Tribes has fourteen songs; thirteen with unique titles and one reprise. The genres are Broadway, pop, pop rock, R&B and hip-hop. All lyrics are by Alan Jeskin. Music is in development by composer-producers D’Andre Smith and Ethan Algazi.
Summary: Reporter, Jason, advocates making focus group more exciting with color coded chairs and contentious panelists.
Cast Singer: Jason
Turn It Up (Demo)
Lyrics by Alan Jeskin
Music by D’Andre Smith
Vocals by Ethan Algazi
Verse 1 (Jason)
In a world filled with the routine,
Frivolous and oh so mundane
We sleepwalk through life as in a dream
Each day and the next is the same
It’s monotonous and boring
You’re nodding off or you’re snoring
It’s more than enough to drive you insane
(Company) Turn it up!
We need to find time to escape
The tedious and inane
We need to find moments that make
The dopamine rush to your brain
We need to be more excited
More intrigued, more delighted
We’re downright desperate to be entertained
(Company) Turn it up!
Chorus (Jason)
Cue the music, the lights and the vibes
(Company) Turn it up!
Bring the passion, and heat from the tribes
(Company) Turn it up!
Bring the rhythms, the beats, and then
Hold onto your seats, my friends
And watch this venue of ours come alive
(Company) Turn it up!
Verse 2 (Jason)
Here we are on election day
All conditions are just right
To prepare this stage in such a way
To promote a partisan fight
Socialists and the super woke
Fight neocon and alt right folks
We’re gonna set off fireworks tonight
(Company) Turn it up!
Blue chairs for the left, red for the right
Purple for the folks in between
Some folks brilliant, some not so bright
Some polite, some downright mean
Some thoughtful and introspective
Some shallow with no perspective
But all of them will fit the tribal theme
(Company) Turn it up!
Bridge (Jason)
Let’s start with ten chairs, each one a small slice
Of our political spectrum
Numbered one through ten moving left to right
Next step – find people to fill them
Seats four through seven – mild mannered centrists
Smart and even-tempered as well
Engineer, teacher, soccer mom, dentist
In other words, boring as hell.
Seat three on the left, seat eight on the right
Partisans, but not battle scarred
Calm, but passionate and willing to fight
If their buttons are pushed real hard.
Seat two on the left and nine on the right
Pure hardliners, both cut and dried
Two tribal zealots whose greatest delight
Is engaging the other side
Seat one and seat ten, the feisty extreme
Vitriolic, if a tad slow
These low brow firebrand misfits on each team
Will turn this set into a show!
Chorus (Jason)
Cue the music, the lights and the vibes
(Company) Turn it up!
Bring the passion, and heat from the tribes
(Company) Turn it up!
Bring the rhythms, the beats, and then
Hold onto your seats, my friends
And watch this venue of ours comes alive
(Company) Turn it up!
Verse 1 (Cristy)
How do we the people flex people power,
Whether centrist, alt right or woke?
How do citizens lay claim to what’s ours?
You make it happen with your vote.
The founding fathers’ intentions
In all the words that they mention
In every volume that they wrote
They ask that your interventions,
Your agreements and dissentions
Are manifested by your vote.
Verse 2 (Clayton)
How do we protect our democracy?
Keep threats of tyranny remote?
Prevent sliding into autocracy?
You make it happen with your vote.
The flourishing of our nation
Requires full participation
Of everyone here in this boat.
To chart their best destination
then grab a paddle and station.
You make it happen with your vote!
Verse 3 (Clayton)
How do you honor our forefathers’ dreams?
And keep freedom’s promise afloat?
Through all the tempest seas or the quiet streams?
You make it happen with your vote!
After much deliberation
And careful consideration
We select our leaders and hope
They ascend to their new station
And deliver inspiration
You make it happen with your vote!
Bridge (Cristy, Clayton, Clara, Craig)
(Cristy) If you want things to change
(Clayton, Clara and Craig) Make it happen
(Cristy) Or to just stay the same
(Clayton, Clara and Craig) Make it happen
(Cristy) If you’re given a choice
(Clayton, Clara, and Craig) Make it happen
(Cristy) You should send out your voice
(Clayton, Clara, and Craig) Make it happen
(Cristy) Through the ballot proclaim
Whether sunshine or rain
I will not take a pass
And just sit on my ass
I have something to say
And you’ll hear it today
(Clayton, Clara, and Craig) Make it happen
Verse 4(Craig – Slow tempo and go near acapella for dramatic effect)
So today it’s Hilary or Donald J
The difference is stark, so take note
(Build)
To decide which one leads the free world one day
You make it happen..
(Build to finale)
(Cristy) Said ONLY you can make it happen..
(Clara) You gotta make it happen…
(All) You make it happen with your vote!
Summary: Partisans extol the importance voting along party lines to achieve goals and defeat the opposition. Centrists call for temperance and recognition we are one big family.
Singers: All panelists
Reference Song(s):
‘Ride Like the Wind’ – Christopher Cross
‘Ride Like the Wind’ – Phil Perry
‘Ride Like the Wind’- – Saxon
‘Room Where It Happens’ – Hamilton (time 4:25 -5:10)
‘Next to You’ – Dirty Loops (time 2:18 – 4:10}
Verse 1 (Rachel) {Ride Like the Wind – Cross}
Today we fight to keep our traditions
And defend what we know is right
Today we fight for family and country
For Jesus and for right to life
Verse 2 (Frank) {Ride Like the Wind – Cross}
Today we fight to take back our country
And restore those great days of old
Today we fight for God’s land of the free
And home of the brave and the bold
Chorus (Rachel and Frank) {Room Where it Happens}
When the stakes are runnin’ high
Every vote is do or die
(Company – go tribal)
You stand tall and pick a side
(Company – go tribal)
For your county’s survival
You go tribal!
Verse 3 (Lamar) {Ride Like the Wind – Perry}
Nah
Today we fight to keep moving forward
To right all the wrongs of the past
Today we fight on for equal justice
So we can all be free at last
Verse 4 (Florence) {Ride Like the Wind – Perry}
Today we fight for real meaningful change,
For what’s just, what’s right, and what’s true
For blacks, for women, the poor, the planet,
And for L-G-B-T-and-Q
Chorus (Lamar, Florence) {Room Where It Happens}
When the stakes are runnin’ high
Every vote is do or die
(Company – go tribal)
You stand tall and pick a side
(Company – go tribal)
For your county’s survival
You go tribal!
Bridge Part 1 (Rachel, Lamar, Frank, Florence, Craig, Clara) {Next to You}
The power of the clan cannot be denied
When collective force of will is applied
Together in union we fight as a tribe
To achieve a common goal
When we need to drive our ideals to thrive
Or need to fight just to keep them alive
All our instincts say stick with the tribe
You can feel it in your soul!
Bridge Part 2 (Cristy, Clayton) {Next to You}
Just beware tribal battles may be won
But the tribal warfare is never done
Turning tribalism to hate for some
And hate eats you alive
What we need to know is that everyone
Wants freedom, love and some time in the sun
We’re all just human when the day is done
Members of just one tribe!
Verse 5 (Eric – Extreme right) {Ride Like the Wind – Saxon}
Nope!
Today we fight to reclaim what is ours
Our birthright, and our destiny
A white nation built by white Christian men
And for white Christian progeny
Verse 6 (Elaine) {Imagine an Ariana Grande rendition of Ride Like the Wind}
Uh uh.
