As a result of popular demand (or maybe in spite of it), I am publishing the Election Shanty composed during our 7 hour car trip from Washington, DC to the NOMAD Festival in Newtown CT this weekend, This fine work of historical and political significance was debuted by 'Catters KWestra, lamarca, Sandy Paton, Liam's Brother and a host of others at Sandy and Dan's Chorus Songs workshop, and inflicted shared with many more at the Satuday night Shanty Blast. It's got a short shelf life (we hope), so enjoy!

AN ELECTION SHANTY
(to the tune of "Roll the Woodpile Down")

1. Way down south where the palm trees grow
Way down in Florida
They say elections sure are slow.
And we'll hold the recount now.

Chorus: Polling, polling, they're polling the whole state round;
*That ballot of mine they will never find
And we'll hold the recount now.

2. Gore's campaign aides made a final push
To round up voters to beat the Bush.

Chorus

3. Some punched for Bush, some punched for Gore;
Some punched for two or three or more.

Chorus

4. Pat said "Those votes weren't meant for me,
I'd be glad if I got three!"

Chorus (2nd line changes) *Those voters of mine crossed the Palm Beach line

5. Reverend Jesse says "No fair!
They won't let my people vote down there."

Chorus (2nd line changes) *That brown gal of mine got kicked out of line

6. The lawyers'll fight over who gets sued
But either way, guess who gets screwed?

Chorus: Polling, polling, they're polling the whole state round;
*That ballot of mine they will never find
And we'll hold the recount now.

Ó2000 by The Civil Serpents (Kathy Westra, Mary LaMarca and George Stephens)