by Paul McKenna © 1998     
Tune: “All Together Now” by the Beatles from the movie, “Yellow Submarine”
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

1-2-3-4
I ain’t takin’ anymore.
5-6-7-8-9-10,
How ‘bout you?

A-B-C-D,
We’re demanding equity,
We’re fed up with not getting our due,
How ‘bout you?

Take a stand (TAKE A STAND)
Fight the fight (FIGHT THE FIGHT)
Organize (ORGANIZE)
And do it right!

CHORUS: All together now (ALL TOGETHER NOW)
All together now (ALL TOGETHER NOW)
All together now (ALL TOGETHER NOW)
All together now (ALL TOGETHER NOW)

Black, white, beige, brown
We’ll bring justice to this town.
Red, green, lavender, and gray, too,
How ‘bout you?

CHORUS TWICE

Rock the boat (ROCK THE BOAT)
Kick some ass (KICK SOME ASS)
Mobilize (MOBILIZE)
The working class!

CHORUS TWICE

REPEAT CHORUS AND ACCELERATE

by Paul McKenna © 2020
(Tune: “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and the Papas
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

I can barely breathe (I can barely breathe)
And the sky is brown (and the sky is brown).
Fire is runnin’ wild (fire is runnin’ wild)
And threatening our town (threatening our town).
Everywhere you go (everywhere you go)
The state is burnin’ down (the state is burnin’ down)
California’s screamin’ (California’s screamin’)
We’ve got to make a change!

Lethal hurricanes
Are getting’ worse each year.
There’s superheated air (superheated air)
In the atmosphere (in the atmosphere).
Cities on the ocean (cities on the ocean)
Are overcome with fear (overcome with fear)
Florida is screamin’ (Florida is screamin’)
We’ve got to make a change!

All around the world (all around the world),
Seas are on the rise (seas re on the rise),
Glaciers vanishing (glaciers vanishing)
Right before our eyes (right before our eyes).
The time to act is running out (tine is running out)
The status quo’s insane (status quo’s insane).
All the world is screamin’,
We’ve got to make change,
California’s screamin’,
We’ve got to make a change.
Polynesia’s screamin’,
We’ve got to make a change.
India is screamin’,
We’ve got to make a change.
Africa is screamin’
We’ve got to make a change.
The Caribbean’s screamin’
We’ve got to make a change.
The Amazon is screamin’,
We’ve got to make a change.
All the world is screamin’
We’ve got to make change!

by Paul McKenna © 2020
(Tune: “At the Hop” by Danny and the Juniors)
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

Chop, chop, chop, chop
Chop, chop, chop, chop,
Chop, chop, chop, chop,
Chop, chop, chop, chop,
From the top!

If you’re balancin’ the budget, then the place you oughta cut it is the top.
If you’re makin’ an incision, then the obvious decision is the top.
So take our advice and do all your slicin’ at the top.

CHORUS: Chop it from the top (you’ve got to)
Chop it from the top (you’ve got to)
Chop it from the top (you’ve got to)
Chop it from the top.
Come on, chop it from the top.

There’s too much administration with excessive compensation at the top
If you’re exercising prudence on behalf of all the students, hit the top.
You can find the cash if you do your slashin’ at the top.

CHORUS

If you’re balancin’ the budget, then the place you oughta cut it is the top.
If you’re makin’ an incision, then the obvious decision is the top.
So take our advice and do all your slicin’ at the top.
There’s too much administration with excessive compensation at the top.
If you’re exercising prudence on behalf of all the students, hit the top.
No ifs, ands, or buts, you gotta make your cuts at the top.

CHORUS

Chop, chop, chop, chop
Chop, chop, chop, chop,
Chop, chop, chop, chop,
Chop, chop, chop, chop,
From the top!

by Paul McKenna © 2021
(Tune: “Don’t Mess With Bill” by the Marvellettes)
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

Don’t pass that bill, no-n-no-no, don’t pass that bill,
Donald Trump says we stole the election from him, and his followers are buyin’ that line,
So his lackeys in the State Legislature want to stop us from voting next time.
Hear what we say-ay, throw it away-ay-ay, uh-uh-huh,
Don’t pass that bill, no-n-no-no, don’t pass that bill,
‘Cause that bill is unjust (don’t pass that bill)
And defeat it we must (don’t pass that bill).