Today we fight Neo Nazis with guns (points to Eric)
White privileged men so out of touch (points to Frank)
Bible thumping grandmas, race biased cops (points to Rachel then to Craig)
And centrists who smile way too much (points to Cristy, Clayton, and Clara)
Summary: Partisans, Frank Eric, Florence, and Lamar put down opposition candidates, Clinton and Trump, in rap battle.
Cast Singers: Frank & Eric vs Florence & Lamar
Ambition in a Pantsuit and Heels (Demo)
Lyrics by Alan Jeskin
Music by D’Andre Smith
Vocals by Alan Jeskin
Intro (Frank)
Hillary Clinton, President of the United States?
Oh, hell no!
Chorus (Frank and Florence)
(Frank) She plans, she plots she wheels she deals
Pushing a lot of left-wing ideals
But always conceals what she really feels
Ambition in a pant suit and heels
(Florence) She plans, she plots she wheels she deals
But does it to advance very noble ideals
With experience, moxie, and righteous zeal
Ambition in a pant suit and heels
Verse 1 (Frank)
She’s the evil empress of feminist pride
Entitled, bossy, sinister, snide-
Shady since the nineties when her lawyer friend died..
But the rules don’t apply, she got the FBI
Claiming that his death was just a suicide
It all seemed fishy, she had something to hide
So she did what she always does – she lied
Verse 2 (Frank)
Fast forward to Bengazi where her people tried
Protecting our embassy, but four of them died
Waiting for security she failed to provide
That’s negligence she can’t brush aside
And then you got the issue that can never be denied
Destroying all the emails that she tried to hide.
Setting all the documentation rules aside.
Even for the emails labeled classified.
Verse 3 (Frank)
She’s taking everybody in this country for a ride
I’ll never understand it and I’m frankly horified
How it is all you libs would actually decide
To give Bill Clinton and his scary-ass bride
Of Frankenstein a pass getting back inside
The White House where no doubt they will preside
She the boss Bonnie to his womanizing Clyde
Spreading their incredible corruption far and wide
I heard she looks to the devil as her guide
Kidnapping kids, innocent and teary-eyed
Sexually abusing them until they’re traumatized
Cooking and eating them up with French fries
If she becomes president, justice dies
Chorus (Eric)
She plans, she plots, she wheels, she deals
Pushing a lot of left-wing ideals
But always conceals what she really feels
Ambition in a pant suit and heels
Verse 4 (Florence)
Good lord, your perception of the world is skewed
You gotta do better with the sources that you choose
For information you use to shape your views
Breitbart, Daily Wire, and Fox News
Are places where reality and reason lose
Truth, facts, and honesty are constantly abused
Like claiming Hillary steals kids for sex and food?
Colluding with the devil, don’t mean to be rude
But that’s some batshit cray-cray you just spewed
(Frank) Did you say batshit cray-cray I just spewed?
(Florence) Yep, that’s some batshit cray-cray-you just spewed.
Verse 5 (Florence)
Hillary by far is the best candidate
With a boss resume you can’t replicate
Two terms as first lady, simply first rate
As New York senator, proved she was great
Top notch as secretary of state
Then kicked Trumps ass in all three debates
Lamar, help me out, cuz.
Verse 6 (Lamar)
Now let’s discuss Trump so we’re not confused
About whose bad behavior we can’t excuse
Starting with his bigotry and racist views
He stereotypes women, blacks, and Jews
The list of virtues he lacks includes
Honor, self-control, and rectitude
A draft dodging, selfish, and reckless dude
Contractors, bankers, and lawyers accuse
Him of being a deadbeat – won’t pay his dues
Through incompetence and capital misuse
Went bankrupt four-times by 1992
Spent years marinating in the tabloid news
Cheating on his wives like nothing to lose
With 25 women claiming sexual abuse
Verse 7 (Lamar)
He’s scandalous and corrupt through and through
Everymove made is a con or a ruse
To feed his greed for more money to misuse
A king of scoundrels from his hair to his shoes
Malignant clown we need to refuse
And send back to the hole from which he oozed
Like a thick black odious con man’s brew
Intoxicating his deplorable crews
Of xenophobic dimwits with loose screws
Christians, conservatives, and folks who choose
To vote for a man who plans to abuse
Their trust because he doesn’t share their views
Verse 8 (Florence)
Compared to Trump and his malevolent ways
Hillary, even on her worst of days
Still has virtues worth out praise
Poised to astound, impress and amaze
Motivate, lead, asses, and engage
From Oval Office to the world stage
The best to reset and turn a new page
Chorus (Various)
(Lamar) She plans, she plots she wheels she deals
(Florence and Lamar) But does it to advance very noble ideals..
(Frank) Nope, she’s pushing a lot of left-wing ideals
But always conceals what she really feels
(Florence) With experience, moxie, and righteous zeal
(Florence and Lamar) Ambition in a pantsuit and heels
(Frank) Ambition in a pantsuit and heels
(Florence and Lamar) Ambition, ha ha
Ambition, oh yeah,
(Florence) Ambition in a pantsuit and heels
Ambition, ambition, ambition, ambition
(All) Ambition in a pantsuit and heels
Summary: Panelists debate the earliest stage of pregnancy when any restrictions should be placed on a woman’s right to choose an abortion.
Singers: Rachel, Frank, Florence, Clara, Cristy
Reference Song(s):
‘First Burn’ – Hamilton
Verse 1 (Florence)
From the moment of conception
A new human life is formed
That is worthy of protection
Even though it’s not yet born
Unless it was conceived in rape
Or doomed to untold pain and strife
Or puts its mother’s life at stake
We have no right to end its life
There’s a tiny person inside
Worth as much as any other
And cannot be consigned to die
For convenience of its mother
Chorus (Florence)
Unborn babies are people too
We must protect their right to life.
End abortions from conception
With the rarest of exceptions
Choosing life is Godly and right.
Verse 2 (Frank)
If an unborn child is to be
A sacred life from inception
Then we are obliged to agree
It’s sacred without exception
No matter how it was conceived
Through misstep, incest or through rape
No matter what the risks may be
To mother’s health or mental state
Once that egg is fertilized
It’s God who grants its right to live
A right we all must recognize
That only God can take or give.
Chorus (Frank)
Unborn babies are people too
We must protect their right to life.
End abortions from conception
Allowing zero exceptions
Killing babies is never right.
Verse 3 (Florence)
Women are people last I checked.
With their own bodies, minds, and hearts
Their own souls and with due respect
Their own damned reproductive parts
We get pregnant and we give birth
Men dictating terms is absurd
We take advice for what it’s worth
But women must have the last word
If men got pregnant, I predict
They’d fight to the ends of the earth
Against all attempts to restrict
Abortion on demand ‘til birth.
Chorus (Florence)
Women are people too
We must protect our right to choose.
An abortion at any time
For any reason, any rhyme
We must stand up and fight or lose.
Verse 4 (Clara)
Right to choose is all about us
But at some point, we must admit
A fetus becomes more than just
A life we can simply dismiss
Far along in a pregnancy
Abortions become fairly grim
So, choosing to do one should be
Much more than a lark or a whim
Chorus (Clara)
Women are people too
Protect our right to choose.
Abortions with no reservation
Until 6 months of gestation
Then require a good excuse.
