Baltimore to now Pittsburgh, he was a monster. His throws from his shortstop spot practically took the first baseman’s glove off and we weren’t even in high school yet.

“Do you play?” he asked me.

“I pitch”

“We could use one of those on our team. You any good?”

And that was it, I confounded him with my off the table curve that I shouldn’t have been throwing at that age and he tried to take the glove off of anyone who had the misfortune of playing first base. Instant friends.

////////////////////////////////////////

Friendships can be curious things. They might start with Moms using you as pawns for a glass of wine, or two, on a Saturday afternoon, they can be responses to what you don’t know yet of the evils of the world behind closed doors and you group, join forces, even if it’s only in a force of two or they can be things that were just supposed to happen, like Ricky with a rifle of an arm that make first basemen regret they play the game and you note, Ricky. He and I became a pair of buds linked through and through until, well, we just weren’t.

////////////////////////////////////////

“Not now”

“What not now you little prick?!”

“Ricky is my friend”

“And?”

“You don’t want to do this, he’s not liking you right now”

“What? Little redhead here?”

“Please just let it go Tommy” 

“I’s Jax!!” (and there was that raised hand)

////////////////////////////////////////

The other curious thing about friendships is that there are those that are just that, cursory things, friendships you recall for just being a friendship, where you might call each other to check in years later, heard you had a kid, how is the better half, what’s her name again but then there was Ricky and his secrets, his family’s secrets.

////////////////////////////////////////

His spine grew instead of a backing away shrink, unnaturally so, to four times his height and his red hair fired until it rivaled the sun right on that hard line of light and dark at the Dowling’s garage and he towered Tommy and his voice changed making any Tommy attempt at inspiring fear seem weak and puny “YOU WILL NOT MESS WITH MY FRIEND!” followed by a simple backhand slap.

And that was it, Tommy, not Jax, that new name nonsense ended that night, slunk away from out of the dust bins across the street and amid the scattering idiots he called pals.

“You’re done aren’t you Ricky?

“Yeah, gotta go now”

“Dammit Ricky, I have no one else and I don’t even want anyone else as my friend.”

“I know, me neither, but I gotta go”

“I know”

And then, there was that rush of wind again, picking up leaves and dust and moving things around in a small twister.

“Hey Missus D, thought that might be you”

“You good?”

“Yeah, I’m ok I guess, thank you for keeping an eye but …”

“Don’t worry, you’ll see him again, Ricky’s got a good heart, you know that, but he and my sister need to find another place now, to be safe, try and start again until Ricky learns how to control things. Plus, you’ll see him again ‘cause he always hated that he couldn’t hit your curveball, he’ll be practicing … Sugar cookies tomorrow?”

“Maybe the next day Missus D, gotta give Mom the head’s up”

“Ok, and maybe an offering wrapped finely in wax paper?”

“Of course, as always”

Back in January I visited Melanie’s “What Have They Done To My Song” for another of my parodies, though I am loathe to call them such as that implies “silly” and these certainly are NOT silly (for the most part). I’ve been working this angle for going on 7 years now with quite a lot of tunes, a boatload, and blah blah blah Steve, yes, your editorials in song as blah blah blah, no one is going to read any straight up editorial blah blah blah but if you put them to tune blah blah blah … you’ve told us.

But that is what it is and what I do though, I gotta say, in my own defense, they are all pretty toe tap worthy, biting and spot on and just darned good in that biting and spot on and toe tappingness.

Anyway, visited Melanie again and her “Brand New Key” now, a tune reminded the other day out of the corner of my ear at work from the ‘Magic’ station playing at my boss’s desk.

So, “Brand New Trump Key” then.

////////////////////////////////////////

Brand New Trump Key

I rode my motorcade to your city last night

To spin some lies and give you all such a fright

To harp on victim-like and rail conspiracies

I know you trust me know I’m just what you need

.

Well, I’ve got brand new world in mind here now

Take heart my unhinged screed

I’ll be proven right my ranting now

You just need to wait and see

I know what you need it’s a Donnie me

A fascist change of scene

.