Their policies are unpopular, and they’re in the minority,
Instead of learning their lesson, now, voter suppression has become their priority.
Hear what we say-ay, throw it away-ay-ay, uh-uh-huh,
Don’t pass that bill, no-n-no-no, don’t pass that bill,
It’s a horrible bill (don’t pass that bill)
It deserves to be killed (don’t pass that bill)

They’re doin’ their best to turn back the clock to the bad old days of Jim Crow,
When voting rights were reserved to whites, well, it’s time for us to say “Hell, no!”
Hear what we say-ay, throw it away-ay-ay, uh-uh-huh,
Don’t pass that bill, no-n-no-no, don’t pass that bill,
‘Cause that bill is unfair (don’t pass that bill),
We got a right to be scared (don’t pass that bill).

We fought long and hard to win the right to vote and we won’t let them take it away.
But we’d be making progress if the US Congress would pass HR 1 today.
Hear what we say-ay, pass it today, uh-uh-huh,
Let’s pass that bill, pass it today, let’s pass that bill,
Pass HR 1, (let’s pass that bill)
Time to get it done (let’s pass that bill).
It’ll block the bad bills (pass HR 1)
That deserve to be killed (pass HR 1).
‘Cause those bills are a unjust (pass HR 1).
And block them we must (pass HR 1).
‘Cause those bills are a crime (pass HR 1).
Say it one more time (pass HR 1)
LET’S PASS IT! PASS HR 1 TODAY!

by Paul McKenna © 1981
(Tune: “Vive L’Amour, Vive La Companie)”
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

Come ev’ry good worker and listen to me.
Down with the company!
Join up in our strike if you want to be free.
Down with the company!
Please honor our picket line, don’t try to cross.
Down with the company!
Sing up with the union and down with the boss.
Down with the company!

CHORUS
Oh, down with the, down with the, down with the boss.
Down with the, down with the, down with the boss.
Down with the boss, down with the boss,
Down with the company!

The boss is a liar, a snake, and a crook.
Down with the company!
He mistreats the workers and doctors the books.
Down with the company!
His head’s made of sand and his heart’s made of stone.
Down with the company!
He keeps all the bread and he throws us a bone.
Down with the company! CHORUS

The boss is determined to bust up our strike.
Down with the company!
We’re not going back ‘til we get what we like.
Down with the company!
Our jobs and our livelihoods we will defend.
Down with the company!
The union is going to win in the end.
Down with the company! CHORUS

REPEAT CHORUS

by Paul McKenna © 2011
Tune: “My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean”
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

The Higher Ed classified workers are ready to stand up and fight.
There’s not one of us who’s a shirker. It’s time they start treating us right.

CHORUS: Fight back, fight back, fight back for fairness and equity.
Fight back, fight back, fight back for you and for me.

This system is rolling in money. we know they’ve got plenty of dough.
Their future is rosy and sunny, so why are my wages so low? CHORUS

The classified workers are starving, while bosses get raises and perks.
A big piece of pie they are carving, but who do you think does the work? CHORUS

Now SEIU is insisting that we get our share of the pie,
But so far the boss is resisting and feeding us pie-in-the-sky. CHORUS

They made me take off for a furlough. They said that their budget is tight.
My pay is already for sure low. This picture somehow is not right. CHORUS

They’ve always got funds for consulting, for deans and directors galore,
So it’s nothing short of insulting, when they have the nerve to cry poor. CHORUS

So, brothers and sisters, I’ve had it. It’s time for the nonsense to end,
So let’s all stand up and have at it. We won’t let ‘em fool us again. CHORUS

by Paul McKenna © 1981, Revised 2017
Tune: “Home on the Range”
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

When I was young, it was always great fun
To read about brave Robin Hood,
But now things have changed in a way that is strange--
Hood Robin's now haunting the woods.

CHORUS: Hood Robin's his name.
He steals from the poor and the lame,
And he gives to the rich.
Now ain't that a switch
From the hero of storybook fame.

He travels the land with his renegade band
Any day now he’ll come to your town.
He plunders and robs, stealin’ money and jobs
And tearing the working class down. CHORUS

There’s no money to spare for medical care
And food stamps have got to be chopped,
But there’s billions for bombs and new Vietnams
And tax breaks for folks at the top. CHORUS

Now I've had enough of this Hood Robin stuff.
Let's get rid of that sucker for good,
Send him and his band to some faraway land
And bring back good old Robin Hood. CHORUS

by Paul McKenna © 2015
Tune: “YMCA” by the Village People
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

People want affordable care
For their families so they know that it’s there
When they need it, so in 2010,
We enacted legislation.
Congress fin’lly stepped to the plate
And decided we could no longer wait
And they acted for the good of the land,
To bring health care to the nation.