Verse 5 (Cristy)
The first thing we all need to do
Is define what a person is
Before weighing one’s right to choose
Against another’s right to live
A person is body and mind
Fused in a sentient blend
Of full self-awareness combined
With a will to survive and transcend
A woman embodies all this
An agent with purpose and thought
She’s aware of both pain and bliss
A fetus, however, is not
Bridge (Cristy)
It’s not conscious or self-aware
It has no mind, no will, no care
No concept of life
No construct for strife
And not one random thought to share
Strong medical science has shown
At the 22-week milestone
A fetus’s brain
Cannot conceive pain
And it can’t survive on its own
Verse 6 (Cristy)
Despite our strong intuitions
That fetuses are people too
And our intense inclination
To make termination taboo
A fetus is pure potential
Whose value is set in degree
From worthless up to essential
It’s what mother wants it to be
For science and our freedom’s sake
Reproductive choices should be
A call only women should make
Unrestricted through 22 weeks.
Chorus (Cristy)
Women are people too
Protect our right to choose.
Abortions with no restriction
Through 22 weeks of gestation
Then require a good excuse.
(Cristy and Clara)
Abortions with no restriction
Through 22 weeks of gestation
Then require a good excuse.
Summary: Panelists debate LGBTQ rights.
Singers: Frank, Florence, Clayton
Reference Song(s):
‘Zanzibar’ – Billy Joel
Verse 1 (Frank)
Everybody is a male or female as set by your genes
You’re born as either a boy or a girl, there’s no in-between
Your sex at birth is who you are because it’s what God endowed
And there can be no exchanges, returns or refunds allowed
Gender’s not fluid, it’s set at your birth to reflect your sex
Raise boys to be boys and girls to be girls as the Lord expects
Boys wear pants and play war videogames and sports with their crew
Girls wear skirts and bake cakes and whatever else it is girls do
As they come of age, boys and girls should date the opposite sex
Boys with girls, that’s it. That’s the only path to the rightful step
Of marriage with one man and one woman as husband and wife.
Then have children and raise them to follow nature’s path for life.
Chorus (Frank)
That’s God’s plan, and he knows what’s best
but that’s not enough for them
They want the right to pursue same sex
They want the freedom to be cross dressed
They want the option to change their sex but that’s not enough
They want to move their deviancy
Out from the shadows for all to see
Just how freaky these freaks want to be
But that’s not enough
They want to push for laws to decree
That good God-fearing people like me
Must accept this as how things should be
But that’s not enough
They want trans women to go compete
Against natural born women athletes
Delivering them crushing defeats
But that’s not enough
They want these former men to be free
To win glory with their jacked physiques
As they gloat over women they beat
But that’s not enough
No that’s not enough
It’s never enough for them.
Verse 2 (Florence)
First off, self-righteous bigots don’t know God and don’t know his plan
They just bloviate bullshit about things they don’t understand
When it comes to love they dare to dictate who, what, how, and when.
They think that freedom only means freedom to be just like them.
Sexual expression and gender roles are not one size fits all
What combinations are acceptable cannot be your call
You are free to be your straight, cisgender, narrow minded self
But then you cannot deny that freedom to anyone else
Our sexual journey is started, and pushed in part by our genes
They land us somewhere on the range between common and extremes
But regardless of our genes, sex, desires, path or destiny
We all have the right to love and define who we want to be.
Chorus (Florence)
That’s our plan and we know what’s best
but that’s not enough for us
We all deserve the basic respect
And freedom to embrace and express
Our choices for sex gender and dress
but that’s not enough
Everyone should have the right to say
Without shame and in the light of day
I am who I am, and that’s OK
But that’s not enough
We will push hard for laws that decree
The Ls the Bs the G’s and the Ts
Have the same rights as both you and me
But that’s not enough
We do want trans women to be free
To participate and to compete
With all the other women athletes
Nothing less would be enough
Nothing less would be enough
Nothing less would be enough for us
Verse 3 (Clayton)
To be quite candid, LGBT folks make me uneasy
They may even make people like Frank there a little queasy
For the longest time, uneasy, queasy folks like him and me
Thought we could deny LGBT folks the right to be free
But LGBT rights and restrictions are not ours to give
They own their own lives; we cannot dictate terms for how they live
I’m still uneasy, and Frank’s still queasy about gay affairs
But I’ve come to learn, this is our problem to resolve, not theirs
Verse 3 cont. (Clayton)
On the one issue about trans women playing women’s sports
Up through middle school trans girls are the same on the field or courts
Then puberty starts, hormones do their thing, muscles and bones grow
Trans girls and women gain an advantage, and it starts to show
This trans advantage may be little, it may be a lot
Trans females have it, but other females competing do not
Up through middle school it doesn’t matter so no one should care
Beyond middle school the trans advantage is simply unfair
Chorus (Clayton)
That’s my plan and my own wild guess
That should be enough for us
We all deserve the basic respect
And freedom to embrace and express
Our choices for sex gender and dress
That should be enough
Everyone should have the right to say
Without shame and in the light of day
I am who I am, and that’s OK
That should be enough
We will push hard for laws that decree
The Ls the Bs the G’s and the Ts
Have the same rights as both you and me
That should be enough
We do want trans women to be free
To do everything except compete
With all the other women athletes
That would be too much
That would be too much
That would be too much for us.
Chorus (Various)
(Left) That’s not enough
(Right) It’s never enough
(Center) That should be enough
(Left) That’s not enough for us
(Right) It’s never enough for them
(Center) That should be enough for us all
(All) Not, never, should be… enough!
Summary: Panelists debate immigration policy .
Singers: All panelists
Reference Song(s):
Minor Changes – Maya Isacowitz
Verse 1 (Right)
(Rachel) It’s the flow
Illegals pouring through the southern border
By the thousands destroying law and order
(Frank) Slow the flow
They bring crime, bring drugs and then go on welfare
And we pay for their housing and their healthcare
(Eric) Stop the flow
Their cheap labor will suppress all our wages
For deterrence put their children in cages.
Chorus (Right)
(Rachel) It’s the flow – they’re flooding in droves through the gate
(Frank) Slow the flow – or the problem will grow
(Eric) Stop the flow – build the wall before it’s too late
(Rachel/Frank/Eric) It’s the flow, slow the flow, stop the flow
Verse 2 (Right)
(Rachel) It’s the flow
All the Indian and Asian faces
Taking high tech jobs and top college spaces
(Frank) Slow the flow
Of Latinos swarming in with bad habits
Speaking just Spanish and breeding like rabbits
(Eric) Stop the flow
The collusion to replace us has begun
If we don’t stop them we will be overrun
Chorus (Right)
(Rachel) It’s the flow – they’re flooding in droves through the gate
(Frank) Slow the flow – or the problem will grow
(Eric) Stop the flow – build the wall before it’s too late
(Rachel/Frank/Eric) It’s the flow, slow the flow, stop the flow
Verse 3 (Right)
(Rachel) It’s the flow
Immigration threatens our country today
We must fix it or give our country away
(Frank) Slow the flow
Of the poor, illiterate and the lazy
The criminal, ignorant, and the crazy
(Eric) Stop the flow
Of immigrants from shithole, third world nations
Like the Africans, as well as the Haitians
Chorus (Right)
(Rachel) It’s the flow – they’re flooding in droves through the gate
(Frank) Slow the flow – or the problem will grow
(Eric) Stop the flow – build the wall before it’s too late
(Rachel/Frank/Eric) It’s the flow, slow the flow, stop the flow
Verse 4 (Left)
(Lamar) It’s the flow
Immigrants built this grand country of ours.
