(1) Songs for a Political Protest (over a proposed building demolition):

For the "Buy High/ Sell Low" Landlord Chorus

a) (to the tune of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot")

Swing low, sweet wrecking ball,

comin' for to demo my home.

repeat

When I look over Jordan neighborhood, what do I see? (solo)

comin' for to demo my home.

A group of inspectors comin' after me. (solo)

comin' for to demo my home.

Swing low, sweet wrecking ball,

comin' for to demo my home.

 

b) (to the tune of "Where have all the flowers gone?"

Where has all the money gone?

Long time passing.

Where has all the money gone?

So far away.

Where has all the money gone?

Gone for board-ups, every one.

When will they ever learn?

 

Where have all the tenants gone?

Long time passing.

Where have all the tenants gone?

so far away

Where have all the tenants gone?

Gone to (homeless) shelters everyone.

When will they ever learn?

When will they ever learn?

 

c) (borrowed from Ray Charles)

Hit the road, Jackie (Cherryhomes),

'n don't come back no more, no more, no more,

etc.

 

(2) Songs for the twilight of a failed election campaign: a Press Release

To our friends in the media: Though you were not interested in our political ideas, perhaps you would like to hear us sing.

You are cordially invited to the first (and maybe last) performance of the EXCLUDED MAYORAL CANDIDATES CHORUS singing a variety of patriotic and other songs.

We expect to have at least five singers there and perhaps some instrumental accompaniment. Our talent is drawn from a pool of candidates for mayor of Minneapolis.

Where: Peavey Plaza, Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis

When: Monday, September 10, at noon

Pavarottis we may not be, but some of us can carry a tune. See you there!

Our repetoire includes twelve well-known songs including “The Star-Spangled Banner”, “America, the Beautiful”, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, “Beautiful Dreamer”, and “Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here.”

Release date: September 8, 2001

(P.S.: This appeal to the media actually worked. And so it was that, on the eve of September 11, 2001, I made my singing debut on Twin Cities commercial television giving voice to patriotic expressions during the 10:00 p.m. news.)