Well, I’ve got a brand new world in mind here now

It just ain’t democracy

.

I ride my plan of year twenty of twenty five

I got my dee-scipes proving be worthy scribes

Of new world order in these United States

If you don’t subscribe you’ll surely be less than great

.

 
Oh yeah

Hah hah hah hah

Oh you will face my wrath

Hah hah hah hah

Oh yeah yeah yeah you’ll wish you hadn’t said that

.

I ask my people to stand up and be strong

Kiss my ring say they knew it all all along

That I was chosen by the man sittin’ way up high

To lead a fascist state while democracy dies

.

Well, I’ve got a brand new way to look at things

Won’t believe what I’ll bring

A brand new U.S.A. prosperity

‘long as you call me King

La la la la la la la la la la la

Well, I’ve got a brand new world in mind here now

It just ain’t democracy

Thought, as I have done before, to put some of my recent tunes into one convenient post.

You’re welcome.

//////////////////////////////////////////

Some boogie-woogie fun.

God Made Trump: Yeah, That Was In Error

So back in ’46 when God took a break

After world at war that had so much at stake

He blinked for second and before he knew what

A Fred had had a son who would think he the one

To lead his people to some new promised land

But a one where democracy could no longer stand

.

Well God said then I hope this ain’t a mistake

Just wanted take a sec and a little wine break

But future he could see at the hands of Fred’s son

Who’d find ways to rake in some new fresh coin

And adulation

From every sunup

From those just off a turnip truck

.

He’d think Prez down escalator to ride

A gold idol though behind God he’d try hide

He’d play up charlatans and God speaking Jakes

They’d get in prayer circles hoping then just to fake

His true Christian values that could be on the take

For just the right price

New discipes would buy right?

.

But then he got sold

On all he was told

And started to believe that God had foretold

That he was the chosen of new myth of old

Reality of course now it be on the run

At Rally’s he’d exclaim oh what such fun

To smite the nonbelievers

Who’d soon be cursed ones

.

Then God said oh me just what have I done

Can never take a Me damned break no matter the fun

Though that was fine wine worthy even of nuns

I must be on my toes truth it’s under the gun

At the hands of true believers who turn now to song

To praise an orange fraud they think’ll rise like the son

.

To deliver them a hero in a new paradise

Devoid of immigrants just gotta call ICE

He’d be the caretaker of their righteous white world

Where enemies in fetal poses they would be curled

He’d fight off the Marxists and the fascists to boot

His projections of the enemy would be such a hoot

.

To call them fascists while he’s making such plans

To make democracy a now also ran

He’d have his true believers seeing future in sight

Whatever he says conservative on the right

Not on the far left where the vermin do land

They need be threatened dead now that’s a good plan

.

They say he’ll be a guy who could shape and ax

But also wield a sword though that’s quite a task

He was brave in North Korea while stepping a foot

Thankfully no bone spurs de-ferred his look

But he gloried love letters of he and an Un

Such a nice fella who could take a sweet turn

.

But then he got sold

On all he was told

And started to believe that God had foretold

That he was the chosen of new myth of old

Reality of course now it be on the run

At Rally’s he’d exclaim oh what such fun

To smite the nonbelievers

Who’d soon be cursed ones

.

Then God he sat back and just shook his head

He’d said look what I’ve wrought in the U.S. of stead

I’ll surely face my wrath for what I’ve let done

And that wrath being mine won’t be as fun

I’d like me as God show discipes the real light

But they’re lost now don’t even realize their plight

.

That in a den of vipers he’s the head one

Leading all the rest to follow his red forked tongue

He’d offer Eve the Apple saying speaking of tongues

Leave that loser behind I am your one

Like the naked look that you got goin’ on

Now drop the fig leaf and let’s take the plunge

.

Adam … go away will ya? … busy here

You’re messing with my tiny mojo

No, God ain’t looking

D’ya think he cares?

.

But then he got sold

On all he was told

And started to believe

That God had foretold

That he was the chosen of new myth of old

And his discipes he continues to mold

.