CHORUS: And so we’re saying hooray ACA,
This legislation is with us to stay.
After so many years, we have finally won,
And a new day has now begun.
And we are saying hooray ACA,
And we’re not letting them take it away.
No matter what they do, no matter how they attack,
We’re movin’ forward, we ain’t goin’ back.

The right wing has been reeling in shock,
And they blabber and they talk and they talk.
They’re determined that they’ll turn back the clock,
Seems they have not heard the news that,
People have been getting the word,
And they’ve signed up and at last they’re insured
And they’re finding that their hope is restored,
And we don’t intend to lose that. CHORUS

REPEAT CHORUS

by Paul McKenna © 2021
(Tune: “I Ain’t Got No Home” by Woody Guthrie)
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

I ain’t got no home, I’m just a-roamin’ ‘round.
My address is wherever I happen to lay down.
The police, they make it hard, everywhere I go,
And I ain’t got no home in this world anymore.

I’m living in a tent, I pitch it where I can,
Until the cops say “move along,” with another camping ban.
Sometimes I end up sleeping on someone else’s floor,
‘Cause I ain’t got no home in this world anymore.

I used to have a place that I could call my own,
But then the landlord raised the rent and forced me from my home.
Got fired from my job--that left me sick and poor.
Now I ain’t got no home in this world anymore.

Tried living in a shelter, that didn’t work for me.
One time I got pneumonia, then it was T.B.
I nearly lost my life, I ain’t doin ‘that no more,
Now I ain’t got no home in this world anymore.

I keep all my belongings in this gunny sack,
Or in this canvas duffel bag I carry on my back,
Or in this shopping cart I took from a Safeway store,
“Cause I ain’t got no home in this world anymore.

Last summer it got hot, so hot I almost fried.
This winter it got cold, so cold I nearly died.
Sometimes it’s just not safe to be living out of doors,
But I ain’t got no home in this world anymore.

A lifetime ago now, I signed up for the Corps.
In Iraq and Afghanistan I did a couple tours.
I lost a lot of pals, I still don’t know what for,
Now I ain’t got no home in this world anymore.

Each day I walk the streets, tryin to keep out of the rain.
I stand on street corners askin’ people for spare change.
Most times they look away, tryin’ to ignore,
That I ain’t got no home in this world anymore.

I really hate to beg or be stinkin’ up the place,
But I’d appreciate it if you’d look me in the face.
Someday it could be you, who knows what life has in store.
Then you won’t have a home in this world anymore.

I ain’t got no home, I’m just a-roamin’ ‘round.
My address is wherever I happen to lay down.
The police, they make it hard, everywhere I go,
And I ain’t got no home in this world anymore.

by Paul McKenna © 1981
(Tune: “I Saw The Light” by Hank Williams)
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

I used to think that the boss was my friend.
I’d stand behind him through thick and thin,
Workin’ all day and into the night,
That was me till I saw the light.

I saw myself as one of a team,
Part of the great American dream.
The company was growin’, the future looked bright.
So I thought till I saw the light.

CHORUS: I saw the light, I saw the light,
I realized that the Union was right.
Now I am ready to stand up and fight.
I’m with the Union, I saw the light.

The union organizer came to our shop.
He said that we needed a voice on the job,
But I said “I don’t need no union, the company treats me right.”
That’s what I said till I saw the light.

Then out of the blue came the cutbacks in staff.
Our working force was cut by one half,
And they said “Please understand, our budget is tight.”
That’s the day I saw the light. CHORUS

Long-term employees were thrown out the door.
Young folks and new hires, they stayed on board.
Our big happy family was busted up that night,
And all of a sudden, I saw the light. CHORUS

REPEAT CHORUS

by Paul McKenna © 2020
Tune: “I Won’t Grow Up” from “Peter Pan”
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

I won’t give up (I won’t give up)
Or acknowledge that I lost (or acknowledge that I lost).
I don’t care about the damage (I don’t care about the damage).
I don’t care about the cost (I don’t care about the cost).
If giving up means asking me
To show a smidgen of maturity
I’ll never give up, never grow up, never give up
Not me!

I won’t concede (I won’t concede).
The election was a sham (the election was a sham).
Mail-in ballots are illegal (mail-on ballots are illegal)
And a Democratic scam (and a Democratic scam).
If it means acting decently
Or with a modicum of dignity
I’ll never give up, never grow up, never give up,
Not me!