Enhancing its culture, wealth and its powers.
(Florence) Speed the flow
Of those who are ready, able and willing
To staff all the open jobs that need filling
(Elaine) Max the flow
Bring more of their energy and zeal aboard
The more they come in, the more our own reward
Chorus (Left)
(Lamar) It’s the flow – they’re a plus so open the door
(Florence) Speed the flow – so we prosper and grow
(Elaine) Max the flow – they need us but we need them more
(Lamar/Florence/Elaine) It’s the flow, speed the flow, max the flow
Verse 5 (Left)
(Lamar) It’s the flow
Immigrants continue to make us stronger
They pay taxes and work harder and longer
(Florence) Speed the flow
They become great citizens and good neighbors
They need a welcoming chance and no favors
(Elaine) Max the flow
Bring the tired, poor, and huddled masses
The vibrant, the rich and the upper classes
Chorus (Left)
(Lamar) It’s the flow – they’re a plus so open the door
(Florence) Speed the flow – so we prosper and grow
(Elaine) Max the flow – they need us but we need them more
(Lamar/Florence/Elaine) It’s the flow, speed the flow, max the flow
Bridge
(Clara) Sometime past in each of our family trees
Our ancestors were not born here
But through desperation, desire and fate
They flowed to these shores every year
(Cristy) We all descend from this constant flow
So, we are the flow in a way
We all are the flow that built this country
And sustains its greatness today
(Clayton) But how much flow should we add to ensure
Our tomorrows will be as bright
Today it’s about a million a year
That number is just about right
Verse 6 (Left)
(Clara) It’s the flow
A million vibrant new souls coming yearly
A million new hopes and dreams held so dearly
(Clayton) Keep the flow
A million new pairs of hands to start rowing
To help propel this big boat that keeps growing
(Craig) In control
Make legal entry the only true way in
And legal pathways the sole way to stay in
Chorus (Center)
(Clayton) It’s the flow – so essential just do the math
(Cristy) Keep the flow – at one million or so
(Craig) In control – legal entry, the only path
(Clara/Clayton/Cristy/Craig) It’s the flow, keep the flow, in control
Chorus (Right)
(Rachel) It’s the flow – they’re flooding in droves through the gate
(Frank) Slow the flow – or the problem will grow
(Eric) Stop the flow – build the wall before it’s too late
(Rachel/Frank/Eric) It’s the flow, slow the flow, stop the flow
Chorus (Left)
(Lamar) It’s the flow – they’re a plus so open the door
(Florence) Speed the flow – so we prosper and grow
(Elaine) Max the flow – they need us, but we need them more
Repeat (All)
(Rachel/Frank/Eric) It’s the flow, slow the flow, stop the flow!
(Lamar/Florence/Elaine) It’s the flow, speed the flow, max the flow
(Clara/Clayton/Cristy/Craig) It’s the flow, keep the flow, in control!
Summary: Panelists debate gun control.
Singers: Elaine, Florence, Lamar, Clara, Frank, Eric, Craig
Reference Song(s):
Wait For It – Hamilton
Verse 1 (Elaine)
What do you call the slaughter of babies
By gun-toting mass-murdering crazies
Columbine to Virginia Tech and then
Sandy Hook, Parkland, and then on again
(All Left + Clara) Madness!
Verse 2 (Florence)
What do you call the fact that gunfire rings
In a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs
An Orlando nightclub where revelers mix
And a concert on the Las Vegas strip
(All Left + Clara) Madness!
Verse 3 (Lamar)
What do you call a hundred deaths a day
From bullets causing flesh and blood to spray
Staining mean streets, sad homes, and church house walls
Spreading panic and pain in schoolhouse halls
(All Left + Clara) Madness!
Verse 4 (Clara)
What do you call the flood of grievous harms
Flowing from four hundred million arms
In the hands of thugs, abusers, vengeful teens
And monsters with hate-filled, murderous schemes
(All Left + Clara) Madness!
Chorus (Left)
(All Left + Clara) Madness!
(Clara) We keep disavowing it
While thousands keep dying
(All Left + Clara) Madness!
(Clara) We keep on allowing it
And mothers keep crying
(All Left + Clara) Madness!
(Florence) We know we should stop it
But what’s so damned absurd
(All Left + Clara) Madness!
(Florence) The gun dealers’ profits
Always get the last word
Verse 5 (Frank)
What do you call the hysterical claim
That guns, not people, are what we should blame
For all the thugs, nut jobs, losers, and dopes
Who break all the rules and shoot other folks
(Eric and Frank) Madness!
Verse 6 (Frank)
What do you call your sad failure to see
That forcing more gun restrictions on me
Does not solve the problems you’re pointing out
Or reduce the violence you whine about
(Eric and Frank) Madness!
Verse 7 (Eric)
Half the gun deaths are suicidal acts
Half the rest are blacks killing other blacks
Most are with illegal handguns for sure
So, more background checks offer no real cure
(Eric and Frank) Madness!
Verse 8 (Eric)
You fixate on an assault weapons ban
Instead, push for better mental health plans
More cops, more jails, longer sentencing time
And for God’s sake reduce black on black crime
(Eric and Frank) Madness!
Chorus (Right)
(Eric and Frank) Madness!
(Frank) We’re misdiagnosing it
Though thousands keep dying
(Eric and Frank) Madness!
(Frank) We’re overexposing it
And lefties keep crying
(Eric and Frank) Madness!
(Eric)They know they should stop it
But what’s so damned absurd
(Eric and Frank) Madness!
(Erik) The fake left-wing prophets
Try to get the last word
Bridge (Craig)
As a cop I have a few things to say
I deal with guns on the streets everyday
The answer to gun crime I’m thinking of
Is not this or that, but all the above
(Right and Left) Madness!
(Craig) We need better mental health care for sure
As many police as you can endure
For gun violence yes add on more jail time
And yes, black folks slow the black-on-black crime
(Left) Madness!
(Craig) I’ll back the right to bear arms forever
For all lawful citizens, however
The claim we can put no limits in place
Is just untrue and absurd on its face
(Eric and Frank) Madness!
(Craig) For public safety, you cannot own more
Raw firepower or weapons of war
Than your local law enforcement because
Then we can’t force you to follow the laws.
(Eric and Frank) Madness!
Verse 9 (Craig)
You can’t have tanks, flame throwers, or grenades
No rockets, mortars, or bayonet blades
No machine guns, or armor piercing rounds
No silencers to muffle weapon sounds
(Eric and Frank) Madness!
Verse 10 (Craig)
No C-4 explosives or Claymore mines
No assault style rifles of any kind
No more than 20-round magazine clips
No ammo fitted with explosive tips
(Eric and Frank) Madness!
Verse 11 (Craig)
A gun is much more deadly than a car
Why we regulate guns less is bazar
We should have universal background checks
Minimum training and licensing specs
(Eric and Frank) Madness!
Verse 12 (Craig)
We should register every legal gun
And raise the age to own to twenty-one
And if you break bad, we should get to say
Whether we come take your weapons away
(Eric and Frank) Madness!
Chorus (Left and Center + Rachel)
(Left and Center + Rachel) Madness!
