Overview

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.  

Titles

1 – Turn it Up!


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! 

2 – Make it Happen with Your Vote


Summary: Chery centrists extol the importance and significance of voting to preserve health of democracy.

Singers: Cristy, Clayton, Clara, Craig

Reference Song(s):

‘96,000’ (In the Heights (time 4:20 and forward)

‘The Schulyer Sisters’ – Hamilton (time 2:10 and beyond)

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!

3 – Go Tribal


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)

4 – Ambition in a Pantsuit and Heels


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

 

5 – 22 weeks


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.

6 – Not Enough


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!

7 – The Flow


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!

8 – Madness


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

9 – Turn it Up! (Reprise)


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!

10 – What’s Wrong with You?


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?

11 – Just Comply


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.

12 – Tribal Truth


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!

13 – You’re Gone


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

14 – Turn it Down


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.