They gather at his rally’s put together fan schlock

That God gave us Trump the one who’d care for the flock

A shepherd to mankind they say without jest

And surely damn you libs don’t put us to the test

He speaks of retribution he’s a man of his word

Unless you call him on it then he’ll say that’s absurd

.

So God sat back in a comfy cloud chair

To look at what was happenin’ down there

And orange idol thinking he was sent by me

Disciples feel the same but just for a fee

That’s when God said I think I’m done

Back to that glass of wine yeah that would be fun

Cause though he knows he dropped the ball in ‘46

He is still all seeing and likes his kicks

Maybe kill the bottle then for even more fun

Don’t know what could happen when God gets drunk

Maybe a something to get him out of his funk

.

Yo!

Angels?!

Yeah!!

I need another bottle!

And somebody … get me my files on divine retribution

//////////////////////////////////////////

Adding some lyrics to another instrumental from a friend of mine, Rob Eldridge, who can really bend a guitar.

Standin’ At The Edge Of The World (the devil & me)  

Found myself standin’ at the edge of the world

The devil at my side asking what I had heard

I said about what are you just asking in jest?

He said no mortal son just checkin’ if you’d kept a-breast  

Of what it was that I had goin’ on

Singing off key songs of a world at unrest

.

I said I did but that I didn’t despair

That there was still some hope yet … be found in the air

He said but seeing devil’s work just why would you care

And why do you assume it’s me who leads to despair

I said cause you’re the devil and the devil may care

And seems you do with me at the edge of the world

.

Well, it looks like I’ve more work to be done

To convince you all to just cut and run

Away from hope’s promise and flowery songs

Don’t stack up with reality and what I’ve made wrong

But I said you still ask your questions now

About your own song and the stories you’ve wrung

.

I still find a world where people stand up

To those casting dark days and forcing in darker ways till you empty your half cup

To not give in to singing of a dire world’s long

Gone hoping pay no mind to your evil tongue

You are the devil after all your words may be strong

But there’s still some time …  for us … to all get along

.

And fight you real world devils and sing different tomes

And maybe make you realize you’ll be left all alone

And any who’ve abandoned promise of pretty songs

That say we’ll right whatever you’ve done so so wrong

.

The devil left my side then

His songs at a loss

And I stood alone now at the edge of the world  

//////////////////////////////////////////

To R.E.M.’s “Don’t Go Back To Rockville”

Don’t Go Back To Trumpville

Looking at old hell a new time

Wonderin’ what we’ve done to be so cursed

In the possibility that

The Orange Devil could usher somethin’ worse

Only this time with an even darker promise

With vengeance in his blackened heart

.

He’ll persecute and prosecute

The order of which won’t matter when he’s done

Retribution will be his rally cry

To punish one and all  

And any who don’t comply

And offer fealty on bended knee

With bowed heads kissed rings even fresh lipstick

.

Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
And waste Democracy

.

At night he drinks himself to sleep

Of despot dreams jack booting in his head

He envies Xi and surely Vlad

Even Benito and now new Nazi Klan

Who find in him their great leader to follow

With violence waiting on a call

.

Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
And waste our future years

.

Some though feel that there’s no need to worry

Head in sand they see no real ur-gency

But anyone who’s not head under ground knows the danger that is found

In another orange presidency

It’s not the way to protect our liberty

And our too weak now Democracy

.

Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
And waste our future years

.

Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
Don’t go back to Trumpville
And waste Democracy

//////////////////////////////////////////

To Melanie’s “Look What They’ve Done To My Song”

Look What They’ve Done To Our Trump, Ma

Look what they’ve done to our Trump Ma

Look what they’ve done to our Trump

Well, fa-scism’s all he can do half right 

And somehow they say that’s wrong Ma

Look what they’ve done to our Trump

.

Look what they say ‘bout his brain Ma

Like using it’s a real strain

They point out that it’s a jumbled mess

All those liars in the press Ma

Look what they’ve done to our Trump

.

He just wants a good country for whites to live in Ma

One where his subjects will all call him … King

If he can rig a vote like ’16 true

All the libs will come to rue

Just what

Just what they’ve said of our Trump

.

