Paula Boggs Band - America 2020

America 2020
By Paula Boggs
©️2020 All Rights Reserved

Opening (Voice and drumbeat only)
I need a shower.
I’m on the brink.
This body snatching, nation bashing drives me to drink
And I’m weary,
Even three time zones away.
This never ending freak show rocks my every waking hour every day.

Verse 1
An exorcism.
We need it now.
Erykah Badu we need your funky voodoo.
Your nine inch nails and incense smells.
Your “freaky-deaky get your boney **** off my grass”
Icy cool.
Cuz you don’t suffer fools.
Common’s kumbayah ain’t enough.

Verse 2
When I was little I pledged the flag.
People need symbols, national swag.
I don’t begrudge protest or fight.
You see I wore the uniform to protect your right.
Our mothers bled so we could be well-read
Common’s kumbayah ain’t enough.

Bridge

“Help ain’t yet on the way,”
Said a homeless Oracle I met yesterday.

Chorus

America, America what happened to us?
Never perfect but now we blasphemous.
When you think of the blood
Our founders shed,
They’re rolling in their graves... (3 beat pause)
Grateful they are dead.

Verse 3
No matter if you came by choice or chains.
Or already here when the others came.
We’re three legs of just one stool.
If you think something else you a damned fool.
And we won’t suffer you
Cuz Common’s kumbayah ain’t enough.

Instrumental

Bridge
“Help ain’t yet on the way,”
Said a homeless Oracle I met yesterday.

Chorus
America, America what happened to us?
Never perfect but now we blasphemous.
When you think of the blood
Our founders shed,
They’re rolling in their graves... (3 beat pause)
Rolling in their graves
Rolling in their graves
Grateful they are dead.