Never will admit defeat, I won’t!
Never will initiate transition.
Stalling and obstructing is my mission,
Joe can go to Hell,
Kamala as well!

I won’t step down (I won’t step down),
For another twenty years (for another twenty years).
I’ll be president forever (I’ll be president forever)
Like my buddy Vladimir (like my buddy Vladimir).
If stepping down requires me
To do what’s best for our democracy,
I’ll never step down, never step down,
I’ll never grow up, never grow up,
I’ll never give up, never give up,
Never give up, not me!
No sir!
So there!

by Paul McKenna © 1996
Tune: “England Swings” by Roger Miller
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

CHORUS: Idaho stinks like a dirty dog do.
It’s a right-to-work state and the rich make the rules.
The unions are weak, the wages are low,
So don’t turn our state into Idaho.

Now if you are a boss, and you want to cut your costs,
You want to be in total charge, holdin’ all the cards,
Take my advice before you make your choice,
Let me tell you where to go—go to Idaho. ‘Cause…CHORUS

Well, Idaho’s a state with a lot o’ millionaires,
A lot o’money flowin, but few get a share.
You’re either on the top and you’re a rollin’ in the dough,
Or you’re barely getting’ by—that’s Idaho. ‘Cause…CHORUS

Workers in our state are union and proud.
We don’t want no part of that open shop crowd,
So if they want your signature, tell ‘em hell no,
On right-to-work-for-less—leave it in Idaho. ‘Cause…CHORUS

REPEAT CHORUS

by Paul McKenna © 1999
Tune: “It’s A Long Way To Tipperary”
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

There’s a right way for temporaries when the need is bonafide.
If the work should fluctuate or vary, a temporary is justified.
And if you pay and treat them fairly, a temporary’s rightly used,
But it’s a wrong, wrong way for temporaries, when temporaries are abused.

I have a friend, her name is Mary, and Mary works here every day,
And Mary is a temporary--well, at least, that’s what they say,
But, my friends, it’s truly scary, the way that Mary is misused.
For it’s a wrong, wrong way for temporaries, when temporaries are abused.

It's a wrong way for temporaries when you stay around for years,
When you always must be wary and inhibited by fears.
If you complain or act contrary, it’s a cinch--you're gonna lose.
And it’s a wrong, wrong way for temporaries, when temporaries are abused.

It’s a wrong way for temporaries, when you get no benefits.
No sick leave and no health care ei-ther. Let me tell you, it’s the pits.
But now it’s time to face it squarely and to end this shameful ruse,
For it's a wrong, wrong way for temporaries, when temporaries are abused.
But we will see a brand new day for temporaries, when we join SEIU.

by Paul McKenna © 2022
Tune: “My Guy” as recorded by Mary Wells; written by Smokey Robinson
Download printable version (created 8/20/23)

Once I was Never Trump, now I’m just a chump for MAGA (MAGA).
Once I was moderate, now I’ve lost my shit to MAGA (MAGA).
Now I’m unequivocally Donald’s guy
And when he says to jump, I say, “How high?”
I’ve joined up in the cult and now I am ultra-MAGA.

Notions that used to make me cringe from MAGA (MAGA),
And crazy ideas from the radical fringe of MAGA (MAGA),
Have moved into the mainstream narrative,
And that is now the world where I live.
I’ve joined up in the cult and now I am ultra-MAGA.

I used to be a voice of the center-right.
Now I’ve had a conversion and I’ve seen the light,
And like Elise Stefanik and J.D. Vance,
Whenever Trump whistles, I get up and dance.

All my rational filters have disappeared with MAGA (MAGA).
I’ve embraced ideas I once dismissed as weird with MAGA (MAGA),
Like conspiracy theories from QAnon,
And any semblance of sanity is gone.
I’ve joined up in the cult and now I am ultra-MAGA.

After January 6, I said “Trump is done” like MAGA (MAGA).
Now I’ve come to see I need to hold my tongue with MAGA (MAGA),
I went down to Mar-A-Lago to kiss his ring.
Now when he calls the tune, I sing.
You know I’ve joined the cult and now I am ultra-MAGA.
You know I’ve joined the cult and now I am ultra-MAGA.
You know I’ve joined the cult and now I am ultra-MAGA.

by Paul McKenna © 2021
Tune: “Mansion on the Hill” by Hank Williams
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

The minimum wage needs increasing.
It’s long overdue for a raise,
But the Senator from West Virginia
Is stubbornly blocking the way.

We could raise it to fifteen an hour,
As part of the big budget bill,
But we need fifty Democrats to pass it,
So call Joe Manchin on the Hill!