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

C’mon everybody NA NA NA with me

Maybe even LA DE DA

Look what they’ve done to our Trump

.

But maybe it’ll work for the right Ma

Maybe Democracy’ll lose this fight Ma

Well his dee-sciples still buy his lies

And threatened violence well that could work out nice

Look what they’ve wrought in our Trump

.

Now this part here’s supposed to be in French Ma

But that wouldn’t be his intent Ma

Because he don’t sing of nothing but the US of A

And English speaking’s gotta be the only say

But he’s OK with fries made a French way

.

Look what they’ve done to our Trump Ma Ma Ma

They’ve turned him into such an orange grump Ma

He can’t even win a primary

Without them talking about that Haley

Look what they’ve done to our Trump

.

Hear what they say about our Trump Ma

They say the meanest things about our Trump Ma

They even have the gall to point out his lies

But never give him credit for how hard he tries

To straight face through them all of the time 

.

Look what they’ve done to our Trump Ma Ma Ma

Look what they’ve done to our Trump

Well, fa-scism’s all he can do half right 

And somehow they say that’s wrong Ma

But he wins this time there’ll be a new song

And a dark one

//////////////////////////////////////////

For the dearly departed Bob, who took one final unintended bus ride to the sky.

Oompa Loompa Bob Song

Oompa, Loompa, doompety-do
I’ve got a little story for you
Oompa, Loompa, doompety-dee
it’s about Bob so please listen to me

What do you get when you’re walking a street
Lost in your cell “hey, that video’s neat”
You don’t pay attention to what’s in your surrounds
Including that curb’s last mistake to be found

I don’t like the look of this

Oompa, Loompa, doompety-don’t
Step off that curb Bob please tell me you won’t
Oompa, Loompa, doompety-please
Lift your head, look around at that bus bearing down

… Ya big dope!

… You really dead dope!

… Oh, Bob

//////////////////////////////////////////

To Stealers Wheel “Stuck In The Middle With You”.

Stuck in Democracy’s Fight

Well don’t know which way we’ll head in this fight

Gonna be ‘bout truth or just what ain’t right

Democracy’s on table up in the air

Though the GOP just don’t seem to care

.

Heroes to the left of us

Fascists to the right

There we’ll be

Stuck in democracy’s fight

Yes we’re

Stuck tryin’ hold onto light

.

Well the rhetoric is dark and it harks 

To bleak history now back in an arc

Where it re-turns to new devil to bark

.

Heroes to the left of us

Fascists to the right

There we’ll be

Stuck in democracy’s fight

.

Well we hear it at the rallies

Violence a hope to carry then

And bluster to the rosters

of the pawns be called to muster

say pleeeeaasse

save us pleeeaaase

.

Oh!

.

Well democracy falls to the wayside

To the right kind that’s the new way to ride

Mind true leader till left’s left on the floor

Cause great country just can’t take anymore

.

They say

.

Evil’s to the left of us

Righteous to the right

Here we’ll be

Stuck in democracy’s fight

– break

Well, there’s a fight that is a brewin’

Constitution it’s a stewin’ now

It warned of men who would be kings

Tried steel from new need kissed rings

Put checks in

Pleeeaaassse

Pleeeaaassse

.

Well, we all know why we came here tonight

Be ‘bout truth or just what isn’t right

Democracy’s on table up in the air

Though 35 percent just don’t seem to care

.

Heroes to the left of us

Fascists to the right

There we’ll be

Stuck in democracy’s fight

Yes we’re

Stuck tryin’ hold onto light

Stuck in a fight for our lives

Liberty

Wants to continue to ride

Before needs in darkness then just to hide …

//////////////////////////////////////////

To the “Green Acres” theme song

Putin’s Patsies

Putin’s Patsies all abound you see

Littered ‘round dysfunctional GOP

From Margie Q to box of rocks Tomee

All echoing love of an Orange man crush deceit

.