(Rachel) We keep disavowing it
While thousands keep dying
(Left and Center + Rachel) Madness!
We keep on allowing it
And mothers keep crying
(Left and Center + Rachel) Madness!
(Rachel) We know we should stop it
But what’s so damned absurd
(Left and Center + Rachel) Madness!
(Rachel) The gun dealers’ profits
Always get the last word
Summary: Jason celebrates the near chaos on the set as the contentious panelists square off.
Singer: Jason
Reference Song(s):
‘What is This Feeling’ – Wicked (time 2:40 and forward)
Verse 1 (Jason)
Blue chairs for the left, red chairs for
the right
Purple for the folks in between
Some of them brilliant, and some not so
bright
Some high-minded, some downright
mean
Some thoughtful and introspective
Some shallow with no perspective
But all will fit the tribal theme
(Company) Turn it up!
Chorus (All)
(Company) Turn it up!
(Jason) Cue the music, the lights and the
vibes
(Company) Turn it up!
(Jason) Bring the passion, and heat from
the tribes
(Company) Turn it up!
(Jason) Bring the rhythms, the beats
Then hold onto your seats
As this venue of ours comes alive
(Company) Turn it up!
Summary: Partisan panelists display increasingly negative tribalism as they tear down the opposing teams and their candidates.
Singers: Florence, Lamar, Frank, Eric
Reference Song(s):
Get It on the Floor – DMX
Verse 1 (Florence)
What’s wrong with you?
What’s wrong with you?
Covid is reality, not a joke
It’s not conspiracy, not a joke
Thousands of people infected every day
Thousands more already passed away
Yet you don’t wear masks at public events
Then wonder in stupefying suspense
Why you’re dying in hurt and pian
Like the tragic tale of Herman Cain
While people are dying, loved ones are crying
Responders trying to do their very best
You’re non-complying, consistently denying
Reality at Donald Trump’s behest.
What’s wrong with you?
What’s wrong with you?
Verse 2 (Lamar)
Trump fool was reckless – masks he rejected,
He got so infected – this fool almost died
But then he was injected – with the best drugs collected
and as expected – took you MAGA fools for a ride
First he said take Hydroxychloroquine
Then tried to sell you Ivermectin
Neither was approved by the FDA
For people to use in any kind of way
For Covid prevention – or for a cure
You know his intentions – were never pure
But then he went full bat shit cray cray
Stood up told the whole wide world one day
Ingest or inject a bleach in some way
To just disinfect the virus away
Then to display – the thoughts in his head
The self-proclaimed genius – actually said
Go inside the body with a powerful light
Turn it on, make it shine real bright
And kill all the Covid cooties in sight
And you sit there thinking this is all right?
What’s wrong with you?
What’s wrong with you?
Verse 3 (Frank)
First of all, Covid – IS just a hoax
It’s like a bad cold, kids – A flu at the most
The chance Covid kills you is so remote
But you can wear masks if that floats your boat
But masks don’t work as a matter of fact
They won’t save you from a viral attack
Unless you’re too old – unhealthy, and fat
You’re good as gold – it’s as simple as that
Problem is you sheep – trust what you see
From Dr Fauci – and NIAID
Pharma, FDA, and CDC
Conspiring to profit from this disease
Inflating the death tolls week after week
And hyping all the stats that they release
What’s wrong with me? Nothing.
What’s wrong with you?
Verse 4 (Eric)
As for Hydroxy – and Ivermectin
You’re so naïve, see – if you’re expecting
To learn about curing this infection
From bureaucrats and damn politicians
They’ll never tell you what the real truth is
About effective drugs and their uses
To cure symptoms the virus produces
Or stop infection or just reduce it.
The deep state and pharma collusion
Just misinform and sow confusion
To feed your left-wing grand delusion
But we’re not buying that damn illusion
Instead of wondering what’s wrong with me
Ask why it takes you so long to see
Your ignorance and dishonesty
Refusing to accept reality
Your approach to Covid, honestly
Is smug judgmental hypocrisy.
What’s wrong with me? Nothing.
What’s wrong with you?
Verse 5 (Lamar)
There’s got to be some kind of mistake
With the words you state out your maskless face
Gimme a break, you’re fake, a big disgrace
You take the cake, with a straight gaslight up in the place
Words like dishonesty – and grand delusion
Pompous hypocrisy – and damned illusion
Misinformation, sow confusion
these words lead to just one conclusion
You’ve lost your mind and now you’re projecting
The cult behavior you’re now reflecting
Flows from the leader you here electing
Let’s connect dots you’re not connecting
Trump’s dishonest yet you adore him
30 thousand lies told if not more, damn
Most of his staff – rotten to the core and
The honest few walked out the door man
Verse 6 (Florence)
Like Tillerson – Secretary of State
Called Trump a moron – right out the gate
John Kelly, Chief of staff, got irate
Cleaning all the shit left in Trumps wake
General Mattis, Head of Defense
Too wise and honest, made too much sense
Jim Comey FBI – summoned by the king
Too much integrity to kiss Trump’s ring
The rest of the team, corrupt grifters,
Ass clowns, opportunistic drifters
Sean Spicer on day one lied
About Trumps inauguration crowd size
Mike Flynn security advisor lied
About nefarious Moscow ties
Steve Bannon Trump’s right hand strategist
was an anti-democratic fascist
And so many more – were just like their boss
Incompetent or – ethically lost
Like Ryan Zinke, and Wilbur Ross
Tom Price, Scott Pruit, Betsy Devos
Rick Perry, Elaine Chao, Steve Mnuchin
Ben Carson, Bill Barr David Shulkin
Kellyanne Conway, Jared, Ivanka
All the hand-picked cronies who want ta
Bilk the system, use and abuse it
Tear it down and render it useless
Verse 7 (Lamar)
Now check Trumps own characteristics
Starting with his white nationalistic
Tendency to be revered by racists
And what he says on a routine basis
Like the Charlottesville clash he described
As very fine people on both sides
His racist connections can’t be denied
He told Proud Boys stand back and stand by.
Next let’s start listing – this man’s corruption
Fifty years grifting – no interruption
Stiffing contractors on construction
Shafting investors at his instruction
Past six years the scamming continued
Same old con man, different venue
Brand new items on the scam menu
Fundraisers that the fat cats went to
Donations his cult members sent through
Government contracts hijacked and sent to
Trump properties the cash flowed into
Policies and decisions guided
By the benefits they provided
To him even if results collided
With US interests not coincided
Trump loves autocrats ’cause they help him
Win elections and chips to cash in
Like Russia’s Putin, North Korea’s Kim
Saudi’s Crown Prince, and China’s Xi Ping
All have the power to benefit him
More so than all the leaders within
Liveral democracies with the values
Trump despises but we’re so used to
Like fair elections – and a free press
Rule of law – keeping power in check
No one backing illegal hacking
Of emails, servers and shit like that
No one backing illegal hacking
Of respected journalists like that
Jamal Khashoggi rest in peace like that
Trump extorted Ukraine an ally
while they struggled to stay alive
Blocking aid they need to survive
Unless they help him to sell his lie
All for his own political gain
He left an international stain
On the reputation US maintained
For hundreds of years before he came
To shame the country and its good name
Since you elected him, you’re to blame
But we impeached his ass all the same
And you’re still voting for him again
What’s wrong with you?
What’s wrong with you?