Republicans will not support us,
Despite all our lobbying skill,
We’ve got zero margin for error,  
So call Joe Manchin on the Hill.  

We’ve waited so long for this moment.
Next year we could be waiting still.
So pick up your phone right this minute,
And call Joe Manchin on the Hill.

You can reach him in his Senate office,
Right up there on Capitol Hill,
We need him to hear from working people,
So call Joe Manchin on the Hill.
202-224-3954,
Just call Joe Manchin on the Hill.

by Paul McKenna © 20o1
(Tune: Mademoiselle from Armetieres”)
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

Marginalize the privateers, parlez-vous,
Marginalize the privateers, parlez-vous.
Marginalize the privateers, throw ‘em right out on their ears.
Inky-dinky, parlez vous..

Privatization is a hoax, parlez-vous,
Privatization is a hoax, parlez-vous.
Privatization is a hoax, another attack on working folks.
Inky-dinky, parlez vous..

Competition is all the rage, parlez-vous,
Competition is all the rage, parlez-vous.
Competition is all the rage, cut the staffing and slash the wage.
Inky-dinky, parlez vous..

Public funding in jeopardy, parlez-vous,
Public funding in jeopardy, parlez-vous,
Public funding in jeopardy, so give the work over to industry,
Inky-dinky, parlez vous..

They skim off the cream and leave the rest, parlez-vous,
They skim off the cream and leave the rest, parlez-vous,
They skim off the cream and leave the rest, while someone else cleans up the mess.
Inky-dinky, parlez vous..

We’re taking a stand for quality, parlez-vous,
We’re taking a stand for quality, parlez-vous.
We’re taking a stand for quality, and public accountability,
Inky-dinky, parlez vous..

It’s time to bring the work back in, parlez vous.
It’s time to bring the work back in, parlez vous.
It’s time to bring the work back in, we’ll fight this fight until we win.
Inky-dinky, parlez vous..

So marginalize the privateers, parlez-vous,
Marginalize the privateers, parlez-vous.
Marginalize the privateers, throw ‘em right out on their ears.
Inky-dinky, parlez vous..

by Paul McKenna © 2023
(Tune: “The End of the Line” by The Traveling Willburys)
Download printable version (created 8/20/23)

(The PDF has bolded phrases to be sung by group)

We are on strike, it’s time for us to take a stand.
Yeah, we’re on strike, we’re drawin’ a line in the sand.,
We are on strike, takin’ on Hollywood
Yeah, we’re on strike, until they do what they should.

We’re livin’ in a whole new world since Covid hit. (We’ll be out on the line.)
It’s time the studios acknowledged it. (We’ll be out on the line.)
The entertainment business as it used to be (We’ll be out on the line.)
Is history.

We are on strike, members of the Writers Guild,
Yeah, we’re on strike, we’ve got a movement to build.
We are on strike, SAG-AFTRA joinin’ in.,
Yeah, we’re on strike, we’re holdin’ out till we win.

All of the money is in streaming now (We’ll be out on the line.)
Computer screens have come to be the new cash cow. (We’ll be out on the line.)
And so the contract we signed three years ago (We’ll be out on the line.)
Has got to go.

We are on strike, fightin’ for our fair share.
Yeah, we’re on strike, we know that the money’s there.
We are on strike, enough of pleading poverty.
Yeah, we’re on strike, you’re on the wrong side of history.

We’ve got a message for the powers that be. (We’ll be out on the line.)
Please recognize the new reality. (We’ll be out on the line.)
Wake up and smell the coffee in the pot. (We’ll be out on the line.)
It’s boiling hot.

We are on strike, demanding to receive our due.
Yeah, we’re on strike, and be paid for the work we do.
We are on strike, joining in unity.
Yeah, we’re on strike, for justice and equity.

We are on strike, fightin’ for our fair share.
Yeah, we’re on strike, we know that the money’s there.
We are on strike, enough of pleading poverty.
Yes, we’re on strike, you’re on the wrong side of history.

by Paul McKenna © 2001
Tune: “Summertime Blues” by Eddie Cochran
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

Well I’m gonna raise a fuss, Lord, I’m gonna raise a holler,
About workin’ day and night just to try to earn a dollar.
Well sometimes I wonder what I’m gonna do,
‘Cause there ain’t no cure for the overtime blues.

For six long weeks I worked without a day off.
When the rush was over I was lookin’ at a layoff.
Yeah, it’s boom or bust and either way you lose,
‘Cause their ain’t no cure for the overtime blues.

