At our school board meeting hall, there’s a banner on the wall
That says ,“Jesus is my savior and my lord”
Though its stands against the rules to have prayer in public schools
If it’s clear that it’s a message from the board
When I started to complain, I was answered with disdain:
“What a hateful and unchristian thing to say
I’m not seeing what you see, cos it doesn’t bother me
You should turn around and look the other way”
Look (look the other way), the other way (look the other way)
And the problem will appear to go away (look the other way)
If you shut your eyes and ears, then the problem disappears
It’s so simple when you look the other way (the other way)
“We should keep it in plain sight, cos the banner is our right
We have earned it with the taxes that we pay
There’s no need to take it down, we’re good Christians in this town
You should turn your head and look the other way”
Look (look the other way), the other way (look the other way)
And the problem will appear to go away (look the other way)
If you shut your eyes and ears, then the problem disappears
It’s so simple when you look the other way (the other way)
“It’s been hanging there so long, it can’t possibly be wrong
It’s a message that we need to see each day
For a Muslim or a Jew, or an atheist like you,
You can turn around and look the other way”
Look (look the other way), the other way (look the other way)
And the problem will appear to go away (look the other way)
If you shut your eyes and ears, then the problem disappears
It’s so simple when you look the other way (the other way)
“If we want the banner there, there’s no reason you should care
And the wants of the majority hold sway
If you see us breaking laws, just take a breath and pause
Then turn around and look the other way”
Look (look the other way), the other way (look the other way)
And the problem will appear to go away (look the other way)
If you shut your eyes and ears, then the problem disappears
It’s so simple when you look the other way (the other way)
“Should you win the case in court, we have one more last resort
We can threaten you and force you to obey
If you make us take it down, you’re the bully in this town
You should turn your head and look the other way”
Look (look the other way), the other way (look the other way)
And the problem will appear to go away (look the other way)
If you shut your eyes and ears, then the problem disappears
It’s so simple when you look the other way (the other way)
I don’t really need to provide context, do I? Every discussion thread that ever touched on an establishment clause case, that’s your context.
Feel free to add verses–this one practically writes itself.
“If you question why our view ought to triumph over you
there’s no mystery, it’s really plain to all.
Despite your protestation, this is still a Christian nation
look no further than the banner on the wall!”
“I don’t really need to provide context, do I?”
No, but you do need to tell us what tune we should be hearing in our heads, since you’ve gone and added the backing vocals.
Cuttlefish needs a back-up band.
“How dare the atheist minority ideals get the priority
That’s our corrupt democracy for you!
I cannot see the flaw if our Senate breaks the law,
Freedom is a privilege, not a right of virtue!”
“It’s self evident to me that all people should be free,
As the Declaration said it best.
But I think it’s clear to see that our Lord’s majority
Deserves more freedom than the rest.”
David Hart–
I can get you most of the way there–I wrote this after having the tune from “God will fuck you up” bouncing around my skull since Chris Rodda posted it: https://proxy.freethought.online/rodda/2012/01/28/god-will-fuck-you-up/
Cuttlefish’s original + random factor’s verse = perfect song for an atheist Southern gospel quartet. (I haven’t heard the song posted @5 to know if I’m hearing the right genre in the rhythm and structure.)
“If you’re atheist at heart, with your money you should part,”
Our most reasoned and perceptive like to say,
“It’s just logic that you must, for it reads, ‘In God We Trust,’
If you don’t you should just look the other way.”
Roger Williams founded Providence, evicted and then sent thence
By the Christians of the col’ny by the bay,
Cos he demanded separation of government and congregation,
And he couldn’t make himself just look away.
Rhode Island has a history, tho to them it seems a mystery.
How they forgot their heritage we cannot say.
They no longer honor Roger, that historic dead old codger,
And he must be spinning way too fast to look away.
Got it in one, TCC; that’s exactly the sound I’m after.
And Epinephrine, you rat, I was looking for a way to get “in god we trust” into it!
The main verses work to “Fat Bottom Girls,” too…
Curse you, Randomfactor.
Though you think you have a right to an ACLU fight,
Just remember we’re a Christian nation, so,
If we lose we’ll just appeal with ecclesiastic zeal,
’til up to the Supreme Court it all does go.
(hoping I’ve got the scanscion right…)
“God will fuck you up”; the title of that wonderful tune is “The Hand of the Almighty” by the lovely and talented John R. Butler
Thanks, starskeptic!