Even Comrade Tucker cries why can’t you see

This all comes down to Russian supremacy  

Putins’ in the right and we all have it so wrong

He told us of such in his grand propagandist song

.

Repubs

Their thoughts

Take sides

Despots

.

Democracy dies

Fascism flies

Putin’s Patsies they want there

//////////////////////////////////////////

To “Billy Don’t Be A Hero”

Tucker, Russia’s State Hero

The marching heroes jackboot along red square

Right GOP wish join them there

We looked and there was Tucker Carson-ovich  

Glass held high for a grandstand pass

.

And with his head on Putin’s shoulder

His man crush who the press gets wrong 

From where he sat he knew west was lying

Time now to set the record straight

.

Tucker Russia’s state hero, you are like brother they say

Tucker Russia’s real hero, please re-direct all the hate

And as they started to talk the Russian press could be heard to cry

Tucker you’re our real hero platform the lies

.

The Russian news was on Carson-ov’s side now

Tell them of how we’ll de-Nazifi

That damned Ukraine our truth’s in demand now

The propgandists applaud the ruse

We know you’ll tell the world the whole truth

We didn’t invade it’s NATO’s fault

And Tucker raised his hand in consent yes

I’ll join you Russian journalists

.

Tucker Russia’s state hero, you are like brother they say

Tucker Russia’s real hero, please re-direct all the hate

And as they started to talk the Russian press could be heard to cry

Tucker you’re our real hero platform the lies

.

They implored Tucker send a message

To the west’s GOP crazees

You need stop sending aid to Ukraine now

And helping out that Zee-len-skee

you’re always welcome here our friend now …  comrade

.

Tucker Russia’s state hero, you are like brother they say

Tucker Russia’s real hero, please re-direct all the hate

Tucker keep being traitor, we’ll crush that dee-mocracy

Tucker keep propping up white Christian supremacy

Tucker Russia’s state hero, you are like brother they say 

Tucker Russia’s state hero won’t you please stay

//////////////////////////////////////////

To Terry Jacks “Seasons In The Sun” and an ode to my lost BB the Car

BB In The Sun (I was boy, you were car)

Goodbye to you my BB friend

You came along when I needed you just then

Get out Durango money pit

Its maintenance was causing fits

Seemed every five was on a lift

.

Goodbye to you my BB friend

My discontinued Scion to the end

Until that woman tried to turn

Left leaving you then to be burned

Up on the sidewalk you were turned

.

I was boy you were car

Together we went near and far

You got me also to and fro

And even sometimes back and forth

.

You were shaped just like a box

Thumbing your nose at whole S-U-V flock

If you’re in school they would make fun

But you wouldn’t care at all

Away with me from them you’d go

.

You were color of decency

Looked it up your color blue-ish green

Who’d a known of such a thing

Teal it was named after a bird

We flew together like that bird

.

I was boy you were car

Together we went near and far

You got me also to and fro

And even sometimes back and forth

.

You were car I was boy

Stick shift you were my real joy

Just were careful on small hills

Drifting back could meet a grill

.

Thought you must then sure have a name

Something to call you then I could exclaim

When idiots they pissed us off

On the road as drivers will

Even in the end idiots still

.

I went with Teal and you a box

TB I thought but braked hard on that thought

TB yeah that would be awkward

BB instead it was to be

Blue close enough and box you he

.

I was boy you were car

Together we went near and far

You got me also to and fro

And even sometimes back and forth

.

You were car I was boy

Stick shift you were my real joy

Just were careful on small hills

Drifting back could meet a grill

.

All our days we had fun

We even rocked under the sun

Open windows loud in song

Though traffic never sang along

.