Now the eight-hour day was a great labor vict’ry,
But lately it’s fading into ancient history,
And the forty-hour week is a lie and a ruse,
‘Cause there ain’t no cure for the overtime blues.

Well, we held a nationwide strike at Verizon,
And we beat forced overtime with good organizin’.
So spread the word about the joyful news—
We found a cure for the overtime blues!

by Paul McKenna © 1980
Tune: “A Miner's Life”
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

The times are tough for public workers. Every day it's something new--
Furlough days and hiring freezes, freezes in our wages, too,
Paychecks pounded by inflation, budgets cut down to the bone.
We have got to stick together. It's no time to stand alone.

CHORUS: Public workers, stand together,
Stand with pride and dignity.
We are all in this together,
Every public employee.

Power-hungry politicians, trying to fuel their own careers
Use the workers as their scapegoat, playing on the public's fear.
They turn the populace against us with the lies they fabricate.
Let's tell our side of the story. Then we'll set the record straight. CHORUS

Profiteering corporations feeding at the public trough
Are taking over public programs, laying long-time workers off.
They paint us all a pretty picture of doing more and costing less,
Then skip town with all the money, leaving us to fix the mess. CHORUS

Workers in the private sector, we're no different from you.
We work hard to feed our families, pay our rent and taxes, too.
It doesn't matter who we work for, we're all workers like yourselves,
So whenever they attack us, they're attacking you as well.

FINAL CHORUS: Working people, stand together,
Stand with pride and dignity,
We are all in this together,
Stand in solidarity.

REPEAT FINAL CHORUS

by Paul McKenna © 2024
Tune: “Ramblin’ Man” by The Allman Brothers
Download printable version (created 8/31/24)

CHORUS: Lord, I was born a ramblin’ man.
I’m tryin’ to stay on topic, but I don’t think I can.
I’ll veer off on some tangent and God knows where I’ll land,
‘Cause I was born a ramblin’ man.

Last week I held a rally down in Georgia.
They said to talk about th’economy.
Instead I went off ramblin’ about KaMAla’s name,
Soundin’ as crazy as can be.

CHORUS

My script is written on the teleprompter.
It tells me what to say, this I know,
But every time some zany notion pops into my head,
Off into LaLa Land I go.

CHORUS

Some people say I’m showin’ the signs of agin’.
My brain is breakin’ down in front of you,
Well, if you want to keep me out of the White House, folks,
You know exactly what to do.
VOTE FOR HARRIS!

CHORUS

by Paul McKenna © 2011
Tune: “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

When the rich control all the country’s wealth
And our leaders are servants to their needs
Then the time has come for the working folks
To stand up and fight back in unity.

CHORUS: So brothers, sisters, stand with us
Oh-oh stand with us,
Stand up for a nation that is just.

Now the Governor and his well-heeled friends
Have declared war on Wisconsin’s working class.
And if we sit back and let them have their way,
Then our downfall will surely come to pass. CHORUS

If the middle class in America
Like a mountain should crumble to the sea,
Tell me who will remain to keep our country strong
And to fuel our nation’s economy?

CHORUS:

by Paul McKenna and Jeffrey Vogel © 2021
Tune: “Stop In The Name of Love” by The Supremes
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

Stop in the name of Earth, dear planet of our birth,
Think it o-o-ver, think it o-o-ver.
Global warming is a threat to all the world and all of the human race.
We’ve got to turn to the wind and sun.
The days of oil, coal and gas are done.
We can’t wait any longer, friends.
Our fuel addiction must end.
Hear the Earth cry, “haven’t I been good to you?”
Hear the Earth sigh, “haven’t I been sweet to you?”

Stop in the name of Earth, stop this calamity,
Stop in the name of love, love for humanity.
Think it o-o-ver, think it o-o-ver.

Climate change is increasing every day.
We can’t afford to dither and delay.
We lost four years with the Trump administration.
Now we’re in a desperate situation.
We can’t wish rising seas away.
The time to act is today.
Think it over, what’s the alternative?
Think it over, we’ve got to change how we live.

Stop in the name of life, stop this calamity.
Stop in the name of Earth, there is no Planet B.
Think it o-o-ver, think it o-o-ver.

We’re out of time, time to be patient.
With our fossil fuel infatuation,
And if we don’t get our act together,
The world we live in may be gone forever.