Verse 8 (Eric)
OK check it
That was a long ass dissertation
About your steadfast consternation
About Trump’s corruption, this and that
About his disruption, yickity yak
(Mock whining) Why do you vote for him? Don’t do that.
What’s wrong with you? Yeah quack, quack, quack
First, most of that was just fake news
Whiny, dishonest, libtard blues.
But even if every bit was true,
We love Trump ’cause we don’t like you!
Trump is all we want him to be
He’s a great big ugly fist that we
Choose to use on a daily basis
To punch you in your smug-ass faces.
Then we sit back and watch you cryin’
All the while laughing ‘til we’re dyin’
Trump’s my frustration, I ain’t lying
Trump’s my hatred, there’s no denying
Trump’s my emotion manifested
The only leader interested
In how I feel so I’m invested
In Trump for life. My case is rested.
What’s wrong with you?
What’s wrong with you?
Summary: Craig gives public service announcement advising compliance with police commands on the street.
Singer: Craig
Reference Song(s):
‘Wake Me Up’ – Dirty Loops Cover
(All sung by Craig unless otherwise indicated)
Verse 1
Some folks believe that most police
Are maladjusted and misbehave
Motivated by folks we hate
And the power we seem to crave
I am convinced that most police
Are disciplined, honest, and brave.
Motivated by folks we serve
And by the lives we help to save
Verse 2
Whether mostly good, mostly bad
Mostly polite or mostly rude
Whenever we engage with you
There’s one key thing you ought to do
It requires no great feat of strength
No tough concept you must think through
It’s simple, easy, effortless
And prevents cops from harming you
Chorus 1
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply.
If my lights are flashing behind you
Don’t keep driving like there’s nothing wrong
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply
If I ask for documentation
Don’t play games, obfuscate or prolong
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply.
If I tell you step out of the car
You may ask why, and I’ll play along
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply.
I’ll tell you why, but if I repeat
My command to step out clear and strong
Don’t debate with me while in the street
Such debates will not last very long
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply.
Verse 3
Some folks believe that most police
Sympathize with the Ku Klux Klan
And have goals to arrest and kill
As many black folks as we can
I am convinced that most police
Are fair and we don’t give a damn
About race when judging people
Just their character as it stands
Verse 4
But whether police tend to be
Klan supporters or color blind
All are charged with enforcing law
And on that point, we are aligned
So, when cops give you a command
Don’t overthink and get in a bind
Do the one thing that’s sure to prevent
Getting roughed up, bruised and confined
Chorus 2
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply.
If I tell you to show me your hands
Don’t disobey and ask me what for
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply
If I tell you don’t move, just relax
Don’t turn, walk away and ignore
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply.
If I say that you’re under arrest
Don’t resist and then make it a war.
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply.
Resisting opens doors to a place
That has only worse outcomes in store
Batons and tasers, bullets and mace
And somebody’s blood on the floor
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply
Verse 5
No matter what you think of us
We try our best to fill a role
Requiring strength, judgement, bravery
Public service being the goal
A few cops fall well short of this
When stress leads to losing control
But we respond, press on, redress
Improving our team as a whole
Verse 6
As we learn, get better and grow
There’s just one thing for you to do
To make all our lives easier
It’s not difficult, it’s not new
It requires no great feat of strength
No tough concept you must think through
It’s simple, easy, effortless
And prevents cops from harming you
Chorus 1
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply.
If my lights are flashing behind you
Don’t keep driving like there’s nothing wrong
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply
If I ask for documentation
Don’t play games, obfuscate or prolong
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply.
If I tell you step out of the car
You may ask why, and I’ll play along
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply.
I’ll tell you why, but if I repeat
My command to step out clear and strong
Don’t debate with me while in the street
Such debates will not last very long
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply.
Summary: Jason highlights the divergence of left and right world views resulting from living in separate information bubbles.
Singers: Jason, Frank, Eric, Rachel, Lamar, Elaine, Florence
Reference Song(s):
Night in Tunisia – Chaka Kahn
Intro (Jason)
There was a time we all got the same facts
From just three channels on TV
The same information, data, and stats
That we all could see and agree
Now we have thousands of sources for news
With hundreds added by the day
From the vetted trustworthy, sane, and true
To the full on batshit cray-cray
We choose information sources to track
Not based on what’s true or what’s real
Or whether the info is really fact
But rather how it makes us feel
Chorus (Jason)
We want our facts with that flavor
That tribe members crave and savor
But taste bitter to our rivals
Just give us info we favor
None that deviate or waiver
From the party line, and the tribal.
Gimme that partisan kool-aid,
Echo chamber hard lemonade.
That fully biased gin and juice
Groupthink vodka and Gatorade
Fill my cup, I am not afraid
Gimme that good ol’ tribal truth
[Speaking] (Jason)
OK let’s try this out. Red Tribe – gimme some good ol’ tribal truth about whether the 2020 election was fair or rigged. Hit me!
Verse 1 (Frank)
Good God, the truth is just as clear as day
The election was just a fraud
It was rigged, stolen and taken away
By forces at home and abroad
You got big city folks who like to cheat
Stuffing ballots late in the night
When no one else is in the counting suite
To make sure votes are counted right
Verse 2 (Eric)
You got deep state actors with foreign ties
Billionaire backers with the means
All working with the big tech cyber spies
Switching votes in voting machines
You got thousands of these fake votes mailed in
And illegal aliens too
Casting fake ballots that China flew in
Using paper made with bamboo
Verse 3 (Frank)
You got Venezuela involved as well
The details are not quite resolved
Don’t know why or how, only time will tell
But we’re damn sure they were involved.
You got piles of evidence, tons of facts
If you take all the cheating out
Take all fake and fraudulent ballots back
Trump won that election, no doubt.
Verse 4 (Rachel)
Trump had bigger rallies, told better jokes
Had the best people backing him
Christians, conservatives, blue collar folks
Even God wanted Trump to win
The only way he lost to Sleepy Joe
Was through fraud but that won’t endure
All will be exposed, and we all will know
The election was rigged for sure
[Speaking] (Jason)
Now that’s what I’m talking about!
Chorus (Jason)
That was that partisan kool-aid,
Echo chamber hard lemonade.
That fully biased gin and juice
Groupthink vodka and Gatorade
Fill my cup, I am not afraid
That was that good ol’ tribal truth
[Speaking] (Jason)
OK, Blue Team – Give me some good ol’ Tribal Truth on the 2020 Election. Fair or rigged?
Verse 5 (Florence)
Good God, the truth is not tribal on this
The truth is just truth if you’re sane
But if you’re sick with the MAGA virus
Real truth can’t survive in you brain
Biden beat Trump the election was fair.
So said Trump’s own favorite daughter
So said Trump’s VP, Trump’s campaign chair
Trump staffers and White House lawyers
Verse 6 (Florence)
So said the cybersecurity guy
Who said it was the most secure
So said the DOJ, the FBI
And so said Bill Barr to be sure
So said the polls before the election
With Biden up 4 points or more
So, what’s with all the fake consternation
When he wins the pop vote by 4?
Verse 7 (Lamar)
So said the electoral college vote
When multiple recounts were through
Biden whupped Trump’s ass ‘til the paddle broke 306 to 232
Trump challenged the results in court and tried Sixty times but in every case
The judge, even ones Trump appointed cried
“Get this bullshit outta my face”
Verse 8 (Lamar)
So said the fifty governors who signed
The official certified slates
Of electors officially assigned
To reflect the votes from each state
So said congress at three in the morning
When they confirmed Biden had won
After the Jan 6 capital storming
And Trump’s attempted coup was done.
