The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #129781   Message #2915888
Posted By: Fred McCormick
28-May-10 - 06:35 AM
Thread Name: Origins: In Contempt. Who Wrote It ?
Subject: Origins: Contempt. Who Wrote It ?
Contempt is a song which grew out of the McArthyite era in the USA. Given one or two possible alterations on my part, the text is as below. Does anyone know who wrote it?

Build high build wide your prison walls
That there be room enough for all
Who hold you in contempt, build wide
That all the land he locked inside.

Though you have seized the valiant few
whose glory cast a shade on you
How can you now go home with ease
Jangling your heavy dungeon keys.

The birds that still insist on song
The sunlit streams still running strong
The flowers blazing red and blue
Oh all are in contempt of you.

When you have seized the moon and sun
And trapped the poems one by one
And jailed each trouble making breeze
Then you can throw away your keys.