Stop in the name of love, love for humanity,
Stop in the name of life, stop this calamity,
Stop in the name of love, love for humanity,
Stop in the name of Earth, there is no Planet B.
Stop in the name of Earth, dear planet of our birth,
Think it o-o-ver, think it o-o-ver.

by Paul McKenna © 2020
Tune: “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns ‘N’ Roses
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

Up in Alaska by the Bristol Bay,
Where the salmon spawn and the caribou play,
There’s a special place like nothin’ else on the globe,
But an evil corporation has a plan in mind
To dig a giant open-pit copper mine,
And it’s up to all of us to rise up and to tell them no.

Stop that Pebble Mine!
Block that Pebble Mine!

The Pebble Mine will destroy this place,
Dumpin’ ten billion tons of their toxic waste
Into the pristine waters that are home to the salmon runs.
It’ll poison the rivers and the fisheries,
And devastate indigenous communities,
So the time has come for all of us to join as one.

To stop that Pebble Mine!
Block that Pebble Mine!
Stop that Pebble Mine!
Block that Pebble Mine!

We gotta say no now, we gotta say no now, we gotta say no now. No! No!
We gotta say no now, we gotta say no now, we gotta say no now. No! No!
We gotta say no now, we gotta say no now, we gotta say no now. No! No!
We gotta say no now, we gotta say no now, we gotta say no now. No! No!

Stop that Pebble Mine! We got to stop it! We got to stop it!
Block that Pebble Mine! We got to block it! We got to block it!
Stop that Pebble Mine! We got to stop it! We got to stop it!
Block that Pebble Mine! We got to block it! We got to block it!
Stop that Pebble Mine!

by Paul McKenna © 2015
Tune: Come As You Are” by Nirvana
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

Young Michael Brown took a walk through the streets of Ferguson
When along comes a cop and orders him to stand down.
He pulls his gun, Michael runs and as he’s trying to flee,
Brown turns back, the cop reacts and it ends in tragedy
A tragedy, a tragedy. a tragedy.
For in truth, he did not have a gun, he did not have a gun,
He did not have gin, he did not have a gun.

Time and again unarmed men are shot down by police
After they have been made to pull over or to cease,
For no cause in the laws but being black in this country,
Words are passed, pistols blast and it ends in tragedy,
A tragedy, a tragedy, a tragedy,
And each time they did not have a gun, they did not have a gun,
They did not have a gun, they did not have a gun.

Kendrec McDade, Oscar Grant, Eric Garner and Sean Bell,
Freddie Gray, Eula Love, Johnny Crawford as well,
Amadour Diallo, the list goes on endlessly,
Every one, a black mother’s son, and a senseless tragedy,
A tragedy, a tragedy. a tragedy,
For each one of them did not have a gun,
They did not have a gun, they did not have a gun.
They did not have a gun, they did not have a gun..

by Paul McKenna © 2020
UNION, UNION (Tune: “My Babe” by Little Walter)
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

Union means strength in unity, union, union.
Union means strength in unity, union, union.
Union means strength in unity, working people in community.
Union means strength in unity, union, union.

Union means solidarity, union, union.
Union means solidarity, union, union.
Union means solidarity, standin’ up, not askin’ for charity.
Union means solidarity, union, union.

Union means job security, union, union.
Union means job security, union, union.
Union means job security, recognition for seniority.
Union means job security, union, union.

Union means a decent livin’, union, union.
Union means a decent livin’, union, union.
Union means a decent livin’. Keep on fightin, never give in.
Union means a decent livin’, union, union.

Union means justice and equity, union, union.
Union means justice and equity, union, union.
Union means justice and equity, respect and dignity.
Union means justice and equity, union, union.

Union means working together, union, union.
Union means working together, union, union.
Union means working together to change this world for the better.
Union means working together, union, union.
Union, union, union, union,
Union, union, union, union.

by Paul McKenna © 2022
(Tune: “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty)
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

No we won't turn back, no we won't turn back.
You can try to take our rights away, but we won't turn back.
No, we won't turn back.

This is my bo-dy.  It belongs to me,
And I won't give away my autonomy, 
So accept this fact, we will not turn back.

CHORUS:  Hey Clarence, Brett, Neil, Amy and Sam,
                   We will 
                   Not turn back, no we won't turn back.

It is not your role to exert control
Over how I choose to conduct my life,
So accept this fact.
We will not turn back.
No we won't turn back.  CHORUS

Lyrics by Paul McKenna, Sandy Pliskin, Bev Grant, Ted Warmbrand, and Barbara Dyskant © 2023
(Tune: “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”)
Download printable version (created 8/20/23)

We're Moms for Liberty, we stand for bigotry,
For hate and fear.
We’re rising to demand that any book be banned,
That tells the truth about our land.
Can’t allow that here.