Verse 9 (Elaine)
Trump knows he lost and the process was fair
His ego’s too frail to concede
So he pulled this big lie out of thin air
That you Trump zombies now believe.
Or maybe you’re not Trump zombies at all
Maybe he lost and you know it
But because of your own egos and gall
You pretend to buy his bullshit
Verse 10 (Elaine)
You pretend that Rudi Guliani and
Sydney Powell and Mike Lindell
Two wingnut lawyers and the pillow man
Are not batshit cray cray as hell
You pretend that your core values are strong
But you betray them by the hour
Selling your souls to help and go along
With Trump’s schemes to stay in power.
Your undying support for this man makes
Every one of you a disgrace
Whether hapless zombies or cunning snakes
You’re all shameless in either case.
[Speaking] (Jason)
Ooooo we! That tribal truth had some kick to it.
Chorus (Jason)
We want our facts with that flavor
That tribe members crave and savor
But taste bitter to our rivals
Just give us info we favor
None that deviate or waiver
From the party line, and the tribal.
Gimme that good ol’ tribal truth!
[Speaking] (Jason)
Okay Red Team. How ‘bout some Tribal Truth on the January 6th capital incident? Was it an attempted coup? A peaceful patriotic protest? A peaceful protest that turned into a riot? A false flag operation by the FBI and ANTIFA? Lay it on me!
Verse 11 (Frank)
January sixth is Patriots Day
Because patriots chose to fight
Against a deep state plot to take away
Our votes, our freedoms, our rights.
It was peaceful until the FBI
Unleashed their cruel subversive plan
To incite a riot and then stood by
As the protest got out of hand
Hundreds were locked up by the DOJ
Despite the lawful protections
Of their clear first amendment right to say
They reject stolen elections
[Speaking] (Jason)
Yea baby. That was grain alcohol grade tribal truth. That’ll put some hair on your chest.
Blue team – January 6 – hit me!
Verse 12 (Florence)
January six was a coup attempt
By desperate men who set out
To subvert democracy in contempt
Of what this country is about
From the day the voters expressed their will
Telling Trump he must step aside
He and his enablers conspired to kill
Democracy to spare his pride
He sold the big fat election fraud lie
And with help from Fox news trolls
GOP leaders and the pillow guy,
The Trump zombies swallowed it whole
Verse 13 (Lamar)
They rallied at the appointed hour
And Trump told them to fight like hell
To do violence to keep him in power
And they followed his orders well
They assaulted cops they claimed to support
Then some who were hard core scumbags
Sullied the sacred legislative court
With shit and confederate flags
We almost lost the republic that day
To Trump and his mad fascist cult
That’s why they will spend years locked away
A just and most fitting result.
[Speaking] (Jason)
Ok lets do lightning round shots of single verse tribal truth.
First round – describe President Joe Biden the man. Blue team – go!
Verse 14 (Left)
(Elaine)Too old, (Florence)too centrist, (Lamar)but still a good man
(Elaine)) Too chummy with the other side
(Florence)Too much of a big tech, big business fan
(Lamar) But willing to find compromise
[Speaking] (Jason)
Red Team – Joe Biden, the man – hit me!
Verse 15 (Right)
(Eric) Morally bankrupt and corrupt as hell
(Frank) Puppet of the radical left
(Rachel)He’s old, incompetent, and weak as well
(Eric) Six months to live, (Frank) a year at best
[Speaking] (Jason)
Purple Team – Joe Biden, the man. Go!
Verse 16 (Center)
(Clara) He’s old but basically a decent guy
(Clayton) He’s old but seems to get things done
(Cristy) He’s old but effectively getting by
(Craig) He’s way old – pushing 81.
[Speaking] (Jason)
OK second round – Joe Biden domestic performance as president the past two years.
Blue Team – Hit me!
Verse 17 (Left)
(Elaine) He got us the vaccine in record time
(Florence) Got the spread of Covid slowing
(Lamar) Got an infrastructure bill passed and signed
Kept the economy growing
[Speaking] (Jason)
Red Team – Tribal Truth!
Verse 18 (Right)
(Eric) He let Fauci shut the whole country down
Then paid people not to work
Inflation spiked, the economy drowned
And he let crime rates go berserk
[Speaking] (Jason)
Third round – Joe Biden foreign policy. Blue Team – Hit me!
Verse 19 (Florence)
He ended the war in Afghanistan
After twenty long years of pain
United NATO against Putin and
Stopped him from annexing Ukraine
[Speaking] (Jason)
Red Team – What cha got?!
Verse 20 (Frank)
He got marines killed in Afghanistan
By rushing them out in a week
He betrayed allies when he cut and ran
Like a coward in full retreat
As for Putin invading the Ukraine
That’s Biden’s fault, too, I’m afraid
Sleepy Joe was seen as old, weak, and lame
So Putin felt free to invade
[Speaking] (Jason)
OK, I’ve got a serious buzz now, so I’ll let that be the last shot of Tribal Truth. I’m closing the bar.
Chorus (Jason)
We want our facts with that flavor
That tribe members crave and savor
But taste bitter to our rivals
Just give us info we favor
None that deviate or waiver
From the party line, and the tribal.
Gimme that partisan kool-aid,
Echo chamber hard lemonade.
That fully biased gin and juice
Groupthink vodka and Gatorade
Fill my cup, I am not afraid
Gimme that good ol’ tribal truth
Yeah gimme that good ol’ tribal truth!
Summary: Red and Blue teams define the other as extreme and out of touch.
Singers: Florence, Lamar, Frank, Eric
Reference Song(s):
Caught Up in You – 38 Special
Hold on Loosely – 38 Special
Time for Me to Fly – REO Speedwagon
Verse 1 (Florence)
I never liked what you people stood for
But at least you talked a good game
On rule of law, family values, and more
But now that charade’s up in flames
Whatever principles you use to claim
Are gone and what drives you is clear
It’s not rule of law, not values, not shame
You’re driven by anger and fear
Anger toward people who push for change
And demand equality too
People you think are unworthy or strange
Cause they don’t look or think like you
Anger that the new American dream
Is achieved more by being bright,
Global, progressive, tech savvy, and green,
Than being Christian, straight, or white.