I was boy you were car

Together we went near and far

You got me also to and fro

And even sometimes back and forth

So when all is said and uh … eclipsed … it was kind of a nothingburger this whole eclipse brouhaha, and it happened behind the cover of clouds from where I was at in the Hudson Valley anyway, like the wizard doing funky wizard shit but all behind the curtain and then producing nothing special or magical or even slightly weird except for a slight dimming of the lights (though I swear I felt someone touch my knee … freakin’ pervert wizards, I might have to lodge a complaint with the Wizard Bureau), no unicorns appeared being ridden by sprites, no animals suddenly stood up on their hind legs drinking coffee at the office talking about last night’s game, well, except for Bill, who’s not a sports fan, who went out back for a REALLY quick smoke, no munchkins started singing munchkin songs and dancing in pointy shoes at Dunkin’, no Netflix shows based on weird eclipse stuff had a critically acclaimed first season and then got canceled just as it was gaining an audience, Oh, and no rapture!!

A Facebook friend, Heather, noted this in a post of hers “I have heard zero reports of raptures. A bit disappointed in all of you. Bitches”

That’s a quote by the way and she was absolutely right!

And I was pretty excited for a moment too, I mean I actually started to rapture, or was being raptured, or was rapturing, not quite sure how to use the word, and as I was slowly being lifted up through the clouds (don’t recommend that part, kinda damp and chilly and possibly could have you dodging planes with safety issues) I heard a booming voice from above me.

“Hey, you Frankenberry? The old DJ?”

I said “Yeah … wait, are you the big guy?”

“Well, don’t matter now if I am cause you ain’t comin’”

“What????”

“Every time I called you on the air back in your Pittsburgh days you NEVER played any of my requests, not a one, not “Freebird” not “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” Dylan OR Guns N Roses, not “Unskinny Bop” and especially not “Stairway to Heaven” … ever!”

“Unskinny Bop”, really??”

“See, you’re still judging me!! I heard what you said about me after we hung up back then and even now you’re still thinking, Man, this dude continues to be lame, all those songs suck – though Unskinny Bop just sucks in a completely different silly sucky sorta way”

“Well, Hell I’m sorr….”

“And there, that kicks it, trying to get raptured and you’re referencing Hell … (to self) this fucking guy”

“Is that how you would use it by the way, like a verb, being “raptured”? I just wasn’t quite sure”

“Well, I guess so, I mean that’s how I’ve always thought of it, especially if I decided the time was right, you know, to rapture, look at deserving souls when they arrive, most surely confused and disoriented, and saying to them in an extra big game show truck pull announcer voice with some echo and reverb, first impressions right? HEY EVERYBODY!!! WELCOME!! (echo, reverb, echo, reverb) LOOK UP HERE AND SMILE (echo, reverb, echo, reverb) YOU’VE BEEN RAPTURED!! No, no selfies please, waaaaay too many of us anyway, plus I am sort of mystery, don’t “picture” well. NOW C’MON UP AND CLAIM YOUR NEW CLOUD CAR!!!”

“Oh ok, interesting”

“Hey, enough stalling, I’m letting you go …”

“Wait!!! You did request “Turn the Page” too and I didn’t judge you on that, didn’t think it sucked at all, I like rock n roll road songs, well except Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive”, sheeshhh that one …”

“You know I love Bon Jovi right?”

“(sigh) of course you do. Really letting me no go now aren’t you?”

“Yep”

“See ya”

“Don’t count on it”

Yeah, Heather was right, the whole eclipse thing was pretty disappointing, well except for Rutger Hauer’s “Navarre” and Michelle Pfeiffer’s “Isabeau”, they at least found some magic in this eclipse business and Mathew Broderick’s “Mouse” was redeemed so …

But that rapture possibility?

My, our ass!!

Bitches!!

So this one from dVerse poets was a prompt of photos from a John McKaveney and picking one to write a poem on about.

They whistle while they work

Original hymns before hymns were made corrupt

Star builders

Whistled songs that float starry eyed unheard but shouted in cosmos void

known  

To mothers who taught them

Of the building of skies to be seen in the dark

through eyes dim

earth

so many small 

dammed by hymns of fear

But from the scratch of dust and particle cloud

from whence we came you can’t explain how hymns just 

take what isn’t theirs

To be seen in scared scarred curious spaces of

hard and soft bits of bangs

big

built from scratch

New stars to be seen

Though long dead

To wonder and fear

In hymns and homily’s 

to check

to hold 

.

We are star builders and we sing

Original hymns