We’re Moms for Liberty, rewriting history 
To squelch the truth.
We want to make the rules, raise kids as corporate tools.
Our goal is to control the schools
And the minds of youth.

We're Moms for Liberty, but not free inquiry,
For curious kids.
We want no history of criminality      
Taught to our progeny
That must be hid.

We’re Moms for Liberty. We know with certainty
What kids should learn.
Our sacred mission is to be revisionists,
And our decision is—
Let the books be burned.

We’re Moms for Liberty, we tell you where to pee
And how to dress.
No teacher should decide to teach about gay pride.
That’s something we prefer to hide.
And to suppress.

We’re Moms for Liberty, we say what kids can see,
What’s wrong and right.
So they won’t understand it’s all one Master Plan
To keep the power in the land
Straight, male and white.

These Moms for Liberty think they are freeing me
As best they can.
I thank them gratefully; my curiosity
Expands enormously
Toward all they ban.

Lyrics by Paul McKenna, © 2021
(Tune: “Everyday People” by Sly and the Family Stone; “Imagine” by John Lennon )
Download printable version (created 8/31/24)

Here in this land between the river and the sea,
We’re all grappling with uncertainty,
But however uncertain the future may be,
We’ve got to learn to live in harmony.
We need peace for Israel’s people,
And we need peace for Palestine’s people.

I am no better, and neither are you,
Palestinian, Arab or Jew.
We may disagree on what’s right and what’s wrong,
But we’ve still got to find a way to get along.
We need peace for Palestine’s people,
And we need peace for Israel’s people.

There is the A Group that doesn’t like the B Group
That doesn’t like the C Group that doesn’t like the D Group.
Different goals for different souls,
And so on and so on, will it forever go on?
Let’s stop it. We’ve got to live together!

For nearly a century we’ve been locked in a war.
The time has come to not fight anymore.
Though you may accuse me of naivete,
I keep hoping that we’ll find a way.
We need peace for Israel’s people,
And we need peace for Palestine’s people.

There is the D Group that’s fighting with the E Group
That’s angry with the F Group that can’t forgive the G Group.
Different goals for different souls,
And so on and so on, will it forever go on?
Let’s stop it. We’ve got to live together!
Different goals for different souls,
And so on and so on, will it forever go on?
Let’s stop it.
We need peace for Palestine’s people,
And we need peace for Israel’s people.
We need peace for all of the people!
You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.
I hope some day you’ll join us, and at last the fighting will be done.

by Paul McKenna © 2018
(Song of the greedy hospital administrator)
Tune: “Annie’s Song” by John Denver
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

You fill up my census with lucrative patients,
You''re truly an asset to my bottom line--
Lung and liver transplants, hip and knee replacements.
You fill up my census, now where do I sign?

Come let me pay you, let me write big checks to you,
For expensive procedures and unneeded care,
With exorbitant prices--you're the cure to our crisis,
Come let me pay you, there's plenty to spare.

You fill up my census with lucrative patients, 
For expensive procedures and unneeded care,
With exorbitant prices--you're the cure to our crisis,
You fill up my census, now come grab your share.

by Paul McKenna © 2014
Tune: “My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It” by Hank Williams
Download printable version (created 6/9/22)

Your story’s got a hole in it, yeah, your story’s got a hole in it,
Your story’s got a hole in it, it won’t hold no beer.

You’re tellin’ us a sad tale, how you can’t afford a raise.
You’re tryin’ to say your workers should take a cut in pay.

But your story’s got a hole in it, yeah your story’s got a hole in it,
Your story’s got a hole in it, it won’t hold no beer.

You say you’re goin’ broke and the money just ain’t there,
And you really can’t afford to treat your workers fair.

But your story’s got a hole in it, yeah your story’s got a hole in it,
Your story’s got a hole in it, it won’t hold no beer.

You got two administrators for every employee
And you’re smack in the middle of a building spree.

That’s why your story’s got a hole in it, yeah your story’s got a hole in it,
Your story’s got a hole in it, it won’t hold no beer.

You seem to think your workers were born yesterday
And that we’re gonna fall for everything you say.

But your story’s got a hole in it, yeah your story’s got a hole in it,
Your story’s got a hole in it, it won’t hold no beer.

Your story’s got a hole in it, yeah, your story’s got a hole in it,
Your story’s got a hole in it, it won’t hold no beer.