Chorus (Florence)
You’re gone, you’re too much, you’re unsound,
You’re gone, out of touch, out of bounds,
You’re gone you’re out of line
You’re gone, too far this time
You’re gone, you’re out of your mind
Verse 2 (Lamar)
You fear you’re losing your right to retain
The reigns of power and control
You fear democracy’s a losing game
So you’re ready to let that go
You’ll trade it in for a national cult
A new fascist dictatorship
To hell with valid election results
Fair play and good citizenship
To hell with trusting in institutions
Authorities and the elite
To hell with the courts and constitution
When they block your attempts to cheat
To hell with the shame of selling your soul
And your faith in democracy
Now all you’ve got is a big angry hole Where love of country used to be
Chorus (Left)
You’re gone, you’re too much, you’re unsound,
You’re gone, out of touch, out of bounds,
You’re gone you’re out of line
You’re gone, too far this time
You’re gone, you’re out of your mind
Verse 3 (Florence)
You’ve abandoned all that you used to be
Out of deep resentment, and spite
Now you do what feeds your need to aggrieve
Rather than what is best, or right
Now here’s the key imperative for you
Your primary rule and that is
Above all else, in what you say and do
Try to trigger and own the libs
So now you make it a point to deny
Everything the libs believe in
Like truth and exposing Trump for his lies
His corruption and deceiving
You’ve become science-denying misfits
You embrace weird conspiracies
You vote for liars, nut jobs and nihilists
Who lose and refuse to concede
You talk about draining the swamp, and yet
You vote for known grifters and crooks
You claim you’re defending freedom and yet
You ban abortion and burn books
Chorus (Left)
You’re gone, you’re too much, you’re unsound,
You’re gone, out of touch, out of bounds,
You’re gone, you’re out of line
You’re gone, too far this time
You’re gone, you’re out of your minds
Verse 4 (Frank)
We’re not crazy and we’re not out of touch
We’re not fearful, not full of spite
We’ve just put up with you all long enough
And we just stopped being polite
We’re tired of you putting this country down
It’s boring, annoying, and sad
How you bad mouth its founding, and you frown
On its history, anthem, and flag
We’re tired of you enjoying the fruits
Of our founding fathers’ vision
While you complain it’s evil at its roots
With your scorn and your derision
You look down your nose at all the things
That make real America great
Like real heartland Americans
Small town values, and Christian faith
Chorus (Frank)
You’re gone, you’re too much, you’re unsound,
You’re gone, out of touch, out of bounds,
You’re gone, you’re out of line
You’re gone, too far this time
You’re gone, you’re out of your minds
Verse 5 (Eric)
We’re tired of you people whining about
How bad this country is for you
So pack up your crap, and get the hell out
Move to where all your dreams come true.
Find a place where the race in power
Takes more of your crap than we do
Where liberal elites in ivory towers
Wield as much power as you do
Find a place where the trannies and the gays
Are freer than they are out here
And have more rainbow flags and pride parades
To participate in each year
Find a place where lowlife thugs and zeros
Living lives as failures and flops
Are worshipped as saints and heroes
‘Cause they were black and killed by cops
Bridge (Eric)
Find a place that’s not a shithole nation
Where black people get an invitation
To do poorly in school
Break all the rules
End up looking like fools
And then blame it on discrimination
Find a place where in one generation
A black foreigner’s son can lead the nation
Show blacks for eight years
To overcome black fears
Straighten up and change gears
But instead blacks whine for reparations
Find a place and move to that new nation
Where you can indulge your fascination
With multicultural stuff
And whites won’t get fed up
And say enough’s enough
Good luck with your travel preparations
Chorus (Right)
You’re gone, you’re too much, you’re unsound,
You’re gone, out of touch, out of bounds,
You’re gone, you’re out of line
You’re gone, too far this time
You’re gone, you’re out of your minds
Verse 6 (Elaine)
We’re not leaving, no matter what you say
This country is not just for you
It was built by the blood and sweat of slaves
It belongs to black people too
Verse 7 (Eric)
If it belongs to you then act like it
Either you own it or you don’t
Real owners take pride in their ownership
You blacks should do that, but you won’t
Verse 8 (Elaine)
How the hell do you know what black folks need
When you kill us for ownership
You’re not proud of this country or its creed
You’re proud of your whiteness, that’s it
Verse 9 (Eric)
Blacks don’t like this country, y’all got no class
Y’all only got bad things to say
Kill twice as many whites as whites kill blacks
Then bitch about whites every day
Verse 10 (Elaine / Eric)
(Elaine) You’re a weak racist soldier wannabe
(Eric) You’re a half breed sexual freak
(Elaine) You’re on my last nerve keep on testin’ me
(Eric) I’m here seven days of the week
Summary: Panelists decry the intense incivility of current political discourse and advocate unity through recognition and celebration of our common culture, desires, and causes.
Cast singers: All
Turn it Down (Demo)
Lyrics by Alan Jeskin
Music by Ethan Algazi
Vocals by Ethan Algazi and Amanda Dayhoff
Verse 1 (Cristy)
When conversations turn, and angry voices rise
When passions start to burn and civil discourse dies
Opinions give way to blows
And we choose violence over prose
It might be time to stop and look within
When the tribes go tribal, with the lust for strife and war
When diatribes and rivalries devolve into slurs and gore
We turn from cordial to profane
All that follows is grief and pain
When there’s nothing left to lose or gain
It’s up to us to choose to…
Chorus (Clayton / Cristy)
(Clayton) Turn it down
(Cristy) Turn down the static, the tension, the stress
(Clayton) Turn it down
(Cristy) Turn down the anger that makes us regress
(Clayton) Turn it down
(Cristy) Turn down the clamor and strife
(Clayton) Turn it down
(Cristy) Hear the sweeter sounds of life
(Clayton and Cristy) Turn it down, won’t you please turn it down
Verse 2 (Clayton)
When we’re compelled to fight, because it’s life or death
It’s your duty and your right ’til your dying breath
To fight for people’s lives that way
Go as hard and loud as you may
But if it’s just debate, it’s just debate
Debate with heartfelt give and take
Where no one’s life’s at stake
There’s no impending doom in store
It shouldn’t be worth bleeding for, so…
Chorus (Clayton / Cristy)
(Clayton) Turn it down
(Cristy) Turn down the static, the tension, the stress
(Clayton) Turn it down
Turn down the anger that makes us regress
(Clayton) Turn it down
(Cristy) Turn down the clamor and strife
(Clayton) Turn it down
(Cristy) Hear the sweeter sounds of life
(Claton and Cristy) Turn it down, won’t you please turn it down
Bridge A (Clara and Craig)
(Clara) We share so much more in common
Than things that tear us apart
The ties that bind us all together
Connect us each from heart to heart
(Craig) We all share a common country
Common language, common creed
Common pursuit of happiness
And common desire to succeed
Bridge B (Lamar and Rachel)
(Lamar) We all support the folks who serve
With honor in harms way
So we can live secure in peace
And prosper every day
(Rachel) We’ve seen ourselves as a nation
Do great things and swell with pride
As tears well up when Ray Charles sings
Oh beautiful for spacious skies
Bridge C (Florence and Frank)
(Florence) We all live to see our children
Start as babies with eager eyes
Grow in safety, joy, and laughter
Then move on their own and thrive
(Frank) We all share the fortune to live
At a time and in a place
Where we’re bound more by ideas
Than by ethnicity or race
Verse 3 (Elaine and Eric)
(Eric) Yet we ignore the common ground
Forgo a future bright
Promote the half-truths and confound
What’s easy with what’s right
We go tribal over trifling things
Ignoring that the conflict brings
More misery than anything
It’s enough to lose your mind
If we must be tribal
then can we at least agree
That for our own survival
It’s imperative for us all to be
whether white or black or brown
Or bi or straight or gay
Members of one single tribe
Tribe USA
Chorus (All)
(All minus Jason) Turn it down
(Jason) Turn down the static, the tension, the stress
(All minus Jason) Turn it down
(Jason) Turn down the anger that makes us regress
(All minus Jason) Turn it down
(Jason) Turn down the clamor and the strife
(All minus Jason) Turn it down
(Jason) Hear the sweeter sounds of life
(All minus Jason) Turn it down, won’t you please turn it down.