I'd say that might be a direct quote from a real life journal inserted by someone, since the song is based on a true story. Very likely John Warner, who might have thought it isn't really needed and holds up the song.

I don't think the prerogative to change a song just rests with the person who wrote it. (I can't see any problem in making "government" scan - depends how you pronounce it, I tend to say guv'ment, but with a slight vocalisation where that ' is.)