Lyr Req: Alt. last verse 'They're Taking It Away'

Subject: Lyr Req: Alt. last verse 'They're Taking It Away'
From: SeaCanary
Date: 16 Feb 17 - 07:37 PM

The last verse to "They're Taking It Away" goes like this:

So if you've health and wealth and wisdom stop and spare a thought today
For those who don't and those who can't, there is no other way
For we might as well give up the ghost and join the USA
For there won't be any difference when they take it all away

This was written from a Canadian's point of view. Has anyone else written one from American's point of view?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Alt. last verse 'They're Taking It Away'
From: RTim
Date: 16 Feb 17 - 09:13 PM

Song by Ian Robb - of Ottawa and Finest Kind.

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Alt. last verse 'They're Taking It Away'
From: SeaCanary
Date: 21 Apr 17 - 08:51 PM

The last verse is from a Canadian's point of view. Has anyone written a version from an American's point of view?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Alt. last verse 'They're Taking It Away'
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 22 Apr 17 - 08:04 AM

Having outed this song again recently, from the response received it seems that last verse might almost have been written from a UK citizen's point of view... At the risk of peddling a now rather well-worn cliche, I don't think any American could "trump" it !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Alt. last verse 'They're Taking It Away'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Apr 17 - 12:36 AM

Full lyrics are in this thread (click)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Alt. last verse 'They're Taking It Away'
From: CupOfTea
Date: 23 Apr 17 - 09:13 AM

I asked this same question on Facebook, when Ian Robb was touting a John Roberts concert (oh would I have loved to hear the after hours singing there!), to have John ask him because I had been wanting to sing an Americanized version. I know John had been doing some topical material when touring with Deb Cowan. I was delighted to get this direct response from Ian Robb:

"Joanne, as far as I'm concerned, the song was written to be rewritable and adaptable to different situations. As long as the looney right doesn't purloin it for some nefarious cause, my permission is a given, though it's always nice to be asked, so I know who's singing it!. It's been sung all over, most recently in Devon, UK, where they're closing hospitals."

So, time to sharpen my wit and figure it out for myself!

Joanne in Cleveland

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Alt. last verse 'They're Taking It Away'
From: CupOfTea
Date: 07 Jun 17 - 05:58 PM

After thinking on it for myself, I Americanized some of the references "Wall Street" as suggested in "Rise Again" and thinking on all the current events that prompted me to NEED to sing this song, my last verse contribution is:

So if you've health and wealth and wisdom stop and spare a thought today
For those who don't and those who can't, there is no other way
For if we don't get out and vote to save the U. S. A.
There won't be a Constitution when they take it all away

Been singing this around, complete with the advisory that the chorus is a relentless ear worm.

Joanne in Cleveland.