Ali Marcus: Music
Daily News - a Tom Paxton rewrite
(Ali Marcus)
The American flag is tattered and torn
No one's sure if it can weather the storm
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
It looks like this whole world's at stake
We can't seem to give as much as we take
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
We got soldiers fighting in a war, you see
Send 'em overseas indefinitely
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
Seems like we've been here before
We got Henry Kissinger keeping score
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
They wanna keep biology on the shelf
If you wanna play the trumpet, teach yourself
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
But who cares if the kids are skipping class
Get the National Guard to kick 'em in the ass
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
All the government's money is sunk in debt
And Leona Helmsley gave it all to her pet
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
The banks are crumbling day by day
And you and me are the ones gonna have to pay
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
Daily news, daily blues
Pick up a copy any time you choose
Seven little pennies in the newsboy's hand
And you ride right along to Never-Neverland
All the prisoners answer to the Prez
To hell with what the Constitution says
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
Ronald Reagan is dead and gone
and there's one last Kennedy hangin' on
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
We gave Russia a conspiratorial nod
While we bombed Iraq in the name of God
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
There's a brand new hurricane on the coast
And our president prays to the Holy Ghost
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
The computer guy wants to cure disease
The rock star is down on his knees
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
But if the Fed steps in the'll all be cryin' "Pink!"
And you can't save it all and the kitchen sink
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
So our cash is spent in the industry
That the government swears will keep us free
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
But you can bet they're out there lookin' for more
Of those imaginary weapons we're fighting for
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
Daily news, daily blues
Pick up a copy any time you choose
Seven little pennies in the newsboy's hand
And you ride right along to Never-Neverland
Cheney was there when it all went down
But look out Dick, there's a new girl in town
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
She's shown us that she's shootin' to kill
She got her whole damn party yelling "Drill, Baby Drill!"
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
It's true, we got black gold in protected land
But the market supply ignored the demand
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
The government better not subsidize
Unless Big Oil wins the prize'
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
Milli Vanilli were right in the end
If you can’t walk the walk you can sure pretend
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
The music biz is outta control
But damn it if it ain’t gonna save my soul
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
Daily news, daily blues
Pick up a copy any time you choose
Seven little pennies in the newsboy's hand
And you ride right along to Never-Neverland
I got a brand new HDTV bill
To keep up with the scandal on Capitol Hill
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
Another politician is sleepin' around
Another young soldier buried in the ground
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
And our president doesn't seem to mind the flood
His cabinet might as well sink in the mud
And March into the fire, two by two
American Money is missile defense
American People just wanna make sense
How do I know? I read it in the daily news
Daily news, daily blues
Pick up a copy any time you choose
Seven little pennies in the newsboy's hand
And you ride right along to